Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-02-14
In Love with a Painter
The Romance Of Portrait.
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] ACQUES BRUHIERE is an artist
u whose NEUROLOGICAL pictures have
most delightful modern air. nis
Grecian goddesses look like Pari.
siennes; their wind-blown hair. their
high-heeled sandals and a peculiar twirl
to their drapery have captiyated the
Partisan ladies. So they crowd jacques
studio and implore him to let them SIT
for Dianas and Andromedas. But he is
a most unromantic fellow, and is
swayed by no considerations other
than those of gain. Although be is but
/ 30, he has gained fame and some for
tune; and he is SO industrious that he
flies from useless words and time-cop-
sumers-that is 10 say, women and
bores.
A year ago, just after the art exhibit
closed, Jacques determined to 90 on
sketching tour. So he packed his
trunk, assisted by his friend, Eugene
de Lassi, and was bidding adieu to his
studio, when the servant entered with
a note. 1t was a nice little note, dainti-
ly perfumed, and the address was writ
ten in the most delicate hand imagin-
able. He read IL, frowned, and, crump-
ling II up, threw II on the floor.
'Confound the women!" he cried.
whats the matter?" asked his
friend.
why, I'm such an unlueky fellow"
replied Jacques. There's always some
woman or other bothering me, writing
about how she admires my paintings,
and how she'd like 10 see me, and all
that sort Of thing. just as II a man
should say he would like to see my
paintings because he admired the cut
OF my beard. Look" said he, picking
up the letter, address Nine. Leonie,
such street and number"
But" said Eugene, who was reading
the note, sits very well written, as
sure you, fun Of most delicate wit.
What are you going to do with it?"
"oh, you literary menl" groaned
Jacques. "What am going 10 do with
il? Why, burn il, Of course. What do
you suppose | am going to do with it?"
I'll tell you what TO do with it, said
Eugene, you're going away"
ayes"
"Then give it 10 me"
''Why, what'll you do with it?" said
jacques. with a stare.
"Well, III play painter" replied Eu-
gene. I'm not much of one, but can
daub a little-enough, at all events. to
deceive a woman in love. And I'll find
out who Nine. Leonie' is--that's only
part OF her name, I'm sure"
So It was settled. Jacques Bruhiere,
painter, set off for Switzerland, and
Eugene de Lassi. man of letters. re-
manned TO personate him. But only for
Nine. Leonie. Other visitors were told
the truth-that the master was gone.
AT last she came. Eugene's roman
tic fancy had painted her as young
and beautiful. But she was more than
that-she was divine. She was bru-
nette, and had the most delightful
nose, the most sparkling eyes, the most
glorious hair and the most adorable
little hands and feet that Eugene had
ever seen. He flattered himself that
he was correctly made up for his role.
His velvet blouse and jaunty cap were
a little too clean, perhaps, but that was
a good fault.
Nine. Leonie wanted her portrait
painted, and II was very difficult for
her TO decide how it should be done.
She wavered long. One day she would
be Omphale; the next she had decided
that TO be represented as Salome was
TO her peace of mind. But
when Eugene had made his prepara-
lions, his tickle goddess decided that
Delilah was the character that suited
her. And then she would wander
around the studio, and drape herself
with the barbaric stuffs used by long
gone models, and handle the curious
weapons, and examine the porcelains.
And then she would say that she was
weary, and would come the next day.
And she would go, leaving Eugene de
Lassi deeper in love than ever.
AS for him, he was in dream. lie |
had retired from the world. At his own
quarters his door was daily stormed
by publishers. by managers, by print
ers' boys, by creditors and by friends.
But no one knew where he had gone.
lie had told his servants he was going
away, but had not told them where.
II was wrong, decidedly wrong; but he
took certain ferocious joy in II when
he thought how he himself had once
pursued these same editors and man
ayers.
Eugene had at last discovered that
ais inamorata was a widow, wealthy
ind of good family. Her full name
Vas Leonie de Nores. He had never
old his love, but that she was blind
o IT was impossible. Yet she was Ger
ainly blind TO his painting, for she
her admiration of 1t with an
enthusiasm that made Eugene vince.
But one day. when be was, as usual
attempting to transfer her TO canvas,
atrocious tree which he m
- attracted /