Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-01-08

MIN when he arose. lie was
filed with misgiving. doubt, uncer-
tainty. His thoughts, half formed, dis
turbing. were Of Olga.
He tried to think Of marriage with
Elsa. but 1t was without enthusiasm.
Warm, beautiful. affectionate. 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 fiirted
and talked scandal within his walls.
He paced the floor restlessly. nerv-
ously twisting his unlighted cigarette
in his fingers until 1t crumbled, 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
OASh lOWul AiS AollC uuu CANGANus
The room glowed warmly. In front Of
the inviting fire was the big armchair
with its wide scat, comfortable cush-
ions and high pulpit back. As he laid
aside his greatcoat he stepped toward
the chair, intending to bury himself In
Its depth and surrender to bis mood.
A shudder ran over him. and he drew
back. staring at the seat.
1t was empty. his eyes assured him.
but he could not rid himself Of d feel
ing that 1t was occupied. He pressed
his hands to his eyes and then flung
them outward with the gesture Of one
distraught.
II am going mad" he thought.
He called loudly. harshly:
Heinrich. Heinrich"
unwOnted violence. hastened Into the
room. Karl flung aside his coat and
Heinrich held for him his velvet dress
ing jacket. He slipped into 1t. shook
himself and lighted a cigarette His
hands shook with nervousness. and he
held them out from him that he might
look ut them.
"Oh, what a terrible sightr' he grOan-
ed.
Monsieur" Heinrich said inQuir-
ingly.
Has any one been hereY Karl ask
ed.
mo. monsieur: only Ma'm'selle Mimi.
She is waiting in the studio to pose"
With an impatient gesture Karl
walked across the room. picked up a
newspaper. flung himself on couch
and held the sheet before his eyes. He
did not even see the print. but he per-
sisted, trying to Danish his restless
thoughts.
Heinrich. solicitOusly brushing and
folding Karl's coat. waited. The artist
looked at him impatiently.
Tell Ma'm'selle Mimi I shall not
need her today. She may CO."
Eyes, monsieur" Heinrich said.
The servant stepped to the door Of
the studio and threw it open. He
called out:
"Ma'm'selle. NJ. Karl says he will
not need you today. You may 60
home"
Heinrich withdrew. Karl lay ut full
length on the couch. holding the paper
before him.
A young woman daintily featured.
with rounded figure, whose lines show
ed through her close fitting costume.
burst into the room.
Although conscious Of her presence
and irritated, Karl did not look. He
pretended to be absorbed In his news
paper. Mimi looked at 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 1mpatience and irritation, but he
did not answer. Mimi approached him.
You do not love me. You have
ceased to care for me. All. Karl, when
you loved me you painted me every
day! Now you paint nothing but land
scapes."
Karl forced q laugh.
Nonsense" he said. You talk like
q SILLY child, Mimi"
you say that now, but you did not
say such things when you loved me,
Karl. 1t Is always the way with US
poor models. At first It Ii. .Ah, what
shoulders. what beautiful coloring,
what perfect ankles. Then you paint