The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-10

though did 1t myself. than the gracious
curl OF those 1.-The festoons of living
honeysuckle?n
80 Bernard was a favorite at the little
mouse IN Bedford Park. Even Bertha
liked him, and was proud of his opinion
OF Hrnests genius, though she wished he
didn't try to distract dear Ernest so much
from serious work to mere speculative
fancies.
on this particular afternoon, however,
bernard had dropped in of malice pre-
pense, and in pursuance of a deep-laid
scheme against Bertha's happiness. The
TACT Is he had been reading Browning's
Andrea del Sarto" the night before,
and. much impressed by that vigorous
dIatribe against all forms of ot-boiling
ne mad come around to put out poor Ber-
tha's smoldering kitchen fire forever.
de knew the moment had now arrived
when Ernest should be goaded on into
letting his wife and child starve for the
benefit of humanity, and he felt like a
missionary sent out on purpose by some
society for the propagation OF the esthetic
gospel to convert the poor benighted pot
boiler from the whole base cult of the
scullery pipkin
de came, indeed, at propitious mo-
inent. Ernest had just dismissed the
model who sat for the elder daughter in
his new Academy picture of ''Papa's Re-
turn," and was then engaged in adding
lew leisurely touches haphazard to little
Joan's arms as the growing baby. Papa
himself stood outside the frame not even
the worship of the Simmering saucepan
itself could induce Ernest Grey to include
in his canvas the iocund figure of the re-
gressive stockbroker.) Bernard Hume
sat down, and after the usual interchange
OF meteorological opinion drew forth
from his pocket small broWn-coVered
volume. Bertha trembled in her chair;
she knew well what was in store for
them; twas the Selections from Brown
ELECTROMAGNETIC dose for the general
public, Habitues absorb him whole in
fifteen volumes.
Il was reading piece of Browning's
last night" Bernard began tentatively;
his Andrea del Sarto'-do you know it,
Mrs. Grey? 1t impresses me immensely.
was so struck with it, indeed, that |
wanted to come round and read it over to
Ernest this afternoon. thought it might
De-well, suggestive to him in his work,
don't you know" And he glanced
askance at that hostile Bertha. So very
unreasonable OF a genius wife not to wish
to starve, with her baby in her arms, for
the sake of high art and her husband and
posterityi
Bertha nodded grudging assent; and
Bernard, drawing breath, settled down in
a chair and began to read that famous
poem, which was to act, he thought as
goad to Ernest Grey's scared artistic con-
science.
Once or twice, to be sure, Bernard
WINGED at the words ne had read-they
were so very personal:
Some women doso. Had mouth there
urged,
God and the glory; never care for gain!
ne present by the future, what is that?
Live for fame, side by side with Agnolo!
Rafael is waiting: up to God all three ~
might have done it for you. So IL seems
Perhaps not All Is as God overrules
Besides incentives come from the souls self;
The rest avail not. Why do / need You?
What wife had Rafael or has Agnolo?
In this world, who can do a thing win not:
And who would do 1t cannot, perceive
That was tolerably plain-almost rude,
he felt, now he came to readit with Bertha
actually by his side. Yet still he per-
sisted through all that magnificent special
pleading of the case for posterity and
high art against wife and children-per-
sisted to the bitter end, in spite of every
thing. He read it all out-ail, all, every
word of tive might have risen to
Rafael, you and ], land all the rest oft.
His voice quivered a little-only a little
as he poured forth those few lines:
-Four great walls in the New Jerusalem.
Melted on each side by the angels reed
For Leonard, Rafael, Agnolo, and me
To coYer-the three 1irst without wife,
While have mine. So-stili they overcome
Because there's still LucreZia-as | choose
But he read it out for all that, with ewes
CHANGING askance (at the commas) on
Berthas fiery face, and lips that trembled
with the Solemnity of the occasion.
The pot-boiler's heart was touched.
For, mind you, it's easy to touch every
artists artistic conscience. You only ask
him to do the thing he best loves doing.
When Bernard Hume ceased there was
pause Tor few minutes-a terrible
pause. 1nen Bertha SLOWLY nd
went over to her husband. In spite of
Bernard's presence she kissed him twice
on the forehead. Then she burst into
tears and rushed from the room wildly.
All that night she hardly slept. Next
morning she rose, determined, whatever
she did, never for one moment to inter-
fere with Ernest's individuality.
Throughout the day she avoided the
studio studiously. At Ii the model who
sat for the elder sister in "Papa's Re-
turn came in as usual. She was very
much surprised to find Ernest Grew en-
gagged on large drawing which had been
lying about the studio for months untin-
ished. 1t represented, as she remarked
to herself, among crowd of other fig
ures, male model in armor pushing his
way through a dense wood toward A
floating female model in insufficient
drapery. But Ernest himself called it
1.-The Quest of the Ideal"
She stood for minute irresolute. Err
nest Grey meanwhile surveyed her crit
ically. Y es, he thought so, she would do.
No more the elder sister in ''Papa's Re-
turn" but the Elusive herself in THE
Quest of the Ideal"
The model looked at him in surprise.
She was beautiful girl, with face of
refined and spiritual beauty. "Wbv.
Mr.. Grey" she cried, taken aback, you
don't mean to say you're not goin' on
with your Academy picture"
This is my Academy picture" Ernest
Grey answered gravely. I've discarded
the other one. 1t never was really mine.
Pm giving up the hosiery business"
The model looked aghast ''And it aCas
so lovely!' she cried, all regrets. THAT
dear, sweet baby and her so pleased, too.
at her pa coming 'ome again.
Ernest answered only by bringing out
piece of thin, creamy-white drapery.
II shall want you to wear this" he said.
Just so, as in the sketch. l think you'll
do admirably for the central figure.;,
The model demurred little-the nm
dress was rather more than she had vet
been used to. She sat for head and Shout
ders or draped figure only. Il think"
she said with decision, you'd better get
another lady,"
But Ernest insisted. He was hot for
high art now; and after short hesitation.
the model consented. 1t was no more.
he pointed out, than evening dress per
mits the most modest maiden. Ali on
fire with his new departure, Ernest began
study of her head and shoulders then
and there-the head and shoulders of the
Eternal Elusive.
He wrought at it with a will. He was
inspired and eager. To be sure, it was an
awkward moment to begin an expert
ment, with the rent just due and no cash
in hand to pay it, while the baker was
clamoring hard for his last months
money. but things like that, you know.
must be before famous victoryI' Moth
inc Vauturn NOTHING bava Tbaro