The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-12-21

en- hours out of every twenty four. The
publishers are in a frightful hurry |
guess that's why | got the job; the ia
nous fellows wouldn't rush so. I've
made one picture already. What do
you think of IT."
He set the picture on the easel, and
they regarded it for moment in 81
lence.
Its dreadfully sensational" said the
girl, with little laugh. but It's all
right
1T had to be bit brisk.' responded
Varick. 'The passage was marked for
illustration. Loren-that's the hero
gets into rather serious mixup with
wild western specimen named-well,
never mind; can't remember his
name"
He took up some proof sheets from
the table.
"'The plainsman laid a hasty hand
upon his weapon he read, "'but be-
fore he could fire Loren ran around the
end of the long table and leapei
through the open window I've got
him right in the middle of the leap
Full of action, isn't it? What do you
think?''
II think the hero is splendid mark
and wonder that he got away" said
Florence. But there's heap of sool
drawing in that picture. You've told
the truth, no matter what the author
has done"
'As to that" responded Varick, II
suppose Chase doesn't know much
about shooting. He's made his repnta
ton as a portrayer of simple life and
homely characters. That's where he
stumps me. l made that picture in two
days and had no trouble at all, but I'm
going crazy over this one' And as he
spoke he set another board upon the
easel
''That little girl is seeing her first
Christmas tree" explained Varick
"The heroine-a New York society belle
named Livingstone-and Loren, the cx-
schoolmaster, take fancy to Il child
between three and four years old and
get up a Christmas celebration for her.
They set up the tree behind a curtain
in Miss Livingstone's drawing room
and bring in the little girl-Beauty-
without telling her what she's going to
see. Here's the passage in the story:
will you draw the curtain or will II
asked Miss Livingstone.
80 I think you had better answered Lo-
rem in gently authoritative tone. remi-
niscent of his schoolmaster days.
AT that moment Beauty. who had es-
capped from the maid, came running into
the room, exclaiming: Where is my
Christmas tree? l want it right nowr
Loren gathered the child in his arms
and talked to her wisely of the virtue of
patience, while Miss Livingstone darken-
ed the room, SO that the lights upon the
tree shone through the curtain, Just like
the beautiful stars in heaven as little
Beauty said.
'At last all was ready, and Miss Living
stone proceeded to slowly draw aside the
curtain until the glittering marvel was
revealed. Then Loren could no longer
hold the child, though he would have
liked to have done so. Quick and elusive
as a fairy, he was unable to hold her.
With outstretched arms, as IL to clasp
the tree and all it's wealth of good things
to her little bosom, the eager child sprang
forward.
That's what I'm trying to show
said Varick, "but somehow can't man
age it. The child eludes me just as she
eluded Loren in the story. I've had
half dozen models here, but they
won't do anything. They just stand
still, as if they We're hypnotized.
suppose 1 don't know how to manage
them. I'm not accustomed to children u
"The girl in that picture is seventeen
years DID," said Florence.
after the children went back OH me
got Lucy to pose just OH the chance
of a suggestion, and Sister Lucy is not
in her first youth. She's thirty; that's
what she is, though perhaps oughtn't
to mention it. However," he proceeded
1--we got the scheme now I'm going to
reproduce the scene, by jingo. There's
my tree. there's my curtain. and I've
bought lot of candles and orna
ments''-
"Have you chosen your model:"
There are the ones I've had here al
ready, Of course, but I'd like a new one
Don't you know little girl who could
play Beauty in my scene?'
II know one who'll look the part" an
swered Florence, ''but whether she car
play it,
''That'll be all right when she has thu
tree to look at. She'll run for it fast
enough. When can You bring herr"
"Ill have her here at o'clock this
afternoon"
He thanked her heartily and prom
Used help in return for hers.
"As soon as this job is off my hands.
said he. "I'll take hold of your worl
with you, and We'll thump it into
shape You can't fail, Florence
won't have it, Just look at it as mat
ter of life Or death and fight your way
through"
Promptly at Florence brought th,
model, and at the sight of the chilt
varick's JOY nearly paralyzed him.
Ideal, ideal-absolutely idealv b,
cried and repeated the words over ant
over again as If he had no more iii hi
vocabulary.
The child clung to Florence and ex
hibited lively terror whenever th,
wild eyed artist approached her.
~ suppose a studio Is strange spec
| tacle for her." said Varick
eat three and half.' Responded
Florence, "most spectacles are strange
! She'll get used to it. That's what livin.
:s-'a process Of getting used to things
Nice place, isn't it, Beautys"
YES" said the child.
whats your name for this after
loon?''