Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-18
With Palette and Brush.
By>cAssIE M. LYME.

Margaret was home again. After the
two years spent abroad she found her
self rztherElonely since sdeprlveu OF. tnoSt
friends who become very dear in 30:
hernia, aud Bohemia to. Margaret meant
the colony OF Americans in the Latin
quarter. There,s at least, was the con-
genial atmosphere OF art, with sympathy
Of interest. which is perhaps one Of the
greatest spurs to Industry. In the Studio
she had fitted up in New y ork she felt
herself an exile: True, there were some
of3the old familiar sketches, but: these
only made her home-sick for; the absent
faces Of her former comra des.
W11en at the: age Of eighteen. being left
a penniiess orphan, an uncle, whom she
had never seen; but Imagined as. asrusty,
crusty,a old bachelor, had written, offer
Ing her a, home. But siaTgalttts college
training had developed ideas of indie
pendence totally atvariance with such
a plan. Existing on his bounty seemed
an objectless lire, irreconcilab bic to her
Industry and ambition. Afiuence and
idleness were to be Stunned like Scy4la
and Charybdis. Il 5. 80 81 So
A letter to her uncle explaining these
feelings told him also how thankful she
would be for his aid in becoming self
supporting; and believing herself to
possess talent, the wish of her life was
to become an artist. 80. q e. -
Joe Clark readily :acquiesced in his
niece,s plans. The care of : a girl sol
eighteen was, responsibility not to be
coveted, besides, he admired her pluck.
The self-same spirit had carried him
West to retrieve hisi fortune after the
war. left. him without a cent. His sue
cess had been almost phenomen email, but it
10 I1xvo 4 ar1-
so that to. a certain extent he had de-
veloped into: philosopher. He believed
hard ticks kindled; good qualities like
striking flint. brought out fire
During MaFgaret,ss stay In Paris the
money Z for. current expenses had been
cheertully supplied. Upon her return she
had been cautioned by him to- "be sure
to start right which being interpreted,
meant comfortable quarters in the best
part-of the city, -,
Hers was an attractive studlo.-.sThe
room was sunny and bright. Several fine
copies from the old masters ornamented
the walls.;A shield, battle-aX and spear
hung In one corner. Above az.window
seat. attractive with bright, cushions,
were placed fans rich in the court-life
-of-sLouis .Quatorxe. Rich Turkish rugs,
an oriental lamp, several VASES, unique
I'm design, i easels, sleepy holloW. chairs,
together with. palms and an open fire,
made withal a cozy, den. :.
But IT. was SO essentially proper, the
effect was palling on the. artistic. sensi-
bilities of Margaret.
Many were the hours spent alone in he1
studio, rejecting on the notifying
truth that as yet she was not a sue
cess, or in other words, the fashion
The newspapers reported the opening
of the AGA deny Of Design, the loan ex-
hibit at one of the fashionable clubs,
and public reception held in the prl-
vate gallery Of a millionaire. showing
society was interested in art; but Mar
gar-et remained In obscurty.
Several young artists, like herself
fresh from Paris, had cropped in to see
her to discuss the dear old days at Ju-
Fevre and Bou.anger. Invariably they
went away secretly coveting her es-
Enlistment, while Margaret envied their
cfeerfulness. One Of them had already
obtained a position as illustrator for a
We'll known magazine, another had re-
ceived several orders lor portraits, SO
they were busy and happy.
One afternoon: finding the loneliness of
the studio insufferable, Margaret doomed
her furs and went for a stroll in the
park, but the air. was too chilly for
NdlhliIS u sUe. pledSdNl. OTlCk= ana
mortar of the Metropolitan seemed al
Turing. so the girl entered, knowing full
well the beauties of the museum would
prove a pleasant pastime.
The galleries we're well-night deserted.
Seeking the picture which was deareS.
to her, Margaret stood wrapt in admira-
ton before Rsuben's Return of the Holy
Family. Presently she fe:t a presence
near. An elderly man was standing by.
Siding close beside her. he said:
Missy, you look spel:bound' She
started, the comment breaking the 81
lent enjoyment seemed irreverent. But
the expression of the stranger was;
kindly; evidently he had meant no in
trusion.
You see,,. he was saying. I never
was in a3+places like this before; hadn't
any idea what twas like. There's a pic
tures right behind you which to my mind
beats all the rest. Lemme seeN (referrf,s5
to his cataloguel, it's called .A-a Help
ing Hand, but L d call itss.Companiun-
ship. Just step this wa - and take a
look. Yonder tbs! That little gal trying.
to help that old sailor. You can scee
happiness written all over his face. be-
cause the little girls along sharing .-.,...
life! fought to be called Companion
ship. The man who paint ed that knows
how q. fellow feels to: be old and-and5
lorey.. 3.4 s @ ss3 ~
There was. a. wistful tone. in the:
strangers voice, arousing sympathy in
Margaret.s heart. His talk continued:
seems this picture amt rated high
as some Of these others, that. one Of
NAPOLEON at Friedland costs way up In
the thousands. w war is: always ex-
pensive, but peace real peace, can be.
boughtg'ce pt perhaps in. pictures, Ell p.
.Really ]" said Margaret t, noticing how.
vacant the room was becoming, must
be going. They will be shutting up soyll
L am glad You liked the picture N od-
ding. pleasantly she started to leave.
The old man followed close behind her
DO you know how to paint?''s he squer-
led. ! IS
"a little., was the reply. a..s.5
De you make al living out OF, It ?','s
His sarrulity was beginning to trespasss
on a forbidden subject. Us 500 sSs
~ have very recently set up my stu
dit" she mumbled.