The Newtown bee., 1900-06-01

foresaw some flnesse on my side would be necessary, for If he approached me for any considerable loan, whether granted or refused it, he would, as 8 matter of course, subsequently, shun me. My one chance lay, therefore. in delay ' ing the crisis as long as possible.
 But I didn't know Curley then-not truly; short of 8 week after I had re- ceived brief of his character, he called, and finding me at leisure, as is commonly the case, for the heat and burden of my professional day is over, In the course of most de- lightful talk on art-that being a weak point of mine-he popped the question. Though E"popped," notwithstanding he took me wholly off guard, is not exactly the right word, for he advanced to the point by imperceptible degrees, using sort of process of mental suggestion.
 recollect he induced me to creep, in imagination, of course, to the door, part ly ajar, of an artists studio. It was & sky-lighted attic, tapestried with cob webs, and provided with few essentials of art and domestic economy, the latter bearing in most instances the pawn broker's ticket of number. The artist, sole occupant, wearing the conventional rusty velveteen Ejscket and the ditto Idown.at-heel slippers, and-what I thought at the time and still think an artistic blunder-having his legs incased in trousers that should have exposed at the knees, but did not, some vestlges of underwear, if only frszzles,-sat before 8 splendid canvas, rapidly putting in the foreground. Where I stood could not clearly make out the subject of his pic ture, but I saw at glance it was a Pa ola Veronese, and some of it's details, gilded cornices, silver ewers, velvet dra- peries and the like, contrasted painfully with their material congeners. Artists are as 8 rule, believe, tall, slender and eager-eyed, but this man was living anatomy, as his knees attested, and his great dark eyes were fired with genius or star rVation-perhaps both-for even ae viewed him he slipped of his stool, for. tunately not tall one, and fell prone or the floor, obviously overcome by mental and physical exhaustion.
 My professional instincts were aroused I rushed to his side, felt his pulse, took his temperature, and, after rapidly scrswling prescription for port wine and turtle soup, rang the crazy bell with ! r. so~ lol haI seemingly through vast deserted tene' ? ment for fully 15 minutes, at the end o1 which period stout, frowzy, middle aged woman appeared in the doorway |, Thence, after surveying the scene quite vt her leisure, she spoke.
 Her words were few: "What's the rumpus?" she inquired. Out of all man ner of patience, I cried, "My good woman, can't you see for yourself? This poor fellow has swooned through mani |, tioni'
 "InanatIon, is it?" she echoed, cross. ing the floor heavily and planting her. self in front of me, hand on either hip. "Inanation tbe blowed! But sure, 'tis
 
 cloths an watches, forby yez docthcr. should know what is ailin' him-'tis the lack av his beer! Which the same was cut off this Saints day at av this marnin'
 Further particulars she was proceeding to give, when shut off by groan from the patient, whom had contrived to lift to 8 diIapidated lounge. "Fetch any stimulant there may be in the house," ordered the woman. "stay, take this, and fetch 1t from the nearest pharmacy put some silver in her outstretched palm, and from that day to this have never seen her face. The patient slowly regained consciousness, however, and experimenting, after time, that & friend, though stranger, was at hand, feebly whispered: s'Could you grant me 8 trifiing loan to tide over the present emergency? "There," indicating the pie ture, Sis my surety that it will be repaid, with compound interest,""
 s'No, MT McKim," I responded, this time in reality and to my guest. ssIt grieves me to disoblige you, but am principled against lending money-af least to friend. But will gladly meet your wishes in another form--a gift, in- stead of loan.'
 He rose from his chair, and slowly drawing himself to his full night, said simply, 1T am gentleman"
 . ssI, too, I trust,' I hastened to say sstherefore, while assuring you that no offense was intended, beg you will par don me if my interest, nay, sympathy, in the artistic career has led me to oyerstap the limits of our individual intimacy"
 He took the hand extended. without