The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-04
BY Robert
Louis Stevenson


vived In Ill feeling: and the instant tho guests
departed II would break forth again as bitterly
as over The talk wandered from this to that
subtect-for with accord tho party had de-
clared II was too late go bed: but those
two mover relaxed toward zach other: Gonerl
and Regain In sistcrly tiff not more bcnt
enmity.
II beg youT Pardon" said Leon suddenly. 81
sec no use in pretending. Before in
here we heard sounds indicating-if / may
express myscf-an imperfect harmony"
STR" began tho
But tho woman beforehand
1T Is quite true" she said IT sec no cause to
be ashamed. Ii my husband is mad 1 shall at
least do my utmost to prevent tho consequences.
Picture TO yourself. monsieur and madame" she
went on for. she passed Stubs over. that this
wretchcd persona daubcr. incompetent, not
Mt to BIO sign painter-receives this morning
an admirable offer from unclo-an uncle Of
my own. my mothers brother and tenderly be-
loved-of a clerkship with nearly n hundred and
nifty pounds year. and that he-pioture to your
self!--hc refuses 1T! Why? For sake OF art.
he Look at his art say--look at 1t! Is
II ht to DO seen? Ask .him--is It 1T to be sold2
And 1t is for this. monsieur and madame, that
no condemns mo to the most deplorable existence.
without luxuries. without comforts. In vile
suburb of country town. Oh mol" she cried.
mo- L can not keep silent-it is impossiblei
/ take these gentlemen and this lady
3udses-is this kind is 1T decent7 is 1T many7 Do
] not deserve better at his hands after having
married him and'-(a visible hitch)-'dons
everything in tho world to please himT'
doubt IL there more embarrassed
company at table, every looked like a fool;
and tho husband like tho biggest
Tho art Of monsieur however" said Elvirs,
breaking the silence lis not wanting in dis
tinction"
1T has this Distinction" said tho wife. that
nobody will buy IT."
Il should have supposed clerkship.-beEan
stubbs.
Art Ia art" swept in Leon. ct salute art 1t
is the beautiful tho divine; it is the spirit OF tho
world, and tho pride OF life. But And the
actor paused.
"A clerkship"- began Stubs.
I'll tell what 1t is" said the painter. 81 4
artist. and MS this gentleman says art Ia
this and the other; but OF course. my wife III
going to make life piece of perdition ali
day long. prefer to and drown myself out I
hand" ~,
Col" said his wife should like to sec y,onva
Il was going to say" resumed Stubs. "th very
fellow may BIO clerk and paint almost torous
he likes know a fellow in a bank who ,vavar
capital water-coor sketches: he aoth on n
ioI seSeh-ahu- + animal
Art is art" he repeated. sadly ."h ciyiIized
water-coior sketches practic!ng oIecessity TO
1t is life be lived" jnnkey Gash
And in tho meantime people starvs wounded a
the woman OF the house. III that yyeepinp and
not for me-" noss drjyan ~
IN tell you what" burst for,,ot at monkey
madame. into another room an
with wife: and I'll stay here
with your husband 1t may ENH
let's try"
Il am very willing replied the yS4lAD
and she proceeded to light a candle
IL you please" And she led Elvira uFary resting
a bedroom THE fact Is" said she. Sly other sort
that my husband cannot paint" else they
mo more can mine net" replied ElvirIacte Dy
II should have thought he could" returne COCKS
other. 'hc seems clever" ply
Eivira, but he cannot act O0s'' dies
AT least he is not a sheer bu,nhup I,La r,,n. ei
he least sing"
-, You mistake Leon" returned his wife. warmly.
He does not pretend to sing: he ba. Ton
hne taste; he does for living.
"Humbug rot" replied the other "you came
ers near passing the night in the fields: and.
for my part. live terror OF starvation
should think IT mans mission to tbink
twice about his wife. But it appears not Moth
ing Is their mission but to play tho fool Oh"
she broke OUT is IT not something dreary to
think OF that man Of mine! If he could only do
u, who would caro-? But no-not he-no more
than cam"
Have YOU any children?" asked fclyira
mo; but then may"
Children change much" said EIvira signing
ana Just then from the below there
new UP sudden swapping chord on the guitar:
ono Followed after another; then the voice ~
Leon Joined In and there was an air being
played and sung that stopped the speech Of the
Two women. rho wife of the painter stood like
a person transfxed Elvira looking into her
eyes, could all manner OF beautiful ,nemo
ries and kind thoughts that were passing In ana
out or her soul with every note; 1T was a piece
OF her youth that before her: green
French plain. the smell OF appe-fowc tho far
and shining ringlets OF river and tho word.
and presence of love.
Leon has hit the nail" thought T,lyira r. h.r
self. i wonder how"
Pardon me, madame" said the painters wife
your. husband sings admirably we'll"
He sings that with soma feeling" ren1,oa
EiVira critically, although she little moved
herself. for tho song cut both ways In the INNER
chamber; but 1t is actor and not as
musician"
Life is very sad" said the other; 1T so wastes
away under ones fingers"
nave not found it So" replied Elvira ~
think the good parts of it last and grow rroatar
every day"
FRANKLY how would you advise MOP"
FRANKLY would let my husband do what bo
wished. lie is obviously very loving painter:
you have not yet tried him as a clerk Ana yo,,
kno"-if 1t wero only as the possible father ne
your ,ehildren-it is as we'll to keep him at hi.
best" - 40
He is an excellent fellow" said the wife
Ihey Kept IL up till sunrise with music on1 an
manner of good fellowship; and at sunrise uyh,I
'he SKY was sun temperate and clear they sem
arated on the threshold with thousand excelent
wishes Tor each others welfare Castcl -(,ach,.
was beginning TO send up its smoke against tho