Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-07
In Love with a Painter
JACQUES BRUHIERE is nm artist
The Romance of sPOrHait.

lhigh-heeled sandals and a peculiar twiri
TO their drapery have captivated the
Partisan ladies. so they crowd Jacques
studio and implore him to let them sit
for Dianas and Andromedas. But he is
a most unromantic fellow, aud is
swayed by no considerations other
than those of gain. Although he is but
80. he has gained fame and some for
tune; and he is so industrious that he
flies from useless words and time-coD-
sumers-that is TO say, women and
bores-
A year ago, just after the art exhibit
closed, Jacques determined to go on
trunk, assisted by his friend, Eugene
de Lassi, and was bidding adieu to his
studio, when the servant entered with
a note. 1t was a nice little note, dainti-
" perfumed, and the address was writ
ten in the most delicate hand imagin-
able. He read it, frowned, and, crump-
ling 1t up, threw it on the floor.
''Confound the womenl" he cried.
-'What's the matter?" asked his
friend.
''Why, I'm such an unlucky fellow"
replied Jacques. There's always some
woman or other bothering me, writing
nbout how she admires my paintings,
and how she'd like to see me, and all
that sort of thing. Just as if a man
should say he would like to see my
paintings because he admired the cut
of my beard. Look" said he, picking
up the letter, "'address Mime. Leonie,'
such a street and number"
But" said Eugene, who was reading
the note, 'it's very well written, as
sure you, full of most delicate wit
What are you going to do with it?'
"Oh, you literary men!" groaned
Jacques. What am 1 going to do with
st? Why, burn it, of course. What do
you suppose am going to do with it?''
I'm tell you what to do with it," said
Eugene, you're going away"
.Yes"
"Then give it to me-"
''Why, what'n you do with ftp" said
Jacques, with a stare.
well, III play painter" replied Eu-
gene. I'm not much of one, but can
daub a httle-enough, at all events, to
deceive a woman in love. And I'll find
out who Nine. Leonie' is-that's only
part of her name, I'm sure"
So it was settled. jacques Bruhiere,
painter, set of for Switzerland, and
Eugene de Lassi, man of letters, re-
manned to personate him. But only for
Nine. Leonie. Other visitors were told
the truth-that the master was gone.
At last she came. Eugene's roman
tic fancy had painted her as young
and beautiful. But she was more than
.that-she was divine. She was bru-
.aette, 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 battered himself that
he was correctly made up for his role.
His velvet blouse and jaunty cap were
2 little too clean, perhaps, but that was
i good fault.
= Nine. 1eonle wanted her portrait
painted, and it was very difficult for
her to decide how it should be done.
She wavered long. One day she would
be Omphale; the next she had decided
that to be represented as Salome was
necessary to her peace of mind. But
when Eugene had made his prepare
tions, his tickle goddess decided that
Delilah was the character that suited
her. And then tshe would wander
around the studio. and drape herself
with the barbaric 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
AID she would go, leaving Eugene do
Lassi deeper in love than ever.
AS for him, he was in q dream. He
had retired from the world. At his OWL
quarters his door was daily storTneC
by publishers. by managers. by print
eTs' boys, by creditors and by friends
But no one knew where lie had gone
He had told his servants he was going
away, but had not told them where
1t was wrong, decidedly wrong; but hi
took certain ferocious JOY in ii wheI
he thought how he himself had once
pursued these same editors and man
ayers.
Eugene had at 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 blinC
TO it was impossible. Yet she was Ger
tainly blind to his painting, for sh,
expressed her admiration OF it with al
enthusiasm that made Eugene vince
But one day, when he was, as usual
attempting to transfer her to canvas,
particularly atrocious tree which he in
PRODUCED in the background attracte'
her attention.
Jacques" said she, don't you thinl
that you are-that you are-wen
you're losing little of your sldli?"
What" shouted Eugene.
ST mean-that is-I'm afraid that
keep you from your work so mucI
that"
81 only hope that you may keep m
from it forever" returned the amor
Gus Eugene. And so the dangerous mo
ment passed.
Rut this state of affairs could No