The record-union., 1892-08-06

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II came about that the second visit led to a
third, the third to a fourth, and so on,
until 1t was an established thing for NJ.
de Lastrin to inspect and criticise Miss
Methuen's work at least once a week.
My dear Dora," said Mime. Van der
Heyden, one day late in March, 'have
you really come to see me again? I was
beginning to think you had cut me-"
Don't scold me-" laughed Dora. 81
haven't meant TO neglect any one, but
4 M IN every ones black book"
so Lady Methuen told me; she ex-
! cused you by saying" there the speaker
gave searching look at her companion)
that you put your studio work before
everything. And now, my dear, will you
tell me how you mean it to end?"
How / mean what TO end?''
Don be little humhugi OF course |
speak OF your absorption in art-of de
Lastrin's interest in you-of the hours
you spend together You seem to have
brought him TO his senses very efectu-
ally according to your threat. Now
won't you tell me-1irst, how you man
aged it, and next, what the end is to be?"
1t didn't want much managing" re-
piled Miss Methuen. 1T was almost dis
appoIntedly easy. / scratched through a
veneer Of cynicism and found an artist of
the first quality MISUNDERSTANDING that,
Slmonne-a sympathetic, high-souled art
49, - AAAEA sASlOliiSA LllO NOA4Nl II IiS'
chose.''
Yes, yes, that is all very well-and
now the end Of it?"
The end will be that shall go back to
London much more accomplished per-
son than left it,"
And what will become of the poor
tame bear?a The color deepened in the
girls cheek. "ShalI you leave him with
out lealer?''
The tame bear, as you call him." re-
piled Dora, lis not so far tanned as TO miss
leader very greatly"
u should like TO have chance of judg-
ing that for myself" said the other by
the way, what is this great card that 1
nave received from the Fusains? Shall [
have TO accept"
OF course you must accept. It is NJ.
fusain's annual display Of his pupils
performances. Half Brussels is asked.
GA must be there as an admirer of
mine.p
And will de L4astrin be there, too?''
IN aturally," rejoined Dora. with an air
of conviction.
Then" replied Nine. Van der Hey
den, Il shall most certainly come as one
OF your admirers. l am sure your work
OF the last few months deserves admira-
uon, though | am not referring TO any
thing which NJ. t'usain viii enter on his
catalogue, but to something which l shall
y
ems Masterpiece.
NJ. Fusain's annual soiree was the last
private event of any Importance, and this
year 1t was to be unusually large. 4 pa
pal such as Miss Methuen, and the progress
she had made, nominally under his guild
ance, was the best recommendation his
studio could set forth. On the night in
question, therefore, the masters rooms
were iuIl to overlooking with a mixed
medley OF smart folks and folks very far
from smart, artists and art students-the
hrst denomination being so much in the
minority that Nine. Van der Heyden, ar
irving late and working her way through
the crush, found scarcely one con-
genial spirit until she came across Dora,
who stood in front OF her last painting,
listening TO long speech from celebrat-
ed BRUSSELS portrait painter. The artist
bowed and went away
Pupil and work. said Mime. Van der
Heyden. But where is the master?''
There" said the girl, sin the doorway
talking to the Princess de Chimay."
Simonne laughed.
Il didn't mean Fusain," she said. "Of
course. | was asking after de Lastrin.
Why isn't he here-tOr he isn't
How should l know?' rejoined Dora,
with a touch of petulance.
1t was not the first time during the
evening that she had had to answer this
question.
1t was not easy to conceal a certain feel
ing OF pique as the evening wore on, and
1t had py degrees been made plain to her
that the various little scenes which she
had rehearsed for the astonishment of
those who had never seen de Lastrin un-
bend would not be enacted after all. He
had accepted the invitation-that she
knew. He had spoken to her of coming,
and she felt his absence almost as pub
lie slight.
well, if Pm not to see the performance
of the tame bear l shall withdraw" said
Nine. Van der Heyden. 81 consider that
Hye been swindled of an hour Of valuable
time. There's no one here except your
self, now the Princess has gone. Will
you come with me?''
How can n" said Dora, pettishly.
1.-The pupils will not be expected to 90
until far later"
Then she withdrew into a little cur
tanned alcove, from which she could see
without being observed. She was watch
ing and waiting Tor nothing, she tried to
persuade herself, except for the people to
go and for the evening to be over. Pres
entity two artists paused near her,
Quite feather in Fusain's cap" said
the one.s
II don't know about that" replied the
other. Il hear that de Lastrin has been
the real MASTER"
"De Lastriu" cried the first incredu
ously.
Yes. l had it on the best authority
from Mime. Fusain herself"
We'll, upon nay word! What whim
will he fix on next? Fancy him form
ing, young lady student"
Yes; and the joke is that Nine. Flu
saln looked quite knowing over it, as
if-'
Then they both laughed.
HOW unspeakably comic!'' was the
reply. Mime. Fusain always was a
ridiculous person."
Then they moved away.
30 that was how people spoke of her,
was II, Ghought Miss Methuen. How dare
they! These men who talked so slight
lngIy OF her cousins whims-were they
worthy to clean his palette for him? And
as TO NINE. FusalnS surmiseS they were
mpertinent-that she admitted rid
lculous. What was there SO ridiculous in
the fact that she had reused powerful
soul from the torpor that had fallen on
IL? After all, had it not been her mis-
sion? Was not that proved by the foot
Ing on Which her cousin had placed her
with himself?
And then Miss Methuen found herself
framing dozen excuses for his absence
on this great occasion. He was wise to
have staid away. 1t had been an unut-
tera6Iy dull evening. She would 90 ayay
herself. There was nothing TO stay for.
She had more than her share of compIi-
ments. Then, as she rose, her heart gave
a great bound. She stood where She was
for moment, until she had steadied her
thoughts; then, stretching out her hand,
she said:
Il suppose you waited until the crush
was over? You were very wise.''
1T wasn't exactly for that reason re-
piled de Lastrin. Il think / only came
bee ause | felt bound, after all [ had said. -
ii spoke in preoccupied manner.
Nv ell, better late than neyer.'' She
said, gayly. But now you are come /
shall have to retail to you some OF the