Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-28
DECADENCE
in ART
By AUTA POWELL
Copyright, 1901, bp Auta Po,ocu

Nevertheless, when she announc,
her intention of studying art, her
Their demurred. 1t was one thing
have talent, but quite a different ma
ter to depart from the beaten trac
and Polly's family had other view
for her.
LET her marry and settle down
said her father.
But Polly's lips came together in
very firm line. There were plenty {
women In the world. Let those VIII
felt inclined marry and be given /
marriage; as for her, she had mil
sion in life and she meant to pei
form it,
And she went about wearing such
set apart expression that parental oil
jections gave way and she was allowe
enc meager but soul inspiring year ii
New York.
After that began the long BATH
with publishers and advertising bu
reaus. Discouragement she met a
first with the joy of resistance, bu
that sort Of joy weakens with use
and surely Polly's i'll luck was phe
nomenal.
At last her cover for the Christina;
number of magazine was accepted
and hope once more lit its lamp in her
breast. But when villainous litbo-
grapher transformed her designs so
that nothing remained that she could
call her own, her stoicism gave way
utterly, and she folded her wings for
4 season.
1t was just at this juncture that the
Y. NJ. D. ID. G. made his appearance
This title he acquired later on, when
she discovered that he was Young
Man of Diabolical Cunning.
Polly had met him at more than one
function. and he swelled the list of q
large and embarrassing bowling ac-
Quaintapce frOm which individuals
We're once in long While selected to
Gil up vacancies made by removals
SaI occasional misundersta ndings.
Why should lie call upon her? She
ran rapidly over her scant knowledge
him as she came down to
meet him. Rather stiff and express
sionless. Rumored well off and OH the
point of marriage to some stranger.
very decided. nothing particu-
arly attractive.
The y. NJ. o. ID. G. rose before she
had time to smile any "glad to see you"
lbs
Good morning, Miss Greenway. Per-
laps l should apologize for troubling
'ou. but the truth is l am in a diem
IA and have come to you for advice"
Polly settled herself and became all
ttention. n man may be most unin-
eresting, but the moment he asks for |
dvice lie becomes In the eyes of the |
roman he is consulting a most discern
ng individual and decidedly worth cul-
waiting.
You probably are not aware that 1
ave been building house on Lincoln
treet."
She believed she had heard it men
oned In connection with the home
)ming of the stranger bride
1T is completed" he continued, land
now ready for the decorators. Just
ere Is where want your advice.
here are lots of professional dec
'atOrs. but none Of my friends houses
ltisfies me. Some of them have been
,ne by well known decorators. l
loose 10 think they show lack Of in
viduality. Now, / beg of you to un-
'rtake the management of the whole
heme Of decoration and furnishing.
b. pray don't veto it," as polly's eye
ows went up to her pOmpadour, "till
u have heard me out. | want each
ON In my house to be part of one
heme and the keynote of the whole
Ing to be simplicity. If you will I'M
rtake it you shall have all the help
u wish-anything, everything you
ed to carry it out. 1t is well planned /,
d well finished. l don't want it to
OstentatiOus or handsome or have
y Of those upholstery things, but to
quiet, restful. artistlc-a home in ev-
7 sense of the word"
But l don't believe I'm competent"
Id Polly, to whom the IDEA began to
peal strongly-'in fact. i am sure I'm Y
t."
Does that mean that you wouldn't !.
e to undertake it,"
Oh. dear, no. | think | should like |,
above all things. | wish had taken =
that sort OF thing Mt the art school,"
Then let us go at once and look at
house. and you can form your 0
u.s."
II five minutes they were on car. II
lily was carried off her feet The a
ole undertaking grew m0mentarily :.
re attractive. and, as she was an in II
crate castle builder. by the time the ',
stopped at Lincoln street she had -
ONE successful middle aged dec y
tor. 81
he found the house Il perfect gem in u
way, beautifully laid out and with
sorts Of possibilities in the way of
Grafton. AS she went from room TO
m her delight and enthusiasm were
d to see. 81
the work was undertaken, and up b.
the whole everything went well. el
did not often see the Y. NJ. O. d +
but his appreciation and sugges- OF
Is were always helpful, and tele-
ne message brought him immedi- bt
y when he was needed to smooth ca
--1T7W7 as