The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-10-27
place. himself standing three feet inside the
room. still Watching the boy.

place. himself standing three feet inside the
room. still watching the boy.
Still unconscious OF any presence other
than his own, Paul's lips unclose, and, CIV
ing vent to a deep sigh. he murmured
aloud. every word heard by the listening
artist. "Oh. how wonderful It Is! How dare
I ever think to become an artist. now that
I have seen this. II NJ. Delaine saw my
sketches on the rocks he would surely
laugh me to scorn."
No! he would not do that said a kind
voice at the boys elbow, and, turning. Paul
met the kindly glance of Robert Delaine.
The artist held out his hand in greeting.
then with a pleasant iomely. sit down.
Paul; let us have a chat" he put the aston
ished hoy perfectly at his ease.
For half an hour he talked with the lad.
growing more and more interested at each
new revelation of character which his
q%uestionings brought out.
SHOW me some of your homemade
paints and brushes. Paul. the artist asked
after a While.
Paul united his parcel and displayed his
strange assortment OF colors and tools.
Now your sketches. my young friend"
said the artist wnen he had sazed with a
Sha "' ouh " - e"I ~
quaint items of painting craft.
Paul unfolded his sketches and laid them
timidly before the great man.
And you did these pictures with these
poor tools and pigments?' asked the artist.
as he looked wonderingly. alternately. at
the sketches and the materials with which
they had been made.
Yes. monsieur" replied the lad.
ssThor lat rna uIoEa y1,. 1apI a~atH nv
young friend" said the artist, suiting the
action to the word. for he went on.
you are worth helping; you deserve to be
helped. and I shall be proud to assist you"
Then. wishful to help Paul to recover
from the confusion his words Of praise had
plunged him in. he handed the boy q draw
ing block and pencil. saying: Now, let me
see what you can draw on-hand-any in
spiration you may have. you know"
Paul took the block of cartridge paper,
and, turning his back upon the easel. on
which rested the picture he had been 50
absorbed with on the great masters en-
trance. he began to ply the pencil with great
ra3idity.
Robert Delaine, watching the boys
movements. was struck with the definite
ness and visor Of his strokes-there was no
heSltation, no considering, no udilin6. ~
a swift. unerring motion. He was evidently
making a very rapid sketch of something OF
which his boyish soul was full.
The master crossed the room quietly and
looked over the lads shoulder.
Only for one second did he thus look.
The next moment. with al exclamation OF
establishment. he cried out excitedly: why,
what does this mean. Paul? That Is my
picture you are sketching!'
"Yes, sir"
But you have seen II for a few minutes
only. and now you copy it thus from MEM
ory," he went on, and his face. as we'll as
his voice, expressed the wonder he felt.
Paul turned his eyes upon his patrons
face as he answered fervently: "Ah! yes.
sir! But then see what manner Of picture
1t is! 1t goes deep down into the SOUL"
Robert Delaine had been feted and praised
and honored and decorated. over and over
again by the delighted nation to whom the