Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-17


were unfastened by sleepy half clothed trades people
who sold him provisions with wonderment. He pur
chased largely; indeed his purchases
that he forced make many journeys his studio
hugging the packages to his lean breast The wonder
ment had given way in nearly every case to rough
pity The great artist was most certainly mad If not
why did he live i'm a place when he wealthy,
and steal early buy bread and fruit?
Bah. cod-surely it was cold before the sun
climbed far!-and no man but mailman would be stir
ring early 1t pitful to be mad if one
great They had heard that all great men were mad
FRANCOIS had said and FRANCOIS man who knew
and they thanked lie bon Dieu that they
and were So they monsieur his goods in eX-
change for his dole Of francs and centmes and grum
bled no more than man reused from warm bed to go
shvering into gray morning might reasonably in
dulge in, The grumbng made little impression upon
Pierre He searching for the eyes in his own way.
His last purchase was at little shop where they
sold oil and small odds and ends of iron mongery and
rope. 1t poor place in the Rue St Paul street
small shops squat, foreheaded living places
overhead The shopkeeper was an old man
All, oui monsieur" he said, Il have ropeS
1t is strong?" inquired Pierre,
20, yes; strong to hold Monsieur needs it to
bnd?"
To bind something most valuable"
This will bear great strain"
Even the strain of a fortnight?
Monsieur is droll. lie will have his little Joke 1t
will bear a strain of many quntals dead weight"
All! dead weight! That is good! l will take IT,"
The old man stared after the gaunt, STOPPING figure
of the great artist
He may be great" he said, turning back into the
DUH paror behind. where the came He
may be wealthy. but he is most certainly mad. And
thank lie bon Dieu there strain of madness
I'm family; and as for povery-beter that for it has
its good moments"
Pierre went back with his last purchase chuckmg
himself In the studio was a litter of provisions
fruits, breads, liters of wine, meats and many
boxes candles, a great The model throne was
empty Beside IL stood the easel with the painted out
Pierre went up to it and looked at IT long with
a strange eagerness Then the striking of clock in a
church tower arrested his attention.
." Ten O'Clock" he said. Old Marsac will be here
and I have much to do
He mounted the throne. Al the back, in the solid
tinb OF
them and pulled at them with his long lean
fingers fingers that curously strong The staples
enough. Eagerly he UNFINISHED the rope and
tied il to the staples Then with an his strength he
ugged at it, throwing himself about I'm frenzy, twist
ing there, pulling on the rope with all the
nervous energy of his body. Both the rope and the
staples held.
Il am not weak" he nuttered vet i heldl II will
surely be sufficient for my purpose"
He busted himself with the provisions Most of
these he carried into the inner where he lived
table. Then he wandered round the room. All the win
dows thicly hung with tapestry heavy folds that
held all sound over the door brass rod and rings
for tapestry curtains, Iaboriousy he carried
pair steps the door and then dragged heavy cur
tans and placed them beside it, When he had finished
a knock, feeble, hating knock, al the door
Pierre opened with feverishly eager hands.
You late, Marsac," he said
Old Marsac came IN, leaning upon stick lie was
feeble scany, unkenpt beard covered the lower part
his Above II thin hooked nose showed. His
cheek bones prominent The flesh under the eyes
fallen He looked half starved His hands were
bony the fingers crooked. His eyes were the
most prominent feature of his face-bright restless
beadlike Pierre looked him narrowly, yet looked not
him much as his eyes They seemed TO fascinat'
him"
1t is i'll coming, monsieur for old / am
old Marsac answered His voice, like himself thin
seemingly half starved.
one moment, Marsac; I must put up these hang
ings."
You feel the cold. MONSIEUR"
This old place is drafty. These hangings viii