The record-union., 1894-05-05
MODELS AND MASKS.

Copyright, 1894, by Edgar L. Wakeman. All
rights reserved.l
In the ancient quarter of the City OF
Algiers, not so far from the dismantled
citadel, or Kasbah, but that its evening
shadows fell upon their abode, and still
near enough to the great mosque OF
Dlamaa el-Kebir for the muezzin's morn
ing and evening salutation to the faithful
to gather for prayers to be heard, TWO
artists had fguratively pitched their tent
among the Arabs for winters study OF
Moorish scenes and life.
Not altogether figuratively had their
tent been raised. They had found little
habitation in one of the shadowy streets,
off the Rue Porte Neuve, in which
lounged and snored their two servants
and was stored their belongings. but
which. after their artists curiosity as to
detail had been gratified, became so dark
and prison-like that they had transferred
their actual habitation to the open ter
race above.
Here, underneath gayly-colored avn
ing, they worked and ate and slept, and,
the Moorish women upon the outstretch-
ing terraces about them, who, as the
months slipped by. became less heedful
of their haik-hidden charms, and often,
as if unguardedly. favored the young
and excellently behaved infidels with
tantalizing glimpses of beauteous face
and form.
These artists were Harry Casselearth.
IL. IL Mod d1r an
American. CaSselearth was Inquire
painter, Madder a landscape artist.
They had studied in Paris together; both
had gained excellent regulations for tnelr
work, and ties of keenest sympathy held
them closely together. These were the
genuine friendship which had grown out
of equal enthusiasm and fidelity IN their
vocation and the accidental and, per-
haps. more important bond of being be-
trothed to sisters
The latter bond had somewhat Curl
Gus origin. From motives of economy
they had occupied studio together IN
Paris. One morning while at their work
they were surprised by the entrance OF
five American ladies.
"Executed from the same model" J"
said Madder under his breath to his
friend.
But a perfect model and wonderful
execution" rejoined Casselearth, inyit-
ing the ladies to seats.
The five ladies might have been taken
for sisters, ranging from % years of age
to l6, or thereabout, and they were so
frank and engaging in their manner, SO
winsome in their type of beauty and SO
self-possessed in their directness and
modesty of speech, that the companion
artists were at once agloW with enthuSl-
asm and interest.
''We have been directed here in the
hope of securing excellent portraits" !"
said the elder OF the ladies pleasantly.
81 wish portrait of each of my daugh-
ters."
..Your daughters, madam" began
Madder after the fine manner of the
French. Your sisters, should rather
presumed"
'sWe should prefer the compliments
on canvas" replied the lady quietly but
engagingly, whereupOn both the artists
calculated, "Ohp' "Ahv' "Exactlyp' or
something of the sort, in confused way.
Harry Casselearth was introduced as the
portrait painter, and Mrs. Manley, before
leaving the studio, had arranged Tor por-
traits of Miss Harriet Manley and the
Misses Edith, Emily and Cecil Manley,
at price which left the artists somewhat
dazed and bewildered upon the ladies'
departure.
you know what 1t will do for US, old
81 know what it has done for me al
ready, Harry" replied Madder moodily.
"Im goner, this timel'
''Not-not the second one. Not Miss
Edith. Jack?" asked Casselearth in evil
dent trepidation.
mo; the eldest, Harriet. 1 won't soon
forget her Names
Nonsense. Jack. This won't do for
either of as. What / meant was that
this twenty-five hundred francs will just
give us that glorious winter we have
been praying for in Algiers Funds are
getting low all round, Nader I'll do
these portraits in six weeks time, sure.
Then, by November, We'll be off for the
White City with the swallowsr'
YOU'RE grand fellow, Harry. Won
der who they are, anyhow?"
"Oh, some of your enterprising, title
hunting countrywomen, no doubt. Let
me see. Here's the order book and ad-
dresses. Um-m-ml Must be done al
the earliest possible moment OF course.
That settles it. ssh!-Zip!
Bang! Ordered by Mrs. Endicott
Manley, bingham. Boston, Mass, u. s.
A. Do you know anything about Hing
ham, Boston, Mass, Jack?"
'.Surei Lovely old spot. Rich, blue
blood there. They're evidently some.
body, if they are Yankees, as you Brit
ons call Us, Harry"
Somebody. Madder? Ishould remark
HeNSI SAN i've 80 1u0 women LOS6tl0l
in one place in all my life. By JoYe! I'C
marry the whole family, if / could-jus
for models, Jack. Besides, I never saw
such a sweet good look in woman's eyes
as glowed from that Edith Manley's!"
"Why, didn't you notice Harriet'si
Now it seemed to me there was perfec
radiance of calm and tender steadfastness
in hers. Harry, I'd paint that girls form
for a Venus, and her face for q Cecilia's
ii / were your
The two artists here turned and faced
each other for moment with puzzled
look which gradually relaxed into al
almost ludicrous smile. They nodded
their heads for little, when Casseleartf
said, with a sigh:
Jack, these portraits will be our ruin
We are in the same boat this time.''
ssI'm afraid we are, Harry; and in
boat that won't float into the right por
eitheri'
.,Oh, we'll, we'll winter with the swal
lows. contemplate the Moorish beauties
and forget what can't be hoped for,'' re
turned Casselearth cheerily, when they
returned with extraordinary quiet t,
their work.
The sittings were rapidly given and th
four portraits were brought along to
gether famously. The charming Mrs
Manley and her still more charming
daughters invariably came to the studi,
together and their presence grew to be