Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-01-29
The Mysterious NQSteT.
By William LIE Queux.

really ought not to relate this story
suppose, because the person it chiefly
concerns is still living and is one of the
best known men in Europe, but as BIZ
ographers have a habit of betrayine
condolences l think that in this matter
l may be forgiven if anticipate them.
| was poor, my clothes were thread
bare, and my stomach was often pain
fully empty.
While busy copying Durers "A(lora-
ton of the Magi'' in the Uffizi in an at
tempt to grasp it's marvellous technical
handling and fuency of coloring three
bright faced English girls, probably
tourists, entered the Tribuna. One of
them passed behind me to examine my
work, then. probably taking me for an
Italian because of my pegtop trousers
and soft hat, exclaimed quite audibly
in English to one of her companions:
Look, dear! What frightful daub.
The poor fellow is a student. | sup
pose. But he'll never make an artist,
that's certain"
An hour later was sitting in the at
tic, high up above the noisy Via Con-
dotti, which served me as a studio and
living room, plunged in black despair.
The door opened, and there advanced
timidly into the room a strange, i'll
dressed, white haired old man, who, re-
moving his shabby hat. greeted me af-
fably in Italian. His face was thin and
wizened, his figure lean and shriveled,
but his eyes were black and full of q
fire that age had not dimmed Accom-
panying him was young girl of per-
haps Is of that rare type the fair hair
ed Florentine.
Il trust you will pardon my intru-
sion," croaked the queer old fellow in
thin, squeaky voice Il noticed you
copying in the Tribuna today. and it
afterward occurred to me that you
might have some pictures for sale.
When l returned, however, you had
gone. Therefore l ascertained your
address and came here. Have l your
pardon?
"Ah,'' he added "you have something
there, seer
ut is a failure" admitted sadly. !
He raised his eyes to mine with an
inquiring glance and then proceeded to
criticise my work in a manner which
showed him to be no tyrO in art.
The young girl with the blue eyes sat
also gazing ut the picture, but uttering
no word. l fancied, however that she
sighed.
"You see my work. have no tai
ent," l added despondently. when in
answer to his inquiries told him my
story.
'You mistake" he answered kindly.
"You have some talent. but you lack
the dexterity which makes an artist.
That picture there. for instance" and
he pointed to the easel might be turn
ed into very creditable piece of work
with but little effort. If you'll allow
me, I'll give you an illustration of
what mean"
To this | made no objection, and a
few moments later he was at work
with brush and palette painting away
with astounding rapidity. while l
stood by wondering as the picture grew
beneath his hand. BY the addition of
subtle touches here and there he was
completely Transforming the work,
showing the tinted and throbbng flesh
against the warm light ground with a
technical execution that bewildered
me. had never seen man paint like
that before.
"Ah," exclaimed at last in profound
81 ciu to : IND
Il have painted" he answered enig-
matically, and his lips closed as though
he wished to say nothing Of himself. Il
do not buy my own poor work. But
you are in need" he said. Tomorrow
take it to FerrOni in the Via CaiZaioli."
ITO Ferroni" exclaimed. But he
Is the greatest and most critical of all
the dealers. Surely he viii not care
for my work O.
Take it to him and see"
| stood before the easel In the soft.
red light of the Italian afterglow and
maryeled at the transformation that
had been effected,
Next day. with the canvas under my
arm. entered Ferroni's. not. | must
confess. without some trepidation.
When the dealer saw it. he grunted:
THE old man has done this! 1t isn't
your own work" he said bluntly. look
ing at me- THE mysterious master
has been at work again. How did he
discover your
/ explained the whole of the circum-
stances.
"Ah. you are lucky indeed" he re-
gpopded. This is not the first picture
of his that / have had, yet | would
know his work amid 10000 canvnses."
But who is hep / inquired anxious.
Iy. HE refused TO tell me his name"
"Nobody knows" responded the deal
er.
HE is a master" I declared, admir-.
ing the picture.
- Undoubtedly Such technic is pos
sessed by no other living painter. 1t is
because of that ! am able TO offer you
1000 lire for the picture"
A thousand lire! stood open mouth |
ed.
1T was more than you expected, ehT /
he rejoined, with laugh.
Weeks passed, however. until one 4
morning while l was busy he entered I
accompanied by Filomena. He seemed 4
rather more feeble. and single glance 1
at the girl. whose sweet face. with the /
clear blue eyes. was such an exact rep i
Hca of that exquisite little Madonna /
of Vandyke in the Pitt palace, show (
ed that she had sadly changed Her /
cheeks had lost their roundness, her /
face was pale. and she was evidently /