St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-02-09
~ Es, he's rich enough, Jack, but
not happy"

~ ES, he's rich enough, Jack, but
not happy"
Rich enough to buy paintings at
the asking price?"
"You need not worry abou. 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 exper. mis-
purchases, but he doesn't need my
services very much. However. I am
not silly enough to tell him so.
.sMade it all in mines. believe.
Began that way. anyhow. There's .
romantic story about his starting
from Illinois to find an uncle in Con-
net ticut and landing in Colorado
] don't know the whole of it. but
there seemed a guiding hand in al
most 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 Parish I never hear her
name without invoking q blessing on
her. Think of the Cremerie, Fritz.
and the Hole-in-the-Wall, and look on
sur present state. Who envies Colo
RADIO millionaire his millions!"
I'm sure I don't. He's far too
melancholy to be a subject of envy.
/ have some hope, though. that this
last bit Of yours will brighten him for
a moment. It's capital. old man.
Let's have a look at it,"
Jack Liscomb took the frame from
the floor and set it on the easel.
"It needs one more sitting, Fritz, y
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. 1t
was rural scene, all tender greens
end 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 its beauty
81 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 1t opened without summons
to the models hand.
.sGood morning, Miss Belle" said
yiscomb. "You won't mind Helmer,
will you? He's waiting for 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-
ery under them, and with but q mo-
ment's delay she struck the familiar
pose.
.That's fine," said Liscomb. picking
IN his brush and palette; and with
an;ck 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
Ave minutes when there was rap At
the knocker on the outer door and
Helmer, going to investigate, came
hack to announce his patron.
keep him in the outer room, Fritz" ("
.;d Tiscomb. "Miss Belle doesn't like
risitors. I'll bring the canvas in in .
minute. Take him the round OF the old
things"
.You'ye some very interesting work
herr Mr.. Liscomb," said John Har-
rinrton. few minutes later. He was
! tan. wen dressed, smooth-faced man.
with features that seldom changed ex-
nression. or showed emotion
II haven't done very much" said Lis
comb, with modest pride, "but think !
improve. Ny last bit. Fritz, here,
thinks il the best have done. Shall !
bring it out? It's still wet"
Harrington's attention was distract
ed for moment. When he turned, Lis
comb had placed the new canvas on an
easel. Harrington started as his eye
lighted ON it. Then he came forward
tinidly and leeksd It il again.