Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-08-31
CHAPTER VI.
THE ARTIST.

ne was III ire. IA ne Ndu not Deeu
rich, he might perhaps have become
ii great artist. But, lacking the spur
of poverty. he seemed incapable Of
sustained effort. Occasionally he was
seized with a frenzy for labor; and,
for weeks at a time he would shut
himself up in his studio until he had
crcultaDly accomi nshed some hit OF
work. But the fever was soon spent,
and a reaction invariably followed,
during which palette and brush were
taken up only in desultory fashion.
Thus il was that at the age of eight
and twenty. Sprague had painted
few pictures which had attracted fa-
vorable attention at the annual eXhi-
billions of the Academy of Design, and
which the critics had spoken OF as
"promsing;" and thus il was that
the promise was as yet unfulflled,
and that Sprague. though a man of
undoubted talent. was not likely ever
TO rank as a genius in his profession.
Sturgis, with his keen insight into
human nature. fully realized the po-
tential capacities of the artist. and at
times he could not control his impa-
through life. But. with all their diff.
ferences, these two men held each
other in the highest esteem, each adj
miring in the other those very quail
ties which were lacking in himself.
The artist lived in fashionable
quarter of the city in a bachelor
apartment which included a large
and commodious studio fitted up ac-
cording TO the latest canons of arts
tic taste.
On this particular New Years
morning. after waking and observ-
ing by the filtering of few bright
sunbeams through the closely drawn
blinds. that il was broad daylight. he
stretched himself with voluptuous
yawn and prepared 10 relapse into the
sensuous enjoyment of that semi
somnolent state which succeeds a
night of calm and refreshing sleep.
just as he was settling himself
comfortably. however, he was startled
by a knock at the bedroom door
Most men, under the circumstances,
would have betrayed some veXation
at being thus unceremoniouslv dis
turbed. But there was no suspicion
of annoyance in Sprague's CHEEKY
voice, as he eXclaimed:
You cannot come in vet. Mrs.
OMeaghcr. | am asleep and I shall
be asleep for another hour at the
least. Surely you cannot have forgot
ten that to-day is holiday. Happy
New Year! You have time TO 90 10
several masses before"
Get up. old lazybones; and don't
keep n man waiting at your door in
this inhospitable way. when he is in
n hurry" interrupted a voice whose
timbre was not that Of the house
keeper. Mrs. O'Meagher.
"Oh! is that you Sturgis?" laughed
the artist. Aren't you ashamed OF
yourself to come routing honest men
out Of bed at this unseemly hour?
Wait minute, till put on my court
costume, that l may receive you with
the honors and ceremonies due TO
your rank and station"
a couple of minutes later the artist,
pituresquely attired in loose ORR
entail dressing gown and fez. opened
the door TO his friend, Ralph Sturgis
Come in, old man." he said, cordial
~ extending his hand 10 the reporter;
you are welcome at any hour of the
day or night. What is it now? This is
not your digestion call, presume"
NO" replied Sturgis, 81 merely
dropped in TO say that l should be I'M
able TO take our projected bicycle trip
this afternoon. l shall probably be
busy with the Knickerbocker bank
case all day. BY the way, if you would
like to come 20 the bank with me. /
shall be glad of your company. / am
on my way there now"
II should like nothing better" said
Sprague, but l have made an APP
pointment for this morning with "a
er-er-with a sitter"
What. on New Years day, yoa
heathen!"
Sturgis observed the artist closely,
and then added, quizzically:
Accept my congratulations, old
man."
Your congratulations? inquired
Sprague, coloring slightly
Yes; my congratulations and my
coincidence. My congratulations on
the fact that she is young and beauti-
full, and possessed of those qualities Of
mind and heart which-and so on and
so forth. My coincidence because /
fear you are hit at last"
What do you mean?" stammered
the artist, sheepishly; do you know
her? What do you know about herr"
Nothing whatever" replied Sturgis,
laughing except what you are tell
ing me by your hesitations, your reti-
cence and your confusion"
The artist spoke after moment OF
thoughtful silence.
Your inductions in this case are
| premature, TO say the least. My sitter
is young lady, so much is undeniably |
true. And there is no doubt in my
mind as TO her possession Of all the |
| qualities you jocularly attribute to
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