The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-03-07
A COSTLY
CHRYSANTHEMUM
ny JOHN Il. RHFTERx.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


MrTsHATCHER," cried CHEEKY voice
from the corner of the studio,
"Oh, Thatch!"
aWhat is it?v growled Thatcher,
shifting his easel and fumbling over a
pile of twisted tubes. He was thin and
pale but for the patch of red on his
cheek; his eye was dilated and fever
ish what is it Hector?" he repeated.
.sAin't mad are you?' chirruped Hec-
tor, coming out from the screen be-
hind which he had been washing
dishes.
.sMad2 No; why should be mad r.
Tim going to ask you delicate
question, that's all, Thatch?"
ssWell?"
s'Saw Brownlow last night at the ex-
hibition,' parried Hector, wiping a
plate.
'sNo question about that muir
INJURED Thatcher, lolling back and
squirting at his picture.
"Well, don't fly off now, Thatch. He
asked me to ask you if you't take a
thousand do1lars for
cFor whatw' The painter turned
quickly and there was a hard, challeng-
ing note in his words and manner.
ssFor The hrysanthemum,' an
swered Hector, pausing in his dish
wiping and looking pleadingly at his
friend.
Thatcher had turned back to his
easel. He was biting his thin lip. His
hand was trembling, hut there was no
irresolution in the frown upon his pale
forehead -
s'What do you mean by asking me
suchra question? ?" asked the painter,
without turning.
"Mean? Why do ever mean2 ]
think it's good price; I know you
need the money; you haven't anything
else finished. Brownlow is the richest
amateur in New York. Mean? / just
mean that you ought to take it. Sell
The Chrysanthemum.' When she
comes over If she comes, you can paint
another for yourself; if she don't
"Shut up, Hector!" roared Thatch-
erl" painting furiously so that the
thrum of his brush could be heard in
the still room. Then after long
pause: 81 won't sell it--hear that,
Hector?"
The painter got up, lighted cigar
cite and stood before the only finished
picture on his dreary walls. 1t was of
a woman, yellow-haired and smiling,
her Blue eyes luminous in the half
light, her gloved hand lolling across
the edge of cafe table. Hector
whistled softly and disappeared be-
hind the screen. Thatcher, rapt and
hectic, stood staring at The Chrysan-
themum." Then the friend came forth
wiping his hands, patient, CHEEKY, the
picture of health. He plunged his
strong fingers into bucket of model
ing clay, and with stray glances at
Thatcher's work, sang softly to him
self. For half an hour they worked in
silence, the painter resting now and
then as If weary, the sculptor, aproned
and alert, whistling or singing, in the
exuberance of health and hope.
"Thatch," he said at last, winking
siyly at the lay figure on his table,
-Iend me $40, Thatch ?''
Il haven't got $40" said the painter
starting.
Hector Yhistled "La Paloma' for
two minutes. Then:
"Thatch, you're getting extrava-
CANT
Thatcher struck his brush handle
into the jardiniere Of sand, folded his
thin hands and with a wistful smile
turned on his friend.
Hector" he began, ssI'd better fell
you before we get to misunderstood
ing each other, You know I've been
doing pretty well since the Koeller ex-
hibit I've sold over $1,000 worth. Won
know. But can't lend You $40 BE-
cause fact is, Hector. I've sent ii all
to THE Chrbsanthemum. Her last
letter said she'd leave Paris on the
10th. She'll be here New Years day.
When she's here it'll be time enough
to sell Brownlow the picture. I'll need
the thousand all right and I'll have
her.
Hector hummed airily as he ogled
his mud mercury.
SO you've sent her every dollar"
Except the rent; you know paid
the rent this month"
Does she know how hard up
Why, I'm not SO hard up, Hector"
protested the painter I'm discovered,
arriving, my ship is coming in"
Has II left France ~ with a subtle
sigh.
~ 4 can only keep well" resumed
thatcher coughing stertorously, ssif
! can only keep well and finish these 2
He waved his bony hand at row Of
sketches and half-finished pictures
~trewn about Then with feverish
haste he attacked the work before