The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-03-30
He read and reread this precious epistle, and
was utterly cast down?

n young BlEl dlIuOSJ Culll, euJtIcu SOAblg1 DuO
seeing the artist so prostrated, and evidently
under the shadow of some great afiliction,
stopped suddenly and said in timid voice:
81 beg pardon, NJ. Georges, am intruding."
The painter looked up and saw his model, to
whom everybody had given the name of Rose
Misere.
"Oh it's you," he said; "what do you wish ~
"Mon Dieul NJ. Georges came to see If
you wanted me-"
"No, not just now. am painting at present"
"Oh I'm sorry ~ replied Rose, gently.
Neither spoke for moment. Then, going up
to him, and after having taken long look at
the stricken artist, she added:
"You are in trouble, NJ. Georges"
Georges made no answer. He crushed Julia's
letter in his hand and made significant gesture
that Rose understood.
81 am going" she said, walking slowly
toward the door, and signing deeply as she re-
treated
"rm sorry, so sorry"
"Come, Rose,' said the artist, somewhat
aroused from his lethargy by the girls evident
sympathy. "Speak Do you want anythingr
1t is no reason because am in trouble that you
should not tell me. Speak, my child, and let
me know what can do for YOU"
"Well, then," answered Rose, 81 came to see
whether you could advance me twenty francs
| on my sittings-business is poor just now. |
thought you wouldn't mind my coming to you
for this little service, but see that chose the
wrong time. l am going. Adieu, NJ. Georges;
another day will do just as we'll. I'm sorry
troubled you. If had known'--
Georges rose, felt in his pockets, and brought
forth several louis, which he held out.
"Here, Rose you have always been good
,rir1 T oil a5 ,,1ita ior hill Tal,a
the money; don't want It,"
Then suddenly recollectng, he added quickly:
"At least 1 shan't need it at present 1 may go
away for while, and one never knows what
may happen. If l don't return you will keep
it in remembrance of me-"
Rose looked at him intently, and with
woman's instinct she exclaimed: "M Georges,
you mean to kill yourself ?''
'I ?' replied the painter, trying to smile.
"You are mad, Rose. Why should 1 want to
die?n
Because you are not happy. Oh I've seen
it. saw what was coming. But, NJ Georges
she isn't here any longer, let me stay with you
and be your little housekeeper. Then you'll have
your model always with you. I'll take great
care of the studio. 1t shall always be neat and
clean, and your dinner shall always be ready for
you when you come home. l won't ask any
wages" she added, blushing little, ''and 1
will be as still as mouse, and you shan't hear
me moving around. / won't disturb you. You
don't want me ~
'Thanks, Rose," said Georges, holding out
his hand to her; ''thanks, but l must be alone.
Adieu, my child"
Rose turned pale. 'Adieu," she answered,
struck by the artists singular manner
"No, mean 'Au revoir ? Au revoir Rose.''
The little model gave the unfortunate painter
a glance full of tenderness and devotion, and as
the door closed behind her she murmured to
herself, as she wiped her eyes: "Oh how happy
could have made him."
III.
) Left alone, Georges carefully locked the door
sat down near the candle, and gave Julia's letter
. last perusa. The reading ended, he was
about to press it to his lips, when he suddenly
, changed his mind and tore it in pieces, which
l he threw from him. Then he poured forth tt
the silent walls all the misery that was crushing
him.
'sNo enough of weakness-of cowardice!
am ashamed of myself. Let me make an enc
; Of it, What has my life been but long mar
!, ,, tyrdom? L never had any happy childhood
My mother died in giving me birth, as if sh'
, foresaw, poor woman, that she was only usher
ing me into life that might know the full
meaning of struggles and privation. l hav'
fought desperately. l did not faint on goinl
into battle The art love SO entirely has onl.
i furnished me enough to keep me from dying
: scarcely enough to insure my living. / adorec
that woman. made her my wife, She leave
me 1t is enough-it is too much To avoiC
years of suffering, what is needed? Only
, moments courage. Well 1 have decided
! last adieu to annoyances, to deceit-to kisse
4 given and never returned. Adieu to tears, t.
y life AS they say in the museums, Gentlemen
9 it is closing time Yes, but how shall l close {?
l. He mechanically rolled cigarette, while h
5 glanced around him. His mind was now mad
up and, weary with the long and unavailin
contest with adverse fate, he sought the mean
c of giving effect to his resolution.
II must find nail, - he thought, "and goo
F" stout one. l am not anxious to prolong tn
{ agony"
His glance was arrested by magnificen
y canvas by Rembrandt suspended from the wal
Il by an enormous hook. The picture had bee
G sent to him to copy. He slowly took down tn
painting and carefully placed it on an easel
IS Then he searched in the drawers for stron
cord that would bear his weight, and when h
u had found 1t rubbed it sedulously with soaI
While making these mournful preparations h
e kept his eyes fixed on the work of the Dutc
Is master-his favorite artist.