The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-07-30
HISS ME7HUEN'O MASTERPIECE.
PART I.

1t was O'Clock in the afternoon, an
hour at which NJ. Fusain's studio, in the
Rue Capoullet at Brussels, was wont to
be given up TO solitude and silence, when
nothing remained of his large class OF
lady students save the unfinished work
on a couple of dozen easels and drawing
boards. The work thus displayed was
very seldom ambitious, for NJ. Fusain's
class was fashionable rather than hard
working. As to the notice which hung
over the stove-that the studio was free
to any student who cared TO avail herself
OF the light and the casts between the
hours Of 2and any afternoon-the priv
ilege it offered was very little appreciated
by the young ladies who assembled there
in the morning and dispersed punctually
as the stroke of noon sounded from the
Porte de Hal.
On this particular afternoon, however,
the studio was neither solitary nor silent.
Some one was working there, and that
some one was not alone. So much was
evident from the sounds which foated
now and then across the courtyard to the
yeranda, where NJ. Eusain sat smoking
with q friend.
do you know who that is in the ate
without waiting for an answer, he COM
Jinued: TT is my new pupil, Miss Meth
uen, your cousin"
The grave face of NJ. Fusain's compan-
ion did not evince much interest in this
announcement. He pulled once or twice
at his cigar; then, as he removed it from
his lips TO knock of the ash, he said,
slowly:
Indeed"
''And this,' proceeded NJ Fusain, in
no wise rebufed, lis the third afternoon
she has been here within ten days. She
has begun to model head Of Nine. Van
der Heyden, the noted beauty, you know.
She is doing ii in relief; it was her own
idea"
"Indeed,' said the other again; then he
added, after pause: "a harmless amuse-
ment for both of them"
My dear de Lastrin,' began the mas
er, Il assure you your cousin is not
merely amusing herself''
1t sounds like it,' rejoined de Las
trim, as peal OF silvery laughter reached
their ears.
"Ah, well, she's seriously at work for
all that. She has talent, too-the family
talent, you know. De Lastrin, l could
make an artist out Of the stuff in that
girl.'
De Lastrin smiled somewhat contempt
uously.
81 doubt if you could,' he answered.
''even granting that she has the talent
you give her credit for, which, mind you,
l don't deny, for 1 know absolutely moth
ing OF her powers. Whatever they may
be, however, she has not come here with
the idea Of being schooled into an artist.
1t Is quite as much the fashion IN Lon
don as IN Brussels to go in for a little
artist culture. The Methuens are very
fashionable people. OF course, as they
are Wlntering in Brussels, my cousin at
tends your classes; but, when she goes
pack TO London next spring to be pre-
sented at court and to make her appear
ance in society, she will have no room in
her home and no time in her day for
easels and modelling boards. She will
carry nothing away from here but little
art JargOn, Smattering of anatomy, and
9 deluSiOn that she knows something of
studio life, which will make good show
in conversation whenever such topics are
on the carpet. And that will probably
be the sum total of my Cousin Dora's
artistic career"
NJ. Fusain looked at his friend for
few seconds in silence; there was hui
1norous twinkle in his deep-set gray
eyes,
YIye the disappointment [ only said I
could make an artist of her; / didn't say I
meant TO try. Why should / when | have
such warning before me as yourself
by the way, mon ami, are you painting
now or are you nOJ!''
De Lastrin shook his head.
II thought not" went on the msster.
II thought so from the expression of
your face. Yet year ago, when YOU
built that new studio, you Were so full of
good resolutions. Remember all YOU
said then, and all you let me say to
YOU"
Il remember it," replied de Lastrin:
but talking didn't change my nature.
I'm like the King of Israel in the Bible,
only, unfortunately, I have not yet found
the shepherd harpist who can beguile my
meIancholy.p
My dear fellow" cried his friend,
you have the remedy in YOURSELF
"Fusain,'' broke in the other. stdon't
waste your breath on admonishing me; I
know all you can say. You have said it
many times; and do you think 1 have not
said it to myself as many more? But it is
no use; ] am as l am. / have the unfor-
nate disposition to desire continually a
new stimulus to detect conventionality in
every relation of life; to feel the stereo-
typed monotony of modern society and
modern culture so irksome that I long to
break loose from it ALL
And because you can't break loose
from 1t all, interrupted Fusain, ''be-
cause certain conditions-chiedy your
position as head of one of the Oldest iami-
lies in Flanders-keep you in a fixed
orbit and give you definite duties, YOU
weakly allow your energies to be paral-
yzed by what you young fellows cal. the
spleen. Ny dear de Lastrin, lose pa
thence with you. You have everything
That man might desire-rank, fortune,
talents, good looks-and yet 1 should
say, not the poorest gamin in the streets
OF BRUSSELS gets less real pleasure out of
his lie than you do"
told you to spare your admonitions,"
said de Lastrin. 81 should have thought
you understood my case by this time. Do
you .thlnksls encourage my fits of spleen?
DO you think am proud of the peculiar
1ty which makes the whole world dismal
to me and me dismal to the whole world?
everything IS old and decrepit, and am
the oIdest-I don't count by years-and
most decrepit thing in existence. fl
couldn't come and growl to you | should
have no soiace lett. AS to painting-how
can paint in such a mood?''
The artist smiled pityingly.
And when the day eomes," he asked.
that You weary Of me, as you weary Of
all things"
1T won't come; selfishness will stave it
OIL. The only quality Of my own have
faith in is my selfishness."
Then there was a silence, broken only
by the sounds from the studio oU.osite
where artist and model had evidently
another.
BY the way, Fusain," said de Lastrin
at length, I should rather like to have
a look at my cousins work il may: Won
have reused my curiosity. ] had no idea
you would think so well of her. I must
confess l have snubbed the child once or
twice when she has tried to give the con-
Versation an artistic turn
Meanwhile, In the studio among the
easels and the casts and the groups Of still
lie, the subject OF these remarks stood in
'front.' OF her model, the rich afternoon
,taE 4.,NN -