The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-29


ment to Holworth, who replaced it in his
pocket. Then he resumed his narration.
'Of course you can see as well as |
that this woman was no professional
model. As she herself said in the letter.
it was evident that she was doing this
rather reluctantly, solely for the money.
The letter, too. shows that it was written
by an intelligent woman. But what |
wanted was a good model. and if she
proved that | was perfectly willing to
agree TO her conditions So | inserted
the Personal advertisement confess
my curiosity would have led me TO do
that. even if / had been pretty certain
that she would not do at all wanted to
see what kind of iudgmenta woman like
this could pass on her own shape.
Il got this letter Monday. and put nv
Personal in the next days paper I ap-
pointed o'clock the following Thursday
as the hour. This would give her time to
see it, and it was a more convenient hour
for the woman.
10 was not five minutes past on Thurs
day when l heard the bell ring. | had
told the servant to usher the woman who
called at that hour into my studio at
once. AS soon as l heard the bell ring
began TO fuss around, as if 1 were occu-
pied with something. 1t was my role to
be absolutely business-like, and show no
curiosity in the matter.
She came in, and after step or two
into the studio stopped without any sign
of greeting.
II bowed slightly, and said in the most
indifferent tone 1 could assume: i pre-
sumo you are the model If YOU will step
behind this portiere and get yourself
ready, and then come out and stand on
that platform with your back to the
corner, can tell in a moment whether
you will do"
Then went on with my work. after
pulling back the heavy curtain for her to
pass through and pulling it to again very
closely. had taken as sharp look at her
as | could. Madame Mystery wore a
round, stiff hat, with a broad, straight
leaf to it. Over this was drawn one of
those close-woven black wells. Around
her neck was wound long, loose black
scarfe Not feature was Indicated, not
even the shape of her head. She also
wore one of those long cloaks, which dis
guise the figure so much. Her shoes
were heavy English walking Shoes one
or two sizes too large for her, l was sure
Her gloves were heavy, tan colored dog
skin, quite loose,
"Well, L. waited until she came out
with the keenest desire to see her figure,
which she had so shrouded and disguised.
She took more time to get herself ready
than a model would do.
Finally the curtain was noiselessly
parted and she walked rapidly to the
platform and placed herself upon it. She
made me want to laugh at first, for she
was certainly comical model for the
nude. She had retained her hat and veil
and gloves. | could tell that she was
blushing, for even her neck showed red.
"But, Caldwell, her formN Holworth
rolled his eyes upward and made a de-
spairing gesture with his hands. Then
he took a pull at his brandy and soda as
if to get force to describe it. He took a
long draught on his cigar, and as he blew
out the smoke in a sigh of rapture, he ex-
claimed, ecstatically; ''Such a form!
have never seen the like of it in flesh or
stone. Never! 1t was faultless. The
proportions were perfect, the curves the
most subtle lines of beauty. and such full
ness and delicate maturity to it, yet with
that sense of firm, elastic youth fuluess.
And TO this perfect shape she added the
charm of a skin like satin and as white
as snow delicious, warm, dead white,
and the texture of 1t like the finest kid
glanced at her feet. They were long,
slender and with an exquisitely -arched
instep, and the nails were rosy and per-
fectly shaped"
Holworth looked at Caldwell as if over
come by the beauty of the human form
divine, which he had conjured up. Cald-
well laughed and the sculptor said
II tell you, old fellow. 1 nearly lost my
head. | had got a goddess I could have
gone on my knees to her. | would have
given her fifty dollars an houri But
was too eager to have her pose for me
not to be very careful not to alarm her OF
violate any of her conditions.
80 said: That will 90. l find that
you will answer my purpose very well.
shall be glad 10 engage you on the terms
proposed, and / pledge you my sacred
word of honor TO observe all your condi-
tions. When you are dressed | will give
you a slip of paper with the days and
hours marked on it when l would like to
have you pose.
''She stepped down from the platform
with alacrity, and almost ran behind the
portieres. She TOOK some time to dress
herself When she reappeared I was
writing, and without hardly looking up
said, indicating it with a nod of my head
There is the paper. Good afternoon.
She picked it up hurriediy, and walked
out without any other recognition of my
remark. l felt that she was dis guising her
gait, too, for she took rather long strides
for woman.
The next day l got the second letter, 9
said Holworth, passing over another
Caldwell read this second typewriter
communication from the incognito.
''Since you wish me for this purpose,
will come at the times you have ap
pointed You can give me the money al
the end of each week. Remember that a
single violation of your agreement will
spoil all, for | cannot trust you, should
you forget even one of them. l cannot
pose for you more than a month.
''She came as regularly as clockwork, y
said Holworth Il lived rigidly up TO my
contract AMI paid her the money at the
end of each week. Five dollars an no r
you know, is pretty good pay Tor a model
Most of them are satisfied with 30 cents
or 81.
Il got my statue pretty well in hand by
the end of the month. There was to be
the hnal posing. All through the sittings
the woman had not Eiven utteranCe to q
word, not a sigh, even Think of a wo
man holding her tongue like that didn't
talk any more than necessary myself, but
worked, making my hay while the sun
shone But on the last sitting but one, as
it drew to close, l did say to her:
You must let me express my extreme
satisfaction with your posing. If my
statue is a success, IL will be largely
due to my having had model such
as seldom falls to a sculptors lot. / feel
that it is impossible for me to anyway
equal the original Don't be alarmed
went on, for she got up and retreated to
the inner room at once, II only say this
once for all, out of pure gratitude
1.-The next morning got third note,