The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-13

straight into the heafI OF frcuerlt16 Plan-
con.
He must have had some kno Vyledge that
something was going on within him, for
his face wore the expression of a con-
oueror. When he arose, hap pier than he
had ever been in his life be Tore, he OBJ
served that the apartment was empty.
De Merlincourt had gone ont with the
last of his guests Plancon looked care
fully around in order TO as sure himself
that his observation was correct He
felt that he was going 10 d o something
foolish, and with ssses . to oily are at
all times objection able. Twenty PAGES
from the picture he stood. AT that dis
lance the effect was greatest. And,
pagan-like he worshi 0ped.
"Oh, fairest of the Eair Most beautiful
of all creation! Thou hast aw akened in
my soul love more Intense blan have
ever felt-an indescribasble pass ion which,
until now, never thou ght could exist in
human heart That love thou rlust know,
must feel. To find thee will be my life's
aim. And to unfold to tinee my love will
be my life's ambition
No passionate orator co uld h ave spoken
with more intensity of feeling. Then like
a cold blast from an open door, chilling
thought crossed his mind, and he turned
from the picture with a hard laugh. He
did not look back. He dared not. For if
he did, he feared that that moment he
might be tempted to destroy the canvas.
The thought that crossed him was, per-
haps she might not love him. An instant
later the room was flooded with light and
De Merlincourt had pulled hi m down on
the divan and was hugging him. A man
will act like child at times. and if he
has reason to. there is no shame in it.
Then they chatted, as two friends will,
till dinner was announced. And, arm in
arm, laughing and testing, they strutted
into the dining room.
All the little occurrences of the day
were rehearsed over the coffee and cigar
rette. De Merlincourt suggested that
they go into the library. He wanted to
tell Plancon of the little scene he had
with his model. He thought it might in
terest him. But an irresistible something
led them TO the studio in
stead, Somehow the idea De Merliaeeart
had in mind slipped away. Plancon, with
an adroitness peculiar to himself, turned
the conversation to the painting. Now,
see here, Jules, y he said solemly, 81 want
you to tell me truthfully something con
corning the model you used to paint The
Nymph.' BY the way, did you use only
one2p
De Merlicourt yawned. He was grow
ing sleepy. only one" he replied.
''And is she as beautiful as the paint
ing?n And Plancon became anxious.
my reproduction hardly does her jus
tlce'
Great goodness, man! She must be
an angel"
Hardly that, interrupted De Merlin
court.
"Tell me, can meet herr"
There was moments silence.
well" argued De Merlincourt, with a
perceptible hesitancy, it appears to me
that such demand would not bowel
be wise"
''And why?n
ITO be candid, Judge from your &C
tions this evening; that you are rather in
fatuated with The NYmph.' Mind, |
don't mean the painting, but with the
original-Lucille 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, I'm surprised You said she
was more beautiful than you pictured
her,
''Confound it! Physically speaking
yes But, man, a woman's exterior is no
index to the spirit within"
Still, it is from the outward semblance
that we learn to love them" Plancou re-
Joined, quietly
Il don't agree with you l thought
that way once. Then l was a boy. A
man looks deeper than the skin before ne
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
perfect in form and face. Just like my
Nymph,' there he went on heatedly;
'anatomically she is perfect. l could not
give her heart so she has none. Nature
must have forgotten that article of COM
MERGE in constructing Lucille"
A paDg OF feeling akin to jealousy shot
through Plancon's frame
You talk as though you had made love
! to her!" he cried.
Made love to her What forl Do
make love TO my easel, my palette, or my
oil tubes3 Imay worship my tools, but /
| don't make love TO them. The idea Oh, if
you think that, you should have been here
last evening That little fool Lucille in
sisted on making love to me- She does the
! same to every artist who makes a half
! way decent picture of her. l guess she
developed that popularity for the fad. :"
De Merlincourt was so Interested in his
| effect they had on Plancon; his head was
bowed and he was weeping. De Merlin
| court shook him gently by the shoulder
Whats the matter with you}" he
asked, gently
II must copfess-I-" and Plancon
broke down again.
Confess WHAT"
Il love your model. / love Lucille. I
have not seen her, | know, but your
! 'Nymph' has shown her to me- and must
| confess love her."
Don't make a fool of yourself, man.
| What ON earth has possessed you to be-
I come so damnably infatuated" De Mer-
! lincourt was beside himself with anger at
whathe considered Plancon 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 actof friendship Pm going to
! Paris tonight, III find"
'You'u do nothing of the kind You're
1 nearly out of your senses. If you want to
! so tomorrow, you can. Remember,
have warned you. Don't walk into folly"
Plancon did not reply, but looked very
uneasy.
Knowing the excited nature of his
| friend, De Merlincourt said nothing more
He escorted him TO his room. They babe
each other good night and parted. Far,
far into the night De Merlinrourt oontem.
plated. He would leave Plancon alone.
Experience, bitter experience. he rea-
soned, is sometimes the only power that
will teach; she never fails to impress her
lessons well. Let Placon room. IL would
be but a matter of time and he would
learn the truth of the old adage, IAN is
not gold that glitters' Lucille might