Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-06-17
The Daily Short Story
DURANo's APARTMENTS.

1
There is friend OF mine i'm Paris, a
painter who has all the talents and no
talent OF his own. He would copy or Inn
itate Greuze or "A Vatican 10 perfec-
ton. \ Diaz 10y him only wants the sig
nature. which an INSCRIPTIONS dealer
| does not hesitate TO forge. My friend.
whom we viii call Durand. is an excel
| lent man. Industrious and clever. but
too negligent To take the initiative in
anything. even in painting. Well, he
| had given notice to leave his apart
ment last July, on the 10Th of the
month, at noon, according TO the GUS
tom OF the country. He had, however,
been so absorbed In his painting that
he had forgotten to retain a wagon
to take away his furniture. and when
he did at last concern himself about
the matter he only succeeded in secur-
ing one for the end of the day.
But at noon precisely. just as he was
putting the finishing touches to IA copy
of GreuZes famous ''Cruche Cassee."
there came an imperious knock at the
door. Ii was the new tenant. escorted
by her furniture. She was furious to
find that Durand was ''dawdling" over
his paint brush while all her furni-
ture was out i'm the street exposed to
the gaze of indiscreet passers. She
even threatened to call the police.
Durand. like many painters. thinks
the sea more charming than ever when
agitated 10y n storm. lie found some
resemblance between this woman and
the sea and concluded that his fair
visitor was rendered more charming by
81,
of age. She had dark hair and blue
eyes, a fine, nervous figure. and her
rosy nOstFils' We're slightly dilated by
her emotion. She was accompanied by
a little girl of years of age, little
golden haired fairy. What cOntinu-
ed the irate lady. you are not going
away until o'clock? 1t is absurd.
What am l TO do with my furniture?
Where is the proprietor? ! must see
the proprietor"
Durand sought an ally. The little
girl was playing with n shepherdess
in porcelain that stood on a table.
Would you like it,"
"Oh. yes, 1t is so droll.'
Take it,
Jeanne" said the mother, 81 forbid ;
you to accept anything"
"Only to please her" replied Durand.
81 could quite understand your pro-
hibition. but it is an economy for me.
1 shall have so much less TO move
Women are eaiIy disarmed. The lady
fixed her eyes on the tapestry in order
to keep her countenance.
Your name is Jeanne:" said the
painter.
Yes" answered the child.
"And your papa-wheTe is he:"
"He died two years ago, and mamma !
is widow"
Then. turning to the lady, Durand |
for his sins. told her lie had |
cleared one room and that he would |
90 and help TO get her furniture in.
Soon the furniture began To find its !
pIace-the wardrobe, the mirror. the |
bookcase. .Oh. madame, without
knowing YOU / can read your mind |
Montesquieu, Balzac, Bossuet, Hugo |
Lamartine"-
la. Ia. la cried the angry lady. |
''You would have done better TO leave |
before II O'Clock than to be trying TO /
study my character
II am working all the time, madame.
Look have placed the console there
here the statue of the Virgin-this little
mirror opposite the window
"Oh, it is no use! You cannot make
peace with me-
There was an interval of 20 minutes.
during which the lady stood at the sa-