The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-20
THE MUTABLE MANY
BY
ROBERT BARR.
Copyright, 1896, bv Robert Barr.
CHAPTER IX.-coNTINUED.

''Oh, how-de.do how-de-do3 I am 80 glad you
found time 10 come to my little affair. You
are Just In time Just In time, don't YOU know"
Barney's~ artistic oye rapidly took In the APP
pearance of his guest, and all at once he real
led that his clothes had not quito the air Of
Bond street about them. in spite of the fact
that they were fagrantly the best suit his
visitor had. The smile faded from his face.
"oh, pardon me!' he added. Il thought I
recognized you. but l don't think I have the
pleasure OF -"
"No. we are not acquainted, Mr.. Hope. I
am a workmon In your fathers factory.
"Really. You have some message for me.
parhapsH"
II came of my own motion. I wish very
particularly to speak t, you on business"
oh. hut really. my good fellow, don't you
know. This is my AT Home day. never
talk business on these days, never. II you
want to buy any of my pictures. or any
thing. don't you know, you must come an
other day."
II did not come about pictures. but about
something vastly different and more serious"
My good f~ellow-you'll excuse my inter
rupting you. won't you? There is no serious
business except art. and to-day I don't oven
talk art"
Human lives" said Marsten. hotly. ARE
moro serious than art"
"Please don't raise your voice. You arc
certainly wrong about things, but I haven't
timo TO correct you to-day. don't you know.
All one need to say about your last remark is
that human lives are ephemeral. while art is
everlasting. Therefore is art the moro impor-
TINT of the two. But we'll let that pass. Can't
you come and talk another day? I'm sure I
shall be delighted to see YOU at any time"
Couldn't you give me Ave minutes out on
the landing?"
ut ia impossible. 1 cannot leave my guests.
You see. we lave the dancing Earl on In q
few moments. His Grace is Just now arranr-
ing his skirts. l really must go, don't you
know"
'Thcn I will stay until the Earl has dnne
his dancing. II that is what he Is here for"
"po. my dear fellow. do. A most excellent
idea. / am sure you will like It, for though I
have not seen the dance myself, I understand
Il is quito unique. Have n cup of tea. l
would have sent you q card II I had thought
that any o. my fathers workmen were inter
ested' in the lates' movements of art. but never
mind the lack Of invitation. II you care to
thy without 1t. 1 shall be delighted. It is
really very good of you to drop In in this I'M
expected way. 1t is the kind of thing l like.
80 Bohemian. don't you know. You'll ex-
cuse me now, I'm sure and Barney tripped
bN-S " Y tLaI al "a " bLC hp-
pearance Of the Earl were complete.
The model stand had been pushed tn one end
of the rom fronting the audience; heavy cur
tains had been drawn across the big north
window. leaving The place in semi-darkness;
there was the Kissing and suffering of a lime
light in the gallery. causing inQuisitive people
TO turn their heads to see what it was.
Marsten stood against the wall beside an
other man, who said to him in q weary tone:
WHO is this man, Barnard Hope?"
'He is an artist" answered Marsten. aston
ished that one guest should question a stran-
ger regarding their mutual host.
Evidently replied the other. But who
are his people. or has he any?"
His father is one Of the richest manufacture
ers in London"
'Egad. l was sure OF II. I knew there was
o shop somewhere in the background. the fell
low is so beastly civil"
Conversation was here interrupted by a
figure lcapinG on The model stand. while at
the same instant a binding white light was
thrown from the gallery upon it. There was a
ripple OF applause. and the Earl. u beardless
youth of perhaps twenty. bowed. He looked
like n girl in his ~clinging huted skirts. lie
was q scion of an ancient noble family founded
by an affectionate lancer of the opposite sex in
the reign of the second Charles. and it vas
QulUp III Lne regular OrOer nj Things tnat tnere
should De a recrudescence Of terpsichorean
ability in the latest member of the house.
The white light changed to red and the skirt
dance began. AS 1t went on it was received
with tumultuous applause, for a London au-
dience is always easy to please. especially
when there is no charge for admission at the
doors. Still II must be admitted that the
epriRhtlv little Enrl deserved the warmth Of
his reception. for his exhibition was a model
of grace and agility, while his manipulation of
the voluIninous skirts left little TO DO desired.
The varieGated co.ors thrown on the fiutterinR
whirling drapery gave a weird. unearthly eff
feet to the rapid movements of his Lordship,
and the grand finale, where a crimson light was
flung upon the ftmsy silk waving high above
the dancers head. gave the agile young noble
man the appearance o. one of the early mar
tyrs wrapped in flames.
The curtains were drawn back the entranced
~assemblaGe rose to its feet. and. gathering
about the host. congratulated him upon tho
success of his afternoon. Barney received these
elicitations with eXubcrant qualification. and
the young Earl. finally emerging from behind
the scenes, clothed and in his right mind. but
n trifie breathless, accepted modestly his we'll
earned share of the compliments. for. let cynics
say what they will, true merit is always sure
Of appreciation in the great city.
Euna SartWell fingered TOT a mOmenJ on tho
outskirts OF tho throng that pressed around
Barney and the little Earl, then leisurely
made her way oward the door. waiting for her
stcpmother, who fingered to thank her host.
The men who had stood along the wall were
AlreSGy H. the street. and the other visitors had
nearly all depnrtcg,
Marsten stood alone where he was when the
entertainment was going on. gazing with beat
ing heart at the girl he loved. She came
slowly toward him, her head avcrted. watch
ing Ter stepmother standing In the fast thin
ming group about Barney. There was IA Ger
tain unccnsciousness alb ut her movements. az
II the young man had hypnotized her and was
drawing her to him by mere force of will. At
last her skirts touched him and his nerves
tingled to his finger ends. Almost %involun-
tarily he murmured:
Miss Sartwcll."
The girl turned her head quickly, and for a
moment met his gaze without recognizing him.
my name is Mnrsten. ~ he said. huskily. see
in she did not know Lim. II met you the 9TH
er evening at your fathers office, when he and