The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-28
OUTWITTED.

"Howr' exclaimed Nile. st. Creux, the
pet Of the Coincide Franchise. "You will
not give me lessons, NJ. Desire?''
''Thas is so, mademoiselle. It is my
invariable rule-honored by time-never
to take pupils.'
CAT least you will let me sit to youP''
"Howl I do not paint portraits -
''But you put figures into your pic
lures
''True, but do not empIcy tnodels-not
living models. All, you 7usk surprised
But it is SO, assure you. regret, made
moiselle, that cannot acquiesce in your
suggestion; but, oui, it is inpossiblei
Listen, mademoiselle. could not
paint one stroke with second person in
the room. 1t is true. am nervous as a
mouse. That is why I employ that big
Englishman to stand in the anteroom and
see that remain undisturbed.
''But you are still incredulous. Prove
my assertion, mademoiselIe. Attempt to
enter my studio during working hours
NJ. Desire, an eccentric artist of great
originality and widespread renown, never
painted to order. His studio was thrown
open to likely buyers once in every quar-
ter, when, as a matter of fact, he sold all
he had painted.
It was in the early half of fair spring
day that Mile. ST. Creux went forth to
storm the artists studio and defeat his
burly English sentinel. Mademoiselle
laughed heartily as she passed group Of
her friends and struck q cord upon the an
Gent guitar she carried. Her friends
stared curiously.
said one.
Evidently her disguise-adapted from
one of group of rowing troubadours then
Darading PariS-waS complete.
She passed the old porters and knocked
at the artists anteroom. Hugh, the Eng
hshman, opened the door.
"Well, young man." he exclaimed, ey-
ing mademoiselle scrutinously, "what is
your business2''
dour. Monsieur, the artist, bade US come
and sing; but, alas, my companions are
Ill with fever, SO come alone"
"H m, - responded the porter, 81 know
something of my masters vagaries, and
heard a rumor of this freak. will go and
inquire if this is a convenient hour for
your caterwauling. Monsieur is now at
work. No, no, my youngster, AS made
moiselle attempted to follow-"stay you
there
He returned almost Immediately, closing
the studio door carefully behind him.
pray be seated, NJ. lie Troubadour," he
said, land do your best. Monsieur says no
can both work and listen"
Mademoiselle sang a song, then paused
| in expectancy. But the studio door re-
manned fixed, and Hugh only grunted:
$50 alongl Surely you are not tired
yet"
For five minutes more mademoiselle
trilled her loudest, then stopped again.
Come, don't waste timel' said Hugh
| imperatively.
A third song, fourth, fifth, sixth, fol-
| lowed, with no eneouragement-note even
a bravo-only the Englishman's steadily
| repeated reminder of the value of deeting
moments.
But joyI The artists gong was sounded,
and Hugh disappeared within. Would
monsieur send for her, and could she par-
suade him to let her sing while he workedP
Hugh returned.
! Monsieur says that you may go inside
and sing while he works.
Mademoiselle slipped joyful1y into the
studio. Where was M. Desire? For mo
ment she looked in vain, then espied him
half hidden between two large canvases,
| upon one of which he worked.
''Stand thereP' commanded Hugh, who
had followed. land sing"
! Mademoiselle obeyed, and for lack of an
extensive repertory of such songs repeated
those she had sung in the anteroom, hel
eyes turned toward the painter.
My throat is dry murmured made
moiselle. MAY have little waterP''
'Sing your last song again., " said Hugh
airily; ''then monsieur will recompense
you, and you can go. You will then find
water in the anteroom."
''Ah, so you command me, do you?'' she
cried. Though my throat is as dry as ar
old bean, you command me to sing. Eel
low, if you had any idea to whom yor
were speaking''-
''To Mile. St. Creux of the Coincide
Francaise 1 believe, F." interrupted the por
ter with a hearty guffaw.
''You have found me out, she gasped
"Ah, we'll, it is of no consequence.
came to watch N. Desire at his worl
and"-
You have failed in your attempt"
The porter's voice and manner had IN
dergone an astonishing metamorphosis
He drew off his beard and his ungainiy
wig and reassumed the appearance of NJ
| Desire.
'Mademoiselle, he said, 'you have hat
the felicity of watching Hugh, my Englisl
servant, in an excellent disguise drawing
a painless brush over dry canvas. Made
moiselle, my rule is invariable. do no
take pupils but love to hear sweet sing
ing."-Good Company.
The Burial of Sir John Moore.
PHOENIX PARK, 22d April, 1871.
think it was about the summer of 1871
O g.