The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-27
away. Plancon. with an adroitness pc
,uliar TO himself, turned the conversation

away. Plancon. with an adroitness pc
culiar to himself, turned the conversation
to the painting.
Now, see here. JULES he said solemn
~. Il want you to tell me truthfully some
thing concerning the model you used to
paint The Nymph.' BY the way, did
you use only one"
De Merllncourt yawDed. He was grow
ing sleepy. "Only one" he replied.
And is she as beautiful as the paint
inc ." And Plancon became anxious.
''My reproduction hardly does her
justice"
Great goodness. man! She must be an
angel"
Hardly that" Interrupted De Merlin
court
"Tell me- can meet her?'
There was moments silence.
We'll" argued De MerlincOurt, with
perceptible hesitancy, it appears to me
that such demand would no. be-well-
be wise"
And why?'
ITO be candid, Judge from your actions
this evening that you are rather infatuated
with The Nymph.' Mind, / don't mean
the painting, out with the original-Lu-
ellie TOurgois. You don't know her. And
so sweep out of your head any conception
of her that you may have derived from my
picture"
"Why, Pm surprised! You said she was
more beautful than you pictured her,
'ConfOund it! Physically speaking-yes.
But, man, womaD's exterior is NO index
of the spirit within"
''Still, it is from the outward semblance
that we learn to love them" Plancon re-
joined, quietly.
II don't agree with you. ] thought that
way once. Then l was a boy. A man
looks deeper than the skin before he falls
in love-"
And what's the matter with your
model?"
She's like too many of her sex-no
force of character. Nature made her per-
feet in form and face. just like my
'Nymrh.' there" he went on heatedly;
"auatomicaIly she is perfect. [ could not
give her a heart, SO she has none. Nature
must have forgotten that article of COM
merce in constructing Lucille"
pang Of feeling akin to jealousy shot
through Plancou's frame.
You talk as though you had made love
10 her!" he cried
"Made love to herl What for? Do
make love to my easel, my palette or my
Olltubes? l may worship my tools, but
don't make love to them. The ideal Oh,
If you think that YOU should have been
here last evening. That little fool Lucille
insisted on making love to me. She does
the same TO every artist who makes a half
way decent picture of her. | guess she
developed that popularity for fad" De
Merlincourt was so interested in his own
remarks that be did not notice the effect
they had on Pancon. His head was
bowed and he was weeping. De Merlin
court shook him gently by The shoulder.
Whats the matter with you?" he
asked, softly.
Il must confess-I-" and Plancon broke
down again.
Confess what?"
II love your model. / love Lucille. l
have not seen her, [ know. but your
m WI horf m, ma nd OF
contest love her."
Don't make a fool of yourself, man.
What on earth has possessed you to be-
come so damDably iDfatuated?" De Mer-
lincourt was beside himself with anger at
what he considered P.anc0n'S obstinacy.
Plancon arose and was furious.
"Ah, see now. Try not to deceive me.
any longer. You love Lucille. You wish
to keep her from me. We are friends. Is
this an act Of friendship? I'm going TO
Paris Tonight. I'll ind-"
~ QUILL DO nothing OF the kind. You're
nearly out of your senses If you want to
go tomorrow. you can. Remember. l haye
warned you. Don't walk into foIIy."
Plancon did not reply. but looked very un-
easy.
Knowing the excited nature of his
friend. De Merlncourt said nothing more.
He escorted him to his room. They babe
each other good night and parted Far,
far into the night De Mprincourt con,
iemplated. He would leave Plan con alone.
Experience. bitter experience, he reasoned.
Is sometimes the only power that will
teach; she never fails to impress her les
sons well. Let Plancon go on. 1t would
be but matter of time and he would learn
the truth Of the old adaGc, "All is not gold
that ghtters. Lucille might cloud their
friendship Tor while, but their mutual
attachment was strong, deep rooted and
liz the end would prevail.
The next morning the friends were most
formal TO each other. After breakfast
Plancon thanked De MerIincourt for his
hospitality in polite though cold manner
ana departed for Paris
The same day servant brought to De
Merllncourt small miniature done in
ivory that had been found in the room OF
Plancon. 1t was Plancon's mother. a
beautiful woman, who had died some
years before. De Merlncourt was aware
OF the strong love that Plancon bore his |
mother; in fact, his reverence for her