San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-11

III his duu u3Dl LS. Elt SEEMED 10
realize that the best work required a
steady hand and an unwsa:ied eye. Ill
took some slight credit ID myself for this
change in his methods it was not uanat-
ural, and yet | was not 50 far elated as
to feel wholly confident il woIld last
When he had put the finishing touch to
his wonderful creation would he abstain
from the dissipation and self indulgent
ldlenesS tEat was apt to follow any con-
centration on his part? liked to be-
lleve that this wOUld be the case, and as
cherished the idea It grew almost into
absolute faith.
have said that Aunt Agnes and |
were on pleasant terms; but there was
one speck on the mirror Of her serenity
which threatened at times to mar the
whole. 1t was my intimacy with Mr..
Barr. Some one had informed her-l
have no doubt it was Miss Kingsley
that he was much in my society. and
that we behaved like lovers. had
learned by this time not to allow my
awe for Aunt Agnes to prevent me from
defending myself; but found exculpa-
ton a difficult matter in this instance
on account Of the.Character of the other
offender. She styled my attitude hypo-
critical, because p1rleyed with the en-
envy. Even assuming that there was no
Irritation between us-of which she WIS
by no means coavinced-whatr right, she
asked, had |, as ueophyte of recent
standing, to be on terms of intimacy
with the arch advocate of the school of
thought most opposed to that which |
professed?
mention this in order to explain why
had of late been more chary of my
sympathy in my interviews with the
,GCist, and had given him strict orders
that he was not to send me any more
fruit and flowers. However much |
might desire his welfare, self respect
required that | should not let our
friendship become so conspicuous as to
attract general attention. 1t was short
ly after | issued this mandate that he
began the picture to which have re-
ferred; but the immediate result of my
words was fit of angry dependency.
Two days before Christmas he came to
me and said the picture would be fin
ished and ready for exhibition on Christ
mas eve, and that he wished me to see it
first of all. Would | come to his rooms
on that afternoon? As he saw Inc hest
tats he claSped his hands with SO pite-
Gus an expression that chose not to say
no. Why not after all, thought l. 1t
| was unconventional to be sure. But
matrons were out of date and supertiu-
| Gus in the artistic world.
Did not Miss Kingsley go about freely
| to studios and wherever the needs of her
| profession called her? If she were safe
from familiarity why should not be?
had strong belief in the magic circle of
respect which surrounds thoroughly re-
fined woman. If refused the artists
request | was certain to disappoint him
sorely. 1t was a small enough favor, ]
argued, to grant to one who had been
striving bravely to overcome his evil nat
ure at my instigation.
Mr. Bars studio was up seven flights
of stairs in the French roof of building
which had no elevator, and had doubt
less been chosen by him on account of
cheapness and light Breathless, paused
on the last landing on the afternoon of
the day before Christmas, and in response
to my knock was greeted by the black
beard and large eyes of the artist APP
pearing round the edge of the door As
he threw it wide open he gave Il cry Of
pleasure, singing tho, while az the top of
his lungs the air he played that evening
at Miss Kingsley's when he flung him
self down before the piano after tea,
AT last, at last, my goddess! have
prayed for this hour" he said, bowling
low.
stopped short in the middle of the
room. IF you do not wish me to leave
you instantly you must cease all such
language and unseemly conduct. Ihave
come to see your picture, Mr.. Barr"
81 will. Believe me, will. | will be
quiet as a lamb, though am so happy !
could dance a minuet with Satan and
not tire. But will obey you Do not
be uneasy. Sit here. No, here. The
light is better. There it is. Look, fin
ished! Ny masterpiece, my ideal! 1t is
CHly to lift that curtain, and | shall be
famous"
Despite his words he was jumping
about with nervous, excited gestures. |
sat in the armchair he had indicated,
and looked from him to the picture on
the easel over which a drapery was
flung. and back again to him, for an in
definable feeling of dread was coming
over me as | noted the disordered dress
and the bloodshot eyes of my strange
host. He had failed, then, to keep his
pledges; had yielded to temptation. Ny
hoped for regeneration was failure.
and all was as it used to be with him