The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-08-10
Her Chosen
Model

Helen Ford glanced up at the model
who was awaiting her verdict. He
was so handsome, so altogether at.
tractive and so very little resembling
her usual models that she found her
self faltering more or less confused
array of questions.
His answers fulfilled every desire of
the artist yet she was strangely hesi-
tant about hiring him for model. But
she needed just that leonine head with
its shock of red-brown hair and those
massive shoulders for her work; he
was the ideal for her portrayal Of
Strength, Courage end Endurance"
symbolic painting upon which she
was at work The artist in the girl
was too strong to admit the intrusion
of unfounded scruples regarding her
models and she arranged for David
Graham to come to her at ten o'clock
On the following morning.
Never, in Helen Ford's short career
as an artist, had she arranged her
wonderful mouse-coIored hair with
view to pleasing her expected models.
Yet, an hour before the time set for
David Graham's appointment, she
found herself unconsciously studying
each effect of her toilette. When Da-
vid Graham arrived he was made to
feel that he was model and nothing
more.
At the end of three weeks of fever.
ish work, each day of which had CIV
en- her three hours of David Graham's
time, she realized the meaning of her
fears.
Miss Ford" Graham's voice star
tied her "If you are not at criti-
cal point would like to stop for to-
day. l feel little tagged"
The girl, left alone, turned to lean
YEARLY on the mantelpiece. She gazed
into the glowing Goals.
'He knew l was tired" she told her
self; 'he is going because am tired.
am tired-desperately tired"
For an hour Helen struggled with
her feelings She knew that in her
present state she could not receive
David Graham again. His forethought
when he knew she was unstrung, had
only quickened the best of her love
for him.
At the end of the hour she wrote
note to her model telling him that
she would let her canvas rest for
few weeks. She would let him know
when she needed him again.
In the afternoon, after having taken
brisk walk, she returned to hel
studio to find dozen of the most per
feet American beauties she had ever
5een. There was no card. After that
they came at regular intervals.
When three weeks had passed Hell
Ell felt that she must get to work. She
wrote to David Graham and to Lilly
Drake asking them to come the fol
! lowing day to pose.
! David Graham greeted the artist al
usual with simple Good morning
/ When the other model arrived Hell
IN posed them as Strength support
/ Ing Weakness.
Helen felt, rather than saw, that
David Graham was disinclined to put
his arm about the girl model and sup
port her figure during the pose
The artist sketched the figures as
quickly as she could, but she felt
steady humping in her heart. She
herself had arranged Davids arm
about the girl yet each time she
glanced at her models the pangs OF
Jealousy grew.
When the rest moments came Helen
dismissed both models The strain
had been too much for her At least,
the two figures lived on her canvas.
As the door shut the second time,
closing on David's back, Helen Ford
dropped down on the couch and buried
! her head in the cushions
David Graham came swiftly to her
side He had turned at the outer door
before going out.
Helen, Helen" He took her into
his arms to still her trembling. Don't
you are only firing yourself"
Helen remained passive in his arms.
She was too tired to resist.
Look up, dear-the struggle il
over. I'm not a model any more"
His words brought Helen to herself.
She drew away and her eyes flashed
defiance at him.
Don't struggle any more" he said
gently. You have loved me for near
ly six weeks and now | want to hear
you say it,
81 will say nothing of the kind"
Il have the consent of your brother,
, anyway" David Graham turned
! toward the door. And l won't wait
very long for yours!"
| There was something in his voice
T, that drew Helen to her feet
wait! What are you talking about ?"
He came back and sat beside her
| on the couch.
"Only this-Out west l used to be
often in the house of one John Ford.
| On the walls, on the bookcases and
on the mantels were pictures of a girl
who had gone east to make a name
/ for herself. She refused to be loved
| by the many who wanted her and she
| went off with the career notion filling
her life. Her family told me that no
| ordinary man could win her from art.
1 came. posing as part Of the art she
loved. 1t seemed Hike the only way
-