The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-18

at once the effect was confusion. The
severe and complicated charms Of her
aldry beckoned him one way; the looeer
Establishments of medieval pottery APP
pealed from another quarter. The Jap
anese thing had laid n lighter hand upon
him than might have been predicted,
but stained glass of the Burgundian
period bore down heavily, and the
earlier schools OF miniature painting
cried aloud TO him. Treading roughly
on the heels of these antique lures, and
often elbowing them aside. for that
matter, and thrusting itself TO the fore,
came that grossly up-to-date affair,
amateur photography. Passy had mo-
ments of deep shame In its company
and yet-and yet--might it not prove
after all the true friend in need? The
Others were admittedly finite; their
fascination had been all ascertained
and ticketed; the completed set OF
their tricks was TO be found in cata-
logues. But who could tell what novel
conquests the bromides and nitrates
might not be reserving for the real
Prince Charming among connoisseurs?
"The upshot of it is, then said Mole,
at last, "that between them all you
don't know which to pick"
"Yes, that seems to be it," Passy adj
mitted. They were in the members
smoking-room now, and regarded each
ether from the depths of big easy-cbairs
before the fire, what time they did not
stre torpidly through their cigar haze
at the Goals and vacancy. "Yes, that is
precisely il. Il must find a profession
among them somewhere II need not
be extremely lucrative; / look to il for
supplementary earnings, not for my
whole income. IL must be something
that a gentleman can do; IL should pref
erably be connected with the arts"
Mole nodded reflectively. lie spoke
slowly. after a silence. what you
want. first Of all, is astudio."
Passy lifted hishead. The dogmatism
of tone and remark impressed him, but
he had misgivings. "Of course that
would come in later" he assented;
''but is il really the leading necessity?
Ought / not first to settls what am
going to do in my studio, bofore get
il 2"
"Not in the least. No mistake can be
more grievous than TO hesitate AMI
fiddle about in matters Of this nature.
It IL plain enough that indecision mars
your character You must do battle
with it here and now II 1t is not to wreck
your career. Say to yourself that you
will Immediately take n studio-and
upon the word go out and secure one.
When once you are lodged In il, when
once the fact of possessing 1t has en-
tered into your being, then everything
else will be comparatively simple. II
really doesn't matter so much what
you do in your studio, SO far as that
goes; the essential thing is TO have
one"
"It is bold process" unused Passy.
at would not have occurred TO me, but
I think i grasp your thought. You
feel that the studio. SO to speak, will
make the selection for me; that when I
have made a fitting home for the bride,
as 10 were, then the one who should be
chosen will be drawn toward il, and
shall know her, and go out TO meee
her"
Cor words TO that effect" Mole as
sented. "In short, once you have stu
dio, you will know how to live up to it.
Without studio-well, you behold
yourself-anxious, frightened. discon-
ISOLATE, pitching fruitlcssly about like
a cork in a millrace."
"Yes; profess myself convinced"
said Passy. "And. since you spoke OF
the want of indecision. will pile deeds
upon persuasion. Come with me now!
] will not sleep until Z have secured the
painters quarters for studio"
"Oh, it's only twenty minutes walk"
remarked Mole, lighting second cigar.
"Have another liqueur of brandy? You
will be overpowered with delight at the
place. II il had been planned and built
for rou by Providence IL could not more
ideally fit your wants. II will food
YOU with suggestions and Inspirations.
1t will take charge of Destiny in your
name"
Passy lifted his little glass toward
his friend. "Your enthusiasm is conta-
gious." he cried. "How wonderfully
you have put heart in me! Doubts? I
laugh in their face! Uncertainties? I
set my foot on them! Come, let US get
out! am consumed with engerness to
begin. You spoke as IL you had place
in mind-but there must be the condi-
tion that enter at once"
THAT il the beauty Of il ALL" replied
Mole. II am leaving England. certain
ly for months, perhaps for years. I
start for Malaga this very evening.
There is no reason why, IL you will il,
you should not sleep in your studio to-
night"
Perhaps ] do not completely follow
you." said Passy, doubtfully. The ex-
act connection between"
"Oh. 10 be sure, ] hadn't mentioned
IT," broke in Mole. as he got 20 his feet.
at is my studio that you are to take Off
my hands"
nar1ypoca catbcroJ in car1,, =, 49,, xhc