Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-11-28


We tried 70 think OF marriage with
Elsa but II was without enthusiasm.
Warm. beautiful afTectlonate. she
made no impression on his heart. which
seemed like ice.
He looked around the studio with
aversion.
The pictures on the walls seemed no
longer TO represent the aspiration OF
the artist. They were mementos OF
the models who had posed and hirtsd
and talked scandal within his walls
He paced the floor restlessly. nerv-
ously twisting his unlighted cigarette
10 his fingers until IT, acrumbled, his
mouth tight. his eyebrows drawn to
gether. Then he seized his hat and
overcoat and flung himself out OF the
door into the gathering winter storm.
For an hour he plunged through the
snow, the chaos OF the storm matching
his mood Almost exhausted. he turned
back toward his home aud entered.
The room glowed warmly. In front OF
the inviting FIRE was the big armchair
with its wide seat comfortable cush-
ions and high pulpit back. AS he laid
aside his greatcoat he stepped toward
the chair. intending 10 bury himself In
It's depth and surrender 10 his mood.
4 shudder ran over him. and he drew
back. staring az the seat
IL was empty. his eyes assured him.
but he could not rid himself OF a feel
Ing that IL was occupied He pressed
his hands to his eyes and then flung
them outward with the gesture OF one
distraught
Il am going mad" he thought
He called loudly. harshly:
Heinrich, Heinrich
The old man. alarmed az his masters
unwouted violence. FASTENED into the
room. Karl flung aside his coat. and
Heinrich held for him his velvet dress
Ing jacket He slipped into So. shook
himself and lighted a cigarette His
hands shook with nervousness. and he
held them out from him that he might
look at them.
"Oh. what terrible sight," he groan-
cd
"MonsieuS<" Heinrich said inquir-
inely
! HAS any one been hereG' Karl ask
cd
"No. monsieur; only Ma'mselle Mimi
She is waiting IN the studio 20 pose"
! With an impatient gesture Kari
/ walked across the room. picked up a
/ newspaper. flung himself on a couch
and held the sheet before his eyes. lie
did not even see the print but be per-
sisted. trying 10 Danish his restless
thoughts
] Heinrich. solicitously brushing and
folding Karl's coat, waited The artist
looked al him impauenuy.
Tell Ma'm'selle Mimi shall not
need her today. She may go"
| Yes. monsieur" Heinrich said.
The servant stepped 20 the door OF
the studio and threw II open He
called out:
"Ma'm'sene. 81. Karl says he Will
not need you today. You may so
home"
Heinrich withdrew. Karl lay at fun
length on the couch. holding the paper
before him.
! A young woman daintny featured.
( with rounded figure, whose lines show
ed through her close fitting costume.
| burst into the room.
Although conscious OF her presence
and irritated, Kari did not look. He
pretended 20 be absorbed IN his news
paper. Mimi looked AZ him and wait
ed. but as he did not speak she ven
tured timidly:
Aren't you going TO paint me to-
dayT"
Emo. not today"
"Do you not love me any more,
Karl?"
The newspaper ratified with the art
! lists impotence and irritation, but be
did not answer. Mimi approached him.
You do not love me- You have
ceased 10 care for me. All, Karl. when
you loved me you painted me every
dayl Now you paint nothing but land
scapes."
Karl forced a laugh.
Nonsense" he said. you talk like
a silly child. Mimi"
You say that now, but you did not
say such things when you loved me-
Kari 1t is always the way with us
poor models. At first II IS. 'Ah, what
shoulders, what beautiful coloring,
what perfect anklesF Then you paint
us every day. And then IT is: What
in the world have you done with your
figure7 1t is sill angles What OF
earth have you put on your face? II
is as yellow as old parchment And
then you paint landscapes"
Mimi burst into tears and vigorously
daubed her eyes with her handkerchief
She was an extremely pretty girl OF
the bourgeois type, with heavy coils
e straw coIored hair piled high on
her head and big blue eyes that were
quick TO weep
Karl arose, threw aside his paper
and essayed to comfort her.
There. there" be said. patting hel
shoulder. don't cry. Mimi You are
full OF folly today"
AS quick to smile as she had been e
cry. Mimi unveiled her eyes and looked
at him eagerly. her lips parting over
her white teeth.
Then you do love me, Kari3 All
tell me that you love mep