The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-29
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Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph

The new lodger, Marius Piument. an
artist, was very annoying to Simone
LAGER who lived with her mother on
the same fioor In an apartment house on
the Rue Fontaine.
What had she done that this gentle
man should be so interested in her? She
could not open her door without seeing
his door Immediately swinging back and
encountering his gaze. Mounting or de-
scending the staircase, she always en-
countered him staring at her as though
she were a curiosity. He followed her
in the street, waited for her outside Of
stores If she had shopping to do. and once
he had opened q notebook and began
sketching rapidly as she passed him.
What did it mean? What should she
do?
One afternoon as Simone was coming
in, she saw him standing at the door,
sketchbook in hand. With a look of dis
dain on her face she passed into the
house and he walked beside her. Fright
ened, she rushed to the stairs and ran up
them, he followed swiftly behind her.
The ascent was so precipitous that the
sound Of her footsteps reached Nine. La
gier who came to the door just as her
daughter reached the last turn in the
staircase. Upon seeing her daughters
emotion and recognizing the young man
as her neighbor, she guessed that 81
mone's flight was through fear Of him.
Before her daughter could speak, she
said severely:
''Who are you? What do you want?'
But Marius was as disconnected as
Simone, and, having run UP five flights
of stairs, he had not breath enough to
reply
'Who are you, and what do you mean
by running after my daughter" Mad
ame's voice was sterner.
Madame" he gasped. 81 have not
meant to be impertinent. I am an artist.
I have come to ask you to let me have
your daughter" Here his breath failed
and he stopped abruptly.
Simone's face expressed the utmost
stupefaction while the sternncss faded
from her mothers. A well-to-doyoung
man asking to marry her daughter was
not to be sent away without hearing.
Accordingly she threw her door open
wide and invited them to enter. He hes
itated an instant, as though he would
speak then stepped aside to allow her to
pass in first. Left alone with the SUR
prised girl, he turned to her and said rap
idly:
'Mademoiselle, had no idea Of marry
ing; your mother has misunderstood me.
l wanted you to pose for me for my pic
ture, my new picture, for the MOSCOW
exposition It is to be called La Petite
Parisienne," and you are the perfect type
of the little Paraisian. Now, If explain
your mother will never consent. All!
mademoiselle. will you not pretend that
we are engaged and sit to me?'
His earnestness, his terror lest she
should refuse. touched Simone. and the
humor of the situation appealed to her.
YES" she said with frank little
laugh. 81 will!' And they entered the
apartment.
Madam was all excitement, and gave
her consent to the sittings, during which
time, she said, she could consider him at
leisure as q possible son-ir-law.
Then" Marius whispered to Simone,
as he left, "at the end of the sitting
you can say you have decided that you
cannot love me, and L will go, apparently
broken hearted"
Eyes, it will be great fun" said the
little Parasian, land Will have my por-
trait in the great picture gallery at Mos
cow, and maybe 1t will win q prtze!
"If it is a likeness. it is sure to-"
The next day the work was commenc-
ed A question Of costume was raised,
Nine. LAGER preferring an evening dress
with jewels, the artist simple gown of
gray and no ornaments, except a flower
in the pretty hair. He carried his point.
and Simone made q beautiful picture. IN
deed, standing beside the window, her
hands ciasped loosely before her, her
eyes looking down at the street. Inc
pose was simple and natural and brought
out her charming figure and the poise or
her dainty head.
''You are loYely!" said the artist in the
most impersonal tone.
At first madame was very careful to be
always present, and watched with de-
light the outlines grow to resemblance
upon the canvas. But soon she grew
tired of this, and finally left the young
people alone most Of the time.
They talked usually in desultory fash
ion, but one day the conversation TOOK
a more serious turn.
s'When you marry" said Marius. you
must tell your husband about your first
Il shall not marry" replied simone,
calmly.
'Why?"
because I do not want master"
"a master, mademoiselle? A slave,
rather!
Husbands are tyrants. woman must
give up everything to the selfishness OF
a mans wishes. No, I want to be free"
"But there will come a time when you
will be alone In the world. VIII you not
want some one to care for-oh, L know
you will have a cat, a dog
81 will have my liberty. monsieur. But
III.
rage, have I not heard you say you
would never marry?'
"Ah! yes, but with a man it is differ
ent-With an artist doubly so. L snail
always have my art to live for. Women
are shrewish, scolding creatures, who
have no understanding. When Wife en-
ters farewell to art and fame. No. thank
fortune, I have no taste for family life.
Nor l." said the young girl.
At last the picture was finished. 1t
was to leave that same evening for Mos
cow, the next day being the last on which
pictures would be received The artist
carried it to his own room after Simone
had looked a long time ut her own por-
trait with very peculiar expression IN
her eyes.
az will tell mamma in the morning.
she said.
"You have been so good, how can L
ever thank you!" exclaimed Marius. and
Simone smiled sweetly but said nothing
There was just three hours TO pack the
canvas and get it to the station. Marius
sat down TO his studio and contemplated
his work 1t was a perfect likeness.
There she stood. His Petite Parisienne,"
delicious In her dainty prettiness. He
gazed until it seemed that the real
Simone stood before him and he wished
she would turn and speak to him.
Then a. most extraordinary thing &C.
Cured. Suddenly he realized that the
sittings were over, that the sweet COM
partnership of so many days was broken
forever The charm Of her personality
touched him in memory and his heart
throbbed at the words, Never again.
His whole consciousness was one pain.
How long he sat thus he did not know.
All thought of the train and the picture.