The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-30

but Just from habit. However seems 1t
comes handy"
What do you mean?' stammered Ju-
liam Melrose. paling visibly.
I'm just going to conduct little art
class of my own" Charley said. az m just
going to give a little instruction and crti-
cism myself" He looked straight at Jul
liam Melrose. "Pick up that board with
the paints on it-and those brushes"
Melrose stood defantly.
"Pick-quick" Charley said, deliberate
Iy as he raised his gun
| stood motionless. like all the rest of
the girls, intent upon what hap
pening. | felt that any one must know
that Charley would not fire; but l did
not stand there before that black muzZle
with Charley McAuleys eyes looking
along It, With an apprehensive glance
at the pistol, Merose did as he was
bid
Now" said Charley. pointing to my
canvas, there's nice frame that you've
Just most thoughtfully cleaned off. | guess
we'll have YOU make a little cartoon for
us on that. An you've got to do 1t good
cause I'm bossng las job. an my artis-
tic judgment Is most severe. Understand
Julian Melrose stood holding the brushes
and palette through which he had in
stinctively put his thumb. | never sa Y
such incarnate fury as showed in his
white face He seemed unable to speak,
almost unable to move.
"Now." said Charley. seating himself
on a stool We'll begin. I'll just give
you ten minutes to turn out a MASTER
piece"
"This outrage" Melrose suffered
Hush" said Charley, very gently
You're not talking to these beautiful
young ladies any more. To be strictly ac-
curate. I'm talking to you. I'll tell you
therefore. that you've got so accustomed
to being around among women and hav-
ing EN- bow down to you and fatter
YOU that you've forgot what's becoming
in a man Because you've been allowed to
terrorze a class girls you've got 20
think lot too much of yourself-too lit
tie of what is due the ladies. I'm just here
and now going to rectfy that little error
on your part an teach you lesson. Now
we'll come down to what's doing. l said
I'd give you ten minutes. ! saw fellow
at a fair once make a picture with col
ored chalks of Washington Crossing the
Delaware in five mnutes-ice and flags
and surrounding scenery in full If you're
what you're cracked up to be. guess you
can slap us out something in ten. You
don't need to do any thinking; I'll fur
nish the subject Ladies'" he said turning
to the class, we are now going to have
an interesting exhibition of this renowned
painter giving us his idea of the way
the Father of his Country looked on that
historic winter nlgnt Wnen ne surprised
the British"
"a picture" cried Julian Melrose, with
out modes?"
do you need something to paint FROM"
said Charley. "Why, haven't you got far
enough to do without copying%
"A picture" gasped Melrose. with a
subject"
well said Charley, hasn't a picture
got to be OF something. Now you paint
an I'll do the talking
Charley looked at him steadily and for
a minute did not speak. Paint Julian
Melrose did. could hardly believe what
I saw Under the compelling gaze, Julian
Melrose turned toward the canvas Char
Iey's look seemed to impel him, and he
raised his brush.
one by one--step by step-the girls
drew forward. Their eyes were round
with staring. Their mouths open with
wonder was 1t true? Still there was
Charley sitting and smiling and Melrose