The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-07-30


My dearest Dora, do 1 not know the
man? Have ] not heard him tal1?"
on have not heard him talk OF me, ]
hope?" broke in the girl.
'Oh, dear me. Ii your cousin conde-
scends to have an opinion of you he would
not vouchSafe to disclose it to me. But
one knows the pretensions he gives him
self about art, goodness knows why;
one never sees anything he has drawn OF
painted, and, moreover, is he not the
most incorrigible blase person in the
world?"
HE is a BEAR" cried Miss Methuen.
You should have heard how he answered
me when told him something about my
painting and modelling. Does he think il
cIeyer TO set up for superiority in thai
empty way?"
Mime. Van de Heyden smiled; the girl
had spoken SO warmly.
He does not appear to have much hold
on your cousinly affection" she said.
Il should think not,'' exclaimed Miss
Methuen.
And YETI continued the other, "for
all hls-shaN we call them idiosyncra-
sies?-he does manage to get hold on
some peoples affection. In faS, my
dear. should think few men in Brus-
sells have Inspired q greater number OF
hopeless passions than your cousin Gil
bert"
''Simonne," cried Miss Methuen, in
creduously. Don't romance. What
woman could be SO foolish as to even like
him? l saw. him once when he was a
boy-we have met but rarely, you know,
though our mothers are sisters-he was
detestable then, but now he is far worse.
That curt style Of his Is hateful. Do you
know, dear" here she lowered her voice
lmpressively, do you know l have
mo 10
VIII OF my oWn-to bring that man to his
senses"
Mime. Van der Heyden smiled again.
Bring de Lastrin to his senses?" she
repeated. My dearest child, do you
know the danger Of playing with edged
tools?"
''Oh, I'm not afraid of him." responded
Miss Methuen. 81 suspect he has found
that much out already, after one or two
attempts and failures to crush me by his
nigh and mighty sarcasm. And, you'll
see, If l make up mind to bring him
to bis senses, sooner or later l shall sue
ceed."
This time Mime. Van der Heyden
laughed outright.
l wish you JOY Of your undertaking,
and if by mishap it should have the eli
max [ fear, instead of the one you in
tend, come to me for consolation, dear.
OF that sort"
81 don't understand you" said Miss
Methuen. loftily. And now, Will you
kindly get into your pose again? No,
that is not quite right. Your mouth was
grave when began it, and now it's con-
torted into grin"
Pm very, sorry" replied her model,
penltentIy, but really you have 10 thank
yourself for having upset the equilibri-
um of my facial muscles"
Then there was a silence, during which
Miss Methuen worked diligently.
There" she said at length, 81 will re-
lease you now. You are perfect angel
of lOng-suffering patience, but it is in a
good cause. And don't you think I am
getting on splendidly? I really feel thor
oughly satisfied with everything in the
Notwithstanding myself. Now you must
come home and have lea with US, and tell
my mother how profitable we have spent
the afternoon. She can't forgive me. YOU
know, for preferring this musty studio to
a drive IN the Bots or a series of calIs.'
AS she talked the girl damped a cloth and
hung it over the medallion, and then pro-
ceeded to take off the long holland smock
which swathed her tall figure from neck
to feet.
~ should dearly love-" began Nine.
Van der Heyden, who was arranging her
dainty little bonnet before small look
lng-glass, 81 should dearly love to see
you set about your great task of bringing
NJ de"
Then and there she stopped abruptly,
for the studio door opened, and NJ. Flu
sain's voice from the threshold said:
"Mesdames, l bring you visitor, Mad
emoiselle, NJ. de Lastrin begs to be al
lowed TO see the medallion at which you
are working"
De Lastrin included both ladies in a
stately bow, to which his cousin replied
with a stately smile.
Il am not fit to be shaken hands with, /"
she said. 81 was just on the way to wash
the clay OIL, and fear [ cannot uncover
my medallion again to-day. You may
see 1t, however, when it is finished, /"
she added, with little air of condescen-
sion.
M. Fusain looked disappointed. NJ. de
LasCrin did not.
She wants me to insist" was his
mental comment, land / shall do no such
thing"
But, mademoiselle," began the master,
IN a tone of remonstrance, monsieur.
your cousin, is an excellent judge Of art,
as perhaps you Know. You are losing an
opportunity of q valuable criticism
Il fear, NJ. Fusain," replied Miss Meth
uen, sweetly, that have not a proper
appreciation of the value Of criticism.
Besides, it is not q critics business to
Judge unfinished work"
II cannot agree with you entirely as to
that" said de Lastrin. ''Stll," he added,
turning to the artist, 81 would not be in
discreet enough TO offer criticism where
it is not asked, and l quite understand
mademolseIe,s reluctance to show in
complete work"
All, WELL" said NJ. Fusain, reluctant
~, Il am sorry. i wanted Won to see
what she can do"
And so he shall, monsieur" reioined
the girl amiably. 81 am hoping 10 give
my friends private view on Saturday at
Ihe latest. You must come, Gilbert,U she
went on, turning to her cousin; "remem-
Der II IS an invitation, and will hear all
you have to say then"
L am infinitely obliged to you, Miss
Methuen," responded de Lastrin, grave
~. Then with another bow he followed
NJ. Fusain from the studio.
And so you ought to be infinitely
obliged" said Miss Methuen, when the
door had closed, seeing that YOU have
lear led that there is some one who re-
fuses to be patted on the back at the pleas
Qre of your lordship.''
Prologue to the great work." said M,
Van der Heyden; first scene of first act
to be given on Saturday at the latest. if
he leading gentleman is there to take his
part. My dear Dora, 1 congratulate you
so far"
Now promise me you'll come on Sat
1rday,' NJ. Fusain was saying at the
same moment, as &c Lastrin took leave
Of him.
Il won't run the chance of breaking
my word" said the other 81 won't
youch for my curiosity surviving so long.
And You know" he added with half
sneer, ''she would have gratified it now if
| had pressed the points
Then why didn'tyou press the point?u
De Lastrin shrugged his shoulders.
Can't you imagine me-" he asked.
'panderlng to the vanity of silly school
girl?"
The following day Miss Methuen and
her model were again in the studio; but
Nj. Fusain heard little talk and no la1lrh-