The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-08-09
CHAPTER VI.
THE ARTIST.

rlch. he might perhaps nave DecoHlc
a great artist. But. lacking the spur
of poverty. he seemed incapable of
sustained effort. Occasionally he was
seized with frenzy for labor; and.
for weeks at time he would shut
himself up in his studio, until he had
creditably accomplished some bit 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 it was that at the age of eight
and twenty. Sprague had painted
few pictures which had attracted IA
vorable attention at the annual eXhi
billions of the Academy of Design. and
which the critics had spoken of as
''promising:" and thus it was that
the promise was as vet unfulfi.led,
and that Sprague. though a man of
undoubtCd 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-
thence at his friends inert drifting
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 quail
ties which were lacking in himself.
The artist lived in fashionable
quarter of the city, in bachelor
apartment which included large
and commodious studio fitted up ac-
cording to the latest canons of artis-
tic taste.
On this particular New Years
morning, after waking and observ-
ing. by the filtering of a few bright
sunbeams through the closely drawn
blinds, that it was broad daylight. he
stretched himself with a voluptuous
yawn and prepared TO 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 n knock at the bedroom door.
Most men. under the circumstances.
would have betrayed some yeNation
at being thus unceremonously dis
turbed But there was no suspicion
of annoyance in Sprague's CHEEKY
voice. as he eNclaimed
"You cannot come in vet. Mrs.
O'Meaghor | am asleep. and 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 go TO
several masses before"
Get mp. old lazybones; and don't
keep man waiting at Your door in
this inhospitable way when he is in
a hurry" interrupted q voice whose
timbre was not that of the house.
keeper. Mrs O'Meacher
"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 a minute, till | put on my court
costume, that | may receive you with
the honors and ceremonies due TO
your rank and station
A couple of minutes later the artist,
pisuresquely attired in . loose ORR
entail dressing gown and fez. opened
the door to his friend. Ralph Sturgis.
Come in, old man" he said, cordial
ly extending his hama to the reporter;
'you are welcome a. 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 should be I'M
able to take our projected bicycle trip
this afternoon. | shall probably be
busy with the Knickerbocker bank
case all day. BY the way. if you would
like to come to the banl; with me. |
shall be glad Of your company. am
on my way there now
81 should like nothing better" said
Sprague, but | have made an APP
pointmert for this morning with "a
er-er with a sitter
"What, on New Years day, YOU
heathen!"
Sturgis observed the artist closely,
and then added, qui2zically:
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 auc
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 her?'
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 a moment Of
thoughtfui silence.
"Your inductions in this case are
premature. to say the least Ny sittel
is a young lady. So much is undeniably
true. And there is no doubt in m,
mind as 70 her possession of all III,
qualities you jocularly attribute t,
her; but my interest in her il onlf