Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-01-05

artists commonplace in appearance,
and with little trace in their dress
or bearing of the art they followed,
considered his visitor was one of that
| class.
No" answered Mackworth
"A sculptor them" suggested the
model, who alf-unconsciously fell into
Il graceful attitude.
Nor Il sculptor"
What them" asked Pietro. who be-
gan to lose interest in visitor who
was not probable patron.
II came here to ask about your friend
| Mezza,' Mackworth said.
WHAT, Marco?" answered the model.
looking up quickly, and with something
of surprise in his glance.
The same"
What about himo" Pietro asked,
looking shrewdly at his questioner.
THAT is what l want you to tell
me-"
Il have not seen him for some time
He owes you money!
Mackworth nodded his head, thinking
| he might more readily obtain the in
formation he desired if Pietro was all
lowed to remain under a deception for
the present.
"rhere are many like YOU; among
them ,signor" said the model, rolling
| himself u cigarette between his long
| brown fingers.
When did you last see hino"
"He stayed with me in these rooms
last summer, then he went back again
to Paris
What 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 We're old friends; we had been
boys together in Naples. Then when
| Il n
artist had seen me. and he took me
with him as his model, and / remained
with him some years. After that l
went to Paris, where was in great de-
mand,' he said smiling complacently.
II met many English there. They
taught me their language. ! was young
and handsome. / had artists waiting
on me by the dozen. ready to give any
price l asked. Look here he contin-
ued, pointing to a chalk drawing on the
wall representing a youthful Apollo
With his Tyre THAT is what l was
then: the sketch was given me by the
great Monsieur Julien
Pietro stepped back in order that he
might admire this portrait of himself.
a child-like look of pleasure in his dark
eyes.
Very fine, very fine indeed" replied
Mackworth, 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 flwn.
Il made money Them Pietro said,
the natural characteristic of greed be-
traying itself. for l charged highly
for my sittings. | lived we'll. I dressed
handsomely | associated with artists
whose names | helped to make and
whose pictures 1 helped to sell; for,
chisel or paint the statues or pictures
their patrons bought, because l was the
subject"
This frank admiration of himself was
expressed with such an air of simplicity
that Mackworth began TO think there
was more of the fool than the knave
in the models nature.
''Ah, how pleasant was that it was
the midday of my life, for it will never
be so bright again, so happy" Pietro
said meditatively
but Mezza 2" suggested the in
spector.
Yes; L had forgotten Marco, an
of himself. left no room in his mind
for others. One day in Paris he came
TO my atelier. l had not seen him for
years, and he had changed much, to my
eyes at least. for l remembered him
only as l had seen him last. Many
things had happened meantime: he had
become II 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.
Petro paused, shrugged his shoulders
and sent a cloud of cigarette smoke
through his nostrils. Mackworth kept
discreetly silent.
Ills wife had left him and was not
surprised at that" continued the model,
for Marco always had temper, was
as Jealous as the moor of Venice and
looked on life darkly. Ask yourself
signor what must be the life of a wonl-
an With such a husband?"
Did she run away with someone
else?" asked Mackworth suspicously.
mo; she was virtuous; she went
back to the sister who had reared her"
so that N1eZza had no cause for
jealousy?'
mo, but he was Jealous all the same.