The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-04
SHE WAS HIS MODEI.
But Her Picture Was Called Tho
Artists Wife"

But Her Picture Was Called .The
Artists Wife"
Now said Richard Lacy, with a
sigh which denoted intense Joy, my
chance has come at last.''
An old frierd of his, who had made
great fame and some money as novel
ist, Edmund Shelton, to wit. had Sc.
lected him to illustrate an edition de
luxe Of his famous novel. claire Inge-
low" which you have no doubt read,
and had offered very liberal terms
Here was the opportunity for which
Richard Lacy had been waiting ever
since he came to London, a youth OF
seventeen, more than ten years ago.
He was a struggling artist, who
painted pictures (which never sold) in
the daytime, and earned his bread and
cheese at night by designing for the
stationery trade, and such black-and-
white work as he could get hold Of
He managed to make about six hun
| dred dollars year, onethird Of which
went for the rent Of the gaunt, bare
studio in which he worked, and the
little bedroom attached in which he
! slept. The purchase of materials ex-
hausted another third, and on the re-
naming two hundred dollars he lived,
| but did not grow fat
: Unless he could in some way arrest
| the attention of the public he would
probably remain all his life an ill-paid
/ designer.
/ True, by some freak Of fortune, one
! of his pictures had once been exhibited
at the Royal academy. But it had been
I ''skicd," not single critic noticed it.
, and it was reproduced in none of the IL
! lustrated catalogues Even now he
was in debt for its very gorgeous
frame.
A timid rat-tat at the door interrupt
ed his soliloquy. Come H."
4 tall young girl stood before him
She was not exactly beautiful, but with
an ar lists instinct he at once noticed
the fne poise of her head and her shape
" hand. She was meanly dressed, and
she hesitated.
Good morning" he said, at length
''Model?'
She nodded gravely and handed him a
card Mary Blackwood' was the name
it bore.
Evidently she was beginner at the
business. The old hands never called
on him, for they knew his means would
not allow him to engage model, ex-
cept very occasionally.
Well may be wanting a model
r. T L. rEe&
your terms are?"
She stated them. They were ridicu-
lousy low.
Perhaps you car call tomorrow. and
/ could then say whether you would be
likely TO suit ne"
When Richard Lacy had had three
sittings with Mary Blackwood he began
TO wonder how in the world he would
have got on without her.
Not only had she read claire Inge-
low" but she seemed thoroughly TO IN
derstaud the somewhat difficult char
acter OF Claire. She was ever ready
with useful suggestions. lie admitted
70 himself that she really inspired his
pencil.
He looked forward with esgerness 70
her visits. Not that they were partic-
ularly lively affairs. Miss Blackwood
spoke only as occasion demanded. and
Lacy was not one Of those artists who
can talk and work simultaneously
One day when she came he was al
most Frustrated by g more than usually
severe headache, a complaint from
which he frequently suffered In the
middle OF the mornings work she sud-
denly jumped up.
Why, Mr.. Lacy, you are IL" she
cried
Only one Of nv headaches" he said.
family and wearily. "You know, I
often have them But think win sit
down q bit"
Then he tainted
When he recovered consciousness he
found himself lying on the only couch
whick the studio boasted. while Mary
lakewood stood over him with bot
tie Of smelling salts
Where do you keep the tea7- she
asked With a smile. 4 must make
cup At ouce."
Years afterwards be remembered t1e
o-:et JOY with which he watched her
Quick. graceful movements as she set
about preparing that tea
by the way" Lacy said, as he con-
teute<ily slipped the tea. how came /
On this couch9"
~ carried you there said Mary. with
suspicion OF red in her cheeks
''Oh--er-T seeT''
Il nursed M mother for three years
before she died. and ! know w hat to do;
aud-vou aren't very aea-y
From thar tine they were 10 longer
artist and model. bEt close frieads-
Richard Suddenly discovered that II
was necessary for Mary 20 ST f9s- times
: week instead q three
Then he sad he v~czla Ike - pain.
her portrait as Clare inzel1ws Tor the
acadeEnv, wIish would open N coapIe
of months
Il was about his tfaae that Richard
found thar he could tax zz5 work a.
wall They discussed everything and
the nan discovered % hls sS.rDrsse that
II al domains q. knowledge outside