The Worthington advance., 1901-01-11

" Els, he's rich enough, Jack, but
not happy"
''Rich enough to buy paintings at
the asking price?"
"You need not worry about prices
if you catch his fancy. He has pref
ty fair idea of art values, too. and
knows something about color aid at
mosphere. He isn't buying daubs,
and yet he hasn't had any technical
training, I'm sure. It's instinct. He
says he just knows what pleases
him. He employs me to expert mis-
purchases, but he doesn't need my
services very much. However. I am
not silly enough to tell him so:
Made it all in mines. I believe.
Began that way. anyhow. There's q
romantic story about his starting
from Illinois to find an uncle in Con-
ne; ticut and landing in Colorado
don't know the whole of it. but
there seemed guiding hand in al
must everything he undertook. Now
he lives in Chicago half the year and
Newport and New York the other
half. with side trips to Paris.''
"How far away Paris seems after
five years." said Jack Liscomb. "Dear
old Mother Paris! I never hear her
name without invoking blessing on
her. Think of the Cremerie, Fritz,
ana the Hole-in- the Wall, and look on
CUR present state. Who envies Colo
RADIO millionaire his millions!"
I'm sure don't. He's far too
melancholy to be subject of envy.
I have some hope, though, that this
last bit of yours will brighten him for
a moment. It's capital, old man.
Let's have look at it,
Jack Liscomb took the frame from
the floor and set it on the easel.
1T needs one more sitting, Fritz"
he said. I'm not quite satisfied with
that bit of drapery. Belle is coming
this. morning for the final work."
The art critic moved from one side
to the other, studying the canvas. It
was rural scene, all tender greens
and soft yellows. In the foreground
stood the figure of young girl, in
simple country dress. Her right hand
supported her head. Her cheek was
slightly sunken and there were hol-
lows under her eyes, which strained
at the far distance as though they
saw the faint first sign of an ap-
preaching figure. All the melancholy
of the face only added to it's beauty
II call it 'Waiting,'" said the artist.
''Belle is perfect in studies like
this" said Fritz Helmer. "She is al
ways sad. Is that she?''
There was a quick knock at the
door and it opened without summons
to the models hanG.
"Good morning, Miss Belle" said
Liscomb. "You won't mind Helmer.
will you? He's waiting for a friend
who wants to see the picture. Now
if you'll get in place."
The model threw aside her wraps.
She had worn her professional drap-
cry under them, and with but a mo-
ment's delay she struck the familiar
pose.
'That's fine," said Liscomb, picking
up his brush and palette; and with a
quick glance at the light and shadow
of the drapery. of the left arm, he fell
to work on the canvas.
He had not been working more than
five minutes when there was rap at
the knocker on the outer door and
Helmer, going to investigate, came
back to announce his patron.
Keep him in the outer room, Fritz, u
said Liscomb. Miss Belle doesn't like
visitors. I'll bring the canvas in in 8
minute. Take him the round of the old
things"
"You've some very interesting work
here, Mr.. Liscomb," said John Har-
rington, few minutes later. He was
. tall, well dressed, smooth-faced man.
with features that seldom changed ex.
preston or showed emotion.
II haven't done very much," said Lis.
comb, with modest pride, "but think
improve. My last bit, Fritz, here,
thinks is the best have done. Shall ]
bring it out? It's still wet.''
Earrington's attention was distract.
ed Tor moment When he turned, Lis.
comb had placed the new canvas on an
easel. Harrington star ed as his eye
lighted on st. Then he came forward
taaaidlys an. Leaked At it. t'again.