The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-01-06
| IN THE SHADOW OF SHAME
: ' ::::::' :.:., So U5o oo~s' r.: :, =: : e. Is; .

W&
/, icruel in their expression; the nose de
, scending traight from u loW broad
forehead on which the crisp. hlue-black
hair grew in Il peak.
Wanting in principle he might be. !;
%scoundrel he possibly was. but there
WAS something winning in his pleasant
smile and in the almost child like man
: ner with which he challenged and ac-
cepted an admiration impossible to
deny him.
Come in. slgnor." he said. and then
fetching the chair which he believed
the tirmest on its legs, he added. and
sit dow here
much obliged remarked Mack
worth. conscious that his manner. his
movements. ana his phrases lacked the
easy grace which his host possessed.
You are II painter. signor?" said
Pietro. who. used to finding English
artists commonplace in appearance,
or bearing of the art they followed.
considered his visitor was one of that
el.,s; >.
40" answered Mackworth.
~ sculptor them" suggested the
model, who half-unconsciously fell into
a graceful attitude.
Nor n sculptor"
"WhQt them" askei Pietro, who be
gan to lose interest in a visitor Who
WAS not a probable patron.
Il came here To ask about your friend
MeZzA," Mackwo@th said.
What. Marco?" answered the model.
looking up quickly. and with something
of surprise in his glance.
The same"
what about htm%" Pietro asked,
looking slrewdly ut his questioner.
That IS what / want you To tell
me-
4 have not seen him for some time.
| He owes you money"
Mackwortn nodded his head, thinking
he might more readily obtain the in
formation he desired if'Pietro was all
lowed TO remain under Il deception for
the present.
There are many like you; l among
them ,siSnor," said the model. rolling
himself a cigarette between his long,
brown fingers.
When did You last sec him"
He stayed With me in these rooms
last summer, then he went back again
to Paris
"M'ha month did he leave you?"
1t Was in July: yes. it WAS just be-
fore the first days of August. You will
not get your money %signor."
And he stayed here with you?"
We were old friends; we had been
boys together in Naples. Then when L
grew up l went to Rome. \ French
artist had seen me. and he took me
with him as his model, and | remained
with him some years. After that |
Went to Paris, where 1 was in great de-
mand." he said smiling complacently.
Il met many English there. They
taught me their language. l WAS young
and handsome. l had artists waiting
on me by the dozen, ready to give any
Price ] asked. Look here" he contin-
ued. pointing to Il chalk drawing on the
with his Tyre. That is VIA l was
then: he sketch was given me by the
great Monsieur Julien"
Pietro stepped back in order that he
might admire this portrait of himself.
n child-like TOOL of pleasure in his dark
eyes.
Very fine, very fine ~indeed," replied
MacikWorth. who, though he had no APP
probation of art, could not help recog-
niZing the beauty of the figure, 1.-the
and graceful as Il fawn.
81 made money then" Pietro said.
the natural characteristic of greed be-
traying itself, for l charged highly
for my sittinss. l lived well, ! dressed
handsomely. ] associated with artists
who's" names ] helped to make and
whose pictures l helped To sell: for.
you see. without me they could not
'iiiSt vi Bdiht lIt StiltutS or pictures
their patrons bought, because | was the
subject"
This frank admiration of himself was
expressed with such an air of simplicity
that MaclSworth began to think there
was more of the fool tina the knave
in the models nature.
All. how pleasant was that: 1t was
the midday of my life. for it will never
be so bright again. SO happy!" Pietro
said medi,atively.
But Mezza?" suggested the in
spector.
Yes; had forgotten Marco.r an
swered the model. whose appreciation
of himself left no room in his mind
for others. "One day in Paris he came
to ms atelier. | had not seer him for
years, and he had changed much, TO my
eyes at least. for | remembered him
only as had seen him last. Many
things had happened meantime; he had
become a violinist, who might have
been great if he was not so idle. He
had no ambition, and was satisfied to
remain for years as first fiddle in the
orchestra of La Scala in Milan. Then
he had married.
Pietro paused, shrugged his shoulders
and sent a cloud of cigarette smoke
through his nostrils. Mackworth kept
discreetly silent.
His Wife had left him and was no,
surprised at that" continued the model.
for Marco always had a temper. was
as jealous as the moor of Venice. and
looked on life darkly. Ask Yourself
signor. what must be the life of Il wom-
an with such n huSband?'
Did h run away With someone
else" asked Mackworth suspiciously.
No: she was %virtuous: she went
back to the sister who had reared her.
so that MeZza had no cause for
jealousy"
NO. bu lie was Jealous all the same.
~ 19-
J~NM 81 ,