Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-04-01
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND. FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL l. 1904
THE MODEL
AT VIVON'S
By lola L.
FCRR Z S TER


the lesson. Little Vlvon moved lightly
and restlessly here and there from one
easel to another, his small, black eyes
mere high lights Of sparkling eager
ness under their heavy brows. He
smoked his short, thick pipe and glanc-
ed from the charcoal studies to the slim
white figure on the platform.
The sunlight poNred full into the
long, bare atelier Suddenly the model
swayed ever 30 slightly and sank to
the floor.
Some Of the girls gave quick. fright
ened cries, and Jean Laurier glanced
mp with a smothered exclamation of
angry dismay over his unfinished
sketch. From the first easel to the
right Of the platform the American
student Hal Crane, sprang to the plat
form and raised her head on his arm.
II was such young head. The loose,
warm tinted hair lay softly against his
shoulder, and he noticed for the first
time how thin the small, piquant face
was.
Vivon hoped excitedly the length Of
the room and waved his small plump
hands for order.
at is nothing" he said. "She Ia
fatigued, II is so warm. Can you carry
her, NJ. CraneT
Could he carry herr Crane smiled
grimly as he raised the slender figure
In his arms. Why, his little sister
Bess, back in Charlottesville, Mo-, was
heavier than this. He followed Vivon
from the atelier away from the bat
terry Of amused, curious eyes to the
artists private den.
ma FOL-" laughed petite Yvette, her
eyes narrowing critically, that was
not bad. that last l think I shall
faint, too, and let lie gros Crane wnltx
me or In his arms"
Laurier leaned lazily over her shout
der and scrawled rough caricature
on the corner Of her paper.
Like that%
She boxed his ears soundly and
reached a greedy little hand after the
box OF bonbons Elsie Ticot was pass
ing. The model was forgotten.
| Lay her there" Vivon nodded to a
corner divan In the inner studio heaped
high with pillows, sketches and cos.
tunes. Crane ruthlessly pushed the
latter of with his foot to make room
for his burden. He laid her down gen.
tly and held to her lips the glass Of
water Vlvon brought.
ut Is just faintness, yes" asked VI
Won anxiOusly.
Crane stared thoughtfully at the
white face among the pillows. He had
been hungry once back in the first days
OF the battle. The little home in Craw-
louisville had sent him out to the great
city OF his dreams, and only long after-
ward had the fight been his own. He
thought he recognized the look that
comes to those who are tracked by the
wolf
II think that she's just about starv-
ed" he said bluntly. Get some wine
or brandy or something"
Vivon obeyed. The Americans had
a way that made men obey.
"Who is she1" asked Crane when he
had managed to get few drops Of
brandy between the pale lips.
Zone OF Ribauts models" Vivon an
swered nervously. The sounds from
the atelier were not conducive to peace
of mind. Yes. she was n new one RI
baut had sent her to him yesterday,
and he had engaged her for the polse
the grace, the turn OF the head, that
line from the tip Of the ear to the slope
Of the shoulder. She did not pose for
the life classes. merely for drapery and
the polse effective. And the name-it |
was I'm his notebook.
He took Il out and read from the lat.
est entries:
"Vlrginia Wade"
"AmericanT" asked Crane. using |
more brandy as he saw a Hutter of the |
eyelids.
But, yes" VIyon shrugged his shout |
ders "WheD they come over and are |
poor they must do something. Some |
are 30 proud they hide away and starve.
and some nut up the grand fight"
"Where does she liver
Crane glanced ND. The little artist
had gone back TO the atelIer as n fresh |
crash sounded, with Yyette's peal of
laughter ringing above Il.
When the girls eyelids opened he |
smiled down at her in a friendly fash.
ion.
Feel betterY"
81 guess no." She hesitated and add
ed, with scared look in her dark blue
eyes, "Did I faint I'm tbereY'
"oh. yes; that was nothing. Lots
do" Laurier had said the American
had reduced cheerful lying to an art |
TITS 30 hot there In the mornings, you |
know"
There was culver OF hopeless dis
appointment around the curves Of her
mouth, ana he knew what troubled
her. There was five franc piece In
his pocket He laid 1t unblushlngly
on the tabouret beside her.
"Vivon SAID that was yours. He
couldn't walt, but he said to come to-
morrow, and this IL for the two sit
hngs"
Her eyes frightened with surprise,