The age-herald., 1901-03-17
... The Model ...
BY DaROTHY DOUGLASS,

down the long passage.
 The moments dissolved into hours so slowly to the medel longing for release that she might rest her limbs, cramped and numb from the continuous position. Monsieur Henri. the sculptor, anxious to reach a certain point in the work be- fore daylight waned.
 From her high platform, Marie had studied the numerous casts, freizes and marbled figures until she yearned for something new. On the shelves the little cherubs and Cupids, dust laden and yellow, were ranged in careless pro fusion. She knew every line and curve of the dismembered arms and legs hang ing on the wall The dreamless sleep of the reclining Sleeping Beauty was positively maddening to poor, exhausted Marie How heavy grey the little figure of the Christ-child in her arms as the hours dragged by. Over in the corner the hideous head of Mephisto leered, seeming to mock at her misery.
 There! Be careful! You must not move. 1 tell you now already too often"
 Monsieur's sharp voice broke the still ness. His soft left shoes made little sound as he ran down the steps, where from distance he could critically study his work and the living Madonna stand ing there so white and quiet.
 You have changed the pose. See; the drapery Is fallen here-move your right arm higher-no, no-stupid, not SO! Look at the figure can you not see? There, now; do not move againt'
 Marie looked at the clay beside her. It was beautiful. He had caught just the right boise of the head the rounded -1z 70 oE. T kE@. fat1 NreNFa of the encircling arms holding the infant Jesus so tenderly. The drapery con cealed yet half revealed the exquisitely moulded limbs. It needed but little toning down here, a smoothing off there, or perhaps a bit more clay here. Mon sieur Henri was justly proud of his work-it would bring him much fame. Marie was a good model, but of late she was getting thin, and today of all days she was so restless, just when he was so anxious to get the figure In shape for Father Felicians inspection the good father who had given him or ders for the Madonna, and for which he was to pay a goodly sum that would help fill Henri's already overflowing coffers. Something of smile filtered over the thin. wrinkled visage of the old artist as he seemed to hear the musical clink of gold.
 So 1t was with aHaDleneSS I1OL uHilllAeu with considerable awe that he received his worthy patron that afternoon, plac- ing an easy chair for his reverence, and even opening a bottle of old Port In his generous feeling. Marie, screened from view by baize curtains, was glad of the priests arrival, wearily dropping down on pile of drapery. She heard the voice of the priest in conversation close by, and she well knew just how Monsieur Henri was trotting about the father, first on this side, then on that, nervously wringing his hands. his wide mouth stretched to its fullest capacity, his sharp little eyes twinkling with gratified pleas ure at the wirds of praise from such hold man.
 "Ah, my good Henri, it Is more like today-wonderfully improved since l saw it last, t,"-observed the priest after a crit ical survey of the statue looming up against the curtained background.
 ''Merci father but yet 1t Is far from perfect. The model was not good today the pose was changed An, l have such trouble with models!" Here Henry sighed dolefully. "The stupids know not how to give life to the pose. Marie. who posed for this is very good-sometimes- not today. See she posed for this, and this, too,' indicating a figure of Psyche in antique bronze and a small Hypatia.
 But the father was not looking, his attention being centered on the saintly Madonna.
 Henri would it not be an improvement to arrange the drapery differently over the head? It shadows the face too much, The expression of the face is too good to be hidden"
 To Marie there came bits of the conver- sation, catching the meaning only now and then. The tone of the fathers voice was so kind she loved to hear it--it Ind ad her O11iaic. dppn. peaceful and satisfying. She hoped the father would remain for some time; she was so tired. and it was warm and com- fortable lying there in blissful rest. AS in a vague dream came the smooth mel low intopations as a lullaby, lulling her to rest
 "Henri I am much pleased with it. Just make the few alterations I suggest ed, and it will be perfect. How proud shall be to place it in the cathedral for all the world to see and admire. It shall do you much credit, my good man."
 "Merci mon pere." murmured the de- lighted sculptor. 'I am indeed over whelmed with your kindness. But have smaller Madonna-one with face so sad. O, the grand pity of it,-so divine. Par don, father; I will bring it you,' and to the show rooms he hurried, leaving the priest still contemplating the figure.
 He surveyed it from all sides, studying the loving pose of the head, the graceful folds of drapery. A curtain at the side seemed to shut out the light. He pushed it aside, and there saw the living counter part of the cold clay-a sleeping Madon- ma. The little imaged Christ-child had fallen from her arms and was lying on it's face at the platforms very edge. As in a maze he gazed down at the beautiful living flesh and blood. innocently slum- herring. one hand under the lightly flushed cheek. The drapery had fallen from the brown hair that was massed in rich waves about the white neck and bare shoulders. The white rounded arm outstretched Oh inc dark draperies was as chiseled mar ble.
 Holy Mother!' he murmured under his breath reverently Lowing his head. The white, almost transparent, hands appeal ed to him. The sweet mouth, with its saddened droop as of grieving child, was so pathetic. His kind heart went out to her in great pity.
 .Poor child Holy Mother, protect her"
 Softly he let the curtain fall shutting ont the sweet vision. When old Henri re- turned the father was at the far end Of the room studying the frieze of the Last Supper ,
 His reverence's visit was short that day. and Henri thought he was much preoccupied scarcely looking at the fig ure over which the old man SO enthused. passing some of his best work without so much as glance. t
 Henri was paclfied at the fathers prom ise to return in a few days, so bowed his patron out with many gracious salaams
 With rough touch and sharp voice. he awakened Marie, bidding her come early on the morrow, doling out the meagre pittance due her, very grudgingly.
 With almost child's anticipation she