The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-21
A COURSE OF PAINTING.



have risen symmetrically TO form the
pillars OF her aisle leaned this way and
that in his.
Yet she realized that, had she yeyer seen
the alley. only the canvas before her, she
would have had the material from which
10 shape her ordered result.
As she stood studying the picture, un-
conscious of both herself and her COM
psnion. the painter studied her. tie noted
with pleasure The pure and sensitive pro-
file and the austere folds OF the nunlike
gown.
"Do you always paint your first impress
sions?' she asked
when they are not too difficult have
never tried "a Madonna or a saint, though
/ think-though 1 know--I should like to.
An. Fraulen. you have moved
Elizabeth had indeed started for the
clock I'm the market tower had reminded
her OF the object OF her visit. and, with
the tightening OF the lips that always ac-
companied her jarring descents upon
prose, she stepped back and drew herself
together.
Il came to see Herr Hofmeyer on bust
ness" she said, "and already IL is time 10
go I forgot how the minutes were pass
ing
80 did l. But as Herr Hofmeyer Is
confined TO his room, and your visit
would, In any case. have failed in its OBJ
iect. you mustn't grudge the pleasure u
has given me- III I could be OF any SER
vice--in delivering a message, perhaps-l
have been acting as sort of understndy
running the studio. more or less. since
Herr Hofmeyer broke down.
II hope his Illness rs not serious. II is
very sudden. He was well yesterday. j
x,.aif ha recovered.
oh, no; II Is not urgent
Then, ashamed OF her relief. ana think
ing TO bind herself to the bitter task.
she went on: II came 10 ask him 10 give
me lessons"
You did?"
The astonishment. the remembrance OF
the tone. tempted her 10 explain.
She was one of the people who speak
direct or not at all. When out OF touch
with the temperaments around her. she
was silent; when I'm touch, she spoke the
truth of her soul.
Herr Hofmeyer's method is painful TO
me- but ! wish 20 learn II. i am one OF
the Blumenthals who keep the girls
school in the Taubenstrasse. My sisters
are verys unselfish. and do far more than
their share OF the work. In fact only
teach drawing-it ~ the only thing l can
do: and. OF late. IL has seemed as tf
couldn't even do that.
-Four Of my pupils have left me for
Herr Hofmeyer in one month. Ills style
Is more popular than mine with the par
ents. and the medium of oils, in itself,
seems to impress them.
Herr Hofmeyer does not require moro
pupils-in fact. hear that he has refus.
ed several-snd ! need them very much,
II am TO contribute anything like my
share 10 the common income.
81 want to do fairly by my sisters. as
far as IL is in my power-but. perhaps. af-
ter all. / shall not be able TO learn"
"iou say four of your pupils have LETT
you this month. But. Frauiein, this Is
tragic. Hofmeyer hasn't been teaching.
1t IL 1 who have taken your pupils from
you'll Mein Gott, And thought II such
joke
Il enjoyed the fun--the absurdity-of
playing the serious art instructor TO
lot OF giggling schoolgirls. Don't you
see? was passing through the town. and
paid my old professor a flying visit
THE poor fellow had just collapsed.and
was so worried about his classes and
things that | stayed on TO see him
through. IL doesn't matter where work.
This studio is as good as any other.
mo wonder they threw you over: the
whole thing was a farce. | didn't 'even
try to teach them. YOU know as well az
] do II would have been no earthly use
20 try; so ! just let them dab away. and
told yarns, and made myself agreeable.
And this is the result. Ach, Fraulein.
from my heart am sorry! But you shall
have your pupils back. The little
wretches! If had known"
He paused a moment, wrinkling his
brows i'm thought.
Perhaps IL I called on the mammas
I'm not an octogenarisn. and i would
look as dangerous az I could.
moi" with a questioning smile, for
Elizabeth had shaken her head). You
think they would consider me quite safe.
I daresay they would. Though not abso-
iuteIy decrepit. ] certainly have reas-
suring number OF gray hairs. And you
mean 20 say the young villains never told
YOU about Hofmeyers Illness But the
governess who brought them?"
She has Just left US. We could not
trust her ! can quite imagine her In
league with the girls in a matter OF this
sort The English boarder who accom-
panied them yesterday might certainly,
from various remarks she made, nave
reused our suspicious.
Were they very--severe?' The ques-
ton was put ansiously.
mo not very" Elizabeth answered,
with the ghost OF a smile. She was pre-
possersed In your favor
"Its more than ! ON In my own. And
now I seem 10 be too stupid TO hnd a
way our OF tne mess 1 90 SEE oh'. duh
IL there's no other of course ] will take
| t. could leave the town tomorrow--it's :
what ought 10 do and then IL would al
least he a fair night between YOU and the
professor"
Elizabeth opened her lips 10 speak. bu'
paused clasping and unclasping hc'
hands. as she had a habit OF doing wher
| agitatcd.
There is n better way than shat" she
| At last ventured. 'ft is your method that
! has attracted them. you see. II l could
! learn that, But l know I ask too much
| And IL were clever enough 20 acquire IL
| l should hive such All advantage over tEe
| Herr Professor that 20 would not be
| fair night after all. fear I ought not e.
| propose this
"Fraulein, you make me proud ant
| ashamed in one. Nothing would give ms
! greater happiness--I mean it-than q
| teach you my poor tricks. but must b'
| honest Why do you make people honest
! II is terrible power The trick. I'm THU
| case. didn't all lie IN the painting. No
! at al in tho painting. indeed. II lay "
| my dsplerahle want of conscience. Th'
| lesson was ths merest--the most shame
| Icss-. rec "