Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1896-01-03
OUTWITTED.

GLOW" exclaimed Mile. st. Creux, the
pet Of the Comedio Franchise. You will
not give me lessons, NJ. Desire?"
THAT Is so, mademOiSelle. 1t is my
invariable rule-honorod by time-never
to take pupils"
''At least you will let me sit to you?
"How! do not paint portraits.
but you put figures into your pic
lures.
"Truc, but do not employ models-not
living models. All you look surprised
But it is so, assure you. l regret, made
moiselle, that | cannot acquicsco in your
suggestion; but, oui, it is impossiblel
"Liston, mademOiselle. | could not
paint one stroke with second person in
the room. 1t is true. fam nervous as a
mouse. That is why l employ that big
Englishman to stand in the anteroom and
sec that | remain undisturbed.
But you are still incredulous. Prove
my assertion, madomoiselle. 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-
he had painted.
1t was in tho 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 rs she passed u group of
her friends and struck cord upon the an
cient guitar she carried. Her friends
stared curiOusly.
What an impudent looking fellow"
said one.
Evidently her disguise-adapted from
one of a group of rowing troubadours then
parading Paris-was complete.
She passed the old portcrs and knocked
at the artists anteroom. Hugh, the Eng
lishman, opened the door,
"Well, young man," he exclaimed, ey-
ing madomoiselle scrutinously, what is
your business?"
ITO play-to sing See, lam a trouba-
dour. Monsieur, the artist, babe us como
and sing; but, alas, my companions arc
i'll with fever, so l come alone"
"H'm," responded the porter, 81 know
something of my masters vagaries, and
heard rumor of this freak. Twill 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. 10 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:
Go along! Surely you are not tired
yet"
For five minutes more mademoiselle
trilled her loudest, then stopped again.
Come, don't waste timer' said Hugh
imperatively.
A third song fourth, fifth, sixth, fol-
lowed, with no enoouragement-note even
a bravo-only the Englishman's steadily
repeated reminder of the value of feeting
moments.
But joyl The artists gong was sounded,
and Hugh disappeared within. Would
monsieur send for her, and could she per-
suade him to let her sing while he worked?
Hugh returned.
Monsieur says that you may go inside
and sing while he works"
Mademoisello slipped joyfully into the
studio Where was NJ. DesireP For mo.
ment she looked in vain, then espied him
half hidden between two large oanvases,
upon one of which he worked.
'Stand there' 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, her
eyes turned toward the painter.
My throat is dry" murmured made
moiselle. MAY have little waterY"
"Sing your last song again, " said Hugh
airily; "then monsieur will recompensa
you, and you can go. You will then find
water in the anteroom.
'Ah, so you command me- do your" she
cried. "Though myithroat is as dry as an
old bean, you command me to sing. Fell
low, If you had any idea to whom you
were speakinR"-