The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-01-05

! cruel in their expression; the nose de.
} S~cendiRsS straight from Il low, broad
forehead On which the crisp, blue-biacl
hair grew in a peak,
Wanting in principle he might be. {
Scc@aaTS:. lie possibly was, but tsteFv
was something Winning in his pleasant
smile and in The almost child like man
ner with which he challenged II ac-
cepted an admiration impossible TIC
deny him.
Come in. sisnor," he said, and then
fetching the chair which he believed
the firmest on its legs, he added, "and
sit down here
Much oblised,' remarked Mack
worth. conscious that his manner, his
movements, and his phrases lacked the
easy grace Which his host possessed.
You are a painter. signor2" said
Pietro, who, used TO finding English
artists commonplace in appearance,
aud with little trace in their dress
or bearing of the art they followed.
r~Considered his visitor was n of that
class.
Nc" answered Mackworth.
"A sculptor then2" suggested the
model, Who hslf-unconsciousty tell into
u s;tucefui attitude.
Nor a sculptor
"W1at them" asked Pietro, who be-
gan to lose interest in q visitor Who
was not q probable patron.
I came here to ask about o NJ friend
AIezza," Mackwo-th said.
what, Nayco%" answered the model.
looking M GuieEiy. and with something
of surprise in mis- glance.
The same
WHAT about him?" PIetro asked,
looking ssrewdiy ut his questioner.
That is what l a you TO tell
me"
L have not seen him for some time.
lie owes you money!"
Mackworth nodded his head, thinking
he might more readily obtain the in
formation he desired if Pietro was al
lowed to renain under 4 deception for
The present.
There are many like you; I among
them ,signor," said the model, rolling
himself a cigarette between his long,
brown fingers.
When did you last see him?"
He stayed with ne in these rooms
last summer, then he went back again
to Paris"
What month did he leave your"
1t was in July; yes, it was just be-
fore the first days Of August. You will
not get your money, sisnor."
And he stayed here with you?"
We Were old friends; we had been
boys together in Naples. Then when I
grew UP I went to Rome. a French
artist had seen me, tand9h he took mes
with him as his model, and I remained,
with him n years. After that. +.
went to Paris, where Twas in great.de-
%mand," he said smiling conlplacently.
II met many English there. They
taught me their language. I 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 a chalk drawing on the
wall representing a youthful Apollo
with his Tyre. That is VIA 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,
q 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 q fawn.
L made money then" Pietro said,
the natural characteristic of greed be-.]
traying itself, for 1 charged highly
for my sittings. l lived we'll. I dressed
handsomely, 1 associated with artists
whose names l helped to make and
whose pictures 1 helped to sell: for,
you see, without me they could not
chisel or paint the statues or pictures
their patrons bought, because 1 was the
subject"
This frank admiration of himself was
expressed with such an air of simplicity
that MackwoIth began to think there
was more of the fool than the llnaye
in the models nature.
An, 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?" suggested the in
specto-.
Yes; / had forgotten Marco an
swered the model, whose appreciation
Of himself left no room in his mind
for others. "One day'in Pasis he came
to my %atelier. I had not seen him for
years. and he had changed much, to my
eyes at least, for l remembered him
MY as had seen him last. Many
become q 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 kent
discreetIy silent.
Ills wife had left him and I was not
surprised at that continued the model
"for Marco always had a temper. was
as Jealous as the moor of Venice. and
looked on life darby. Ask yourself
signer what must be the life OF i won1-
an with such q husband?'s
Did she 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, but he was Jealous all the same.
y M<a
lM AIN 3