The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-10-20

+ ].
:
Jacques Bruhiere is an artist whose
NEUROLOGICAL pictures have most de-
lightful modern air. His Grccian god
desses look like Parisiennes. Their wind
blown hair. their high heeled sandals and
peculiar twirl given to their drapery
have captivatcd the Partisan ladies' So
they crowd Jacques studio and implore
him to let them sit for Dianas and An
dromedas. But he is a most unromantic
fellow and is swayed by no considerations
other than those of gain. Although he is
but 30, he has gained fame and some for
tune. and he is so Industrious that he flies
from useless words and time consumers
that is to say. women and bores.
a year ago. just after the art exhibit
closed. Jacques determined to go on Il
sketching tour. So he packed his trunk,
assisted by his friend, Eugene de Lassi,
and was bidding adicu to his studio when
the servant entered with note. 1t was
4 nice little note. daintily perfumed, and
the address was written in the most deli
cate hand imaginable. He read it, frown-
cd and. crumpling it up. threw it on the
floor.
"Confound the women" he cried,
whats the matter?" asked his friend.
"Why. I'm such an unlucky fellow"
replied Jacques. There's always some
woman or other bothering me, writing
about how she adElires my paintings and
how she'd like to see me and all that sort
of thing. just as if Il man should say he
would like to see my paintings because
hn 1,1t1 i.nfl In g l.,n I
said he. picking Up the letter, address
Nine. Leonie.' such a street and num-
ber"
But" said Eugene. who was reading
the note. Its very we'll written, assure
you. full Of most delicate wit. What are
you going to do with it,
"Oh, you literary men" groaned
Jacques. What am l going to do with
it? Why. burn it of course. What 90
you suppose am going to do with it?
I'll tell you what to do with it," said
Eugene. "You're going away
Yes"
Then give it to me-
why, whatll you do with it?" said
Jacques. with stare.
We'll. I'll play painter" replied Eu-
gene. I'm not much of one. but l can
daub Il littl"-cnough, at all events. to
deceive woman in love, and I'll find out
who Mime. Lronic' is. That's only part
of her name, I'm sure"
So it was settled. Jacques Bruhicre.
painter, set off for Switzerland. and Eu-
gene de LasSi. man Of letters. remained
TO rcrsonatc him. but only for Nine. I.e-
onic. Other visitors were told the truth
that the master was gone.
L. =,
fancy had painted her as young and
beautiful. hut she was more than that.
She was divine. She was brunette and
had the most delightful nose. the most
sparkling eyes. the most glorious hair and
the most adorable little hands and feet
that Eugene had ever seen. He flattered
himself that he was correctly made up
for his role. His velvet blouse and jaun-
ty cap were little too clean perhaps,
but that was good fault.
Mime. Leonic wanted her portrait paint
ed and it was very difficult for her to DE-
eide how it should be done. She wavered
long. One day she would he Omphale,
the next she had decided that to be rep
resented as Salome was necessary to her
peace of mind. But when Eugene had
made his preparations his tickle goddess
decided that Delilah was the character
that suited her. and then she would wan
der around the studio and drape herself
with the barharic stuffs used by long
gone models and handle the curious
weapons and examine the porcelains. and
then she would say that she was weary
and would come the next day, and she
would go, leaving Eugene de Lassi deep
err in love than ever.
As for him, he was in a dream. He
had retired from the world. At his own
quarters his door was daily stormed by
publishers, by managers, BY printers
boys. by creditors and by friends. But
no one knew where he had gone. He had
told his servants he WIS going away, but
had not told them where. 1t was wrong,
decidedly wrong. but he took certain
ferocious joy in it when he thought how
he himself had once pursued these same
editors and managers.
Eugene had Mt last discovered that his
inamorata was a widow, wealthy and of
good family. Her full name was Leonie
de Nores. He had never told his love,
but that she was blind to it was impossi-
bic. yet she was certainly blind to his
painting. for she expressed her admira-
ton of it with an enthusiasm that made
Eugene vince. But one day. when he
was, as usual. attempting TO transfer her
to canvas. n particularly atrocious tree
which he introduced in the background
attracted her attention.
Jacques" said she. don't you think
that you are-that you are-well, that
you're losing little of your skill?'
What" rhoutcd Eugene.
81 mcar-that is-Im afraid that l
keep you from your work so much
that
Il only hope that you may keep me
from it forever" returned the amorous
Eugene. And so the dangerous moment
passed.
But this state of affairs could not last
forever. One fine day as Eugene was
seated upon divan thinking of his lady
love. who had just departed. who should
enter but Jacques Bruhere. Yes. there
he was with his attendant carrying his
umbrella. his sketch books. his camp
stools, his baggage. a true artist Just
from the country The false one trem-
bled as he thought that his dream was
over. Had he been Il Borgia he would
have slain his friend. As he was not he
pressed his hand warmly and babe him
welcome.
But how could he cXtricate himself
from his dilemma? How could he an
swer to high spirited woman for the de-
ception he had practiced upon her? As
to persuading jacques to consent to any
arrangement for keeping up the dcccp-
ton. that WIS out Of the question. Where
his art was concerned the painter would
prove as deaf as Il post and as unman-
ageable as a balky horse. So Eugene
was puzzled.
Finally bright idea occurred to him.
"Why not" thought he, give comic