Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-07-07

The dust which lay upon Lucia's
palette was, to be sure. not the dust OF
Genesis from which man was created.
but it had lrinan ssiGniticance--the
thicker the ,lust the greater became the
distance between the "a life OF the
studio and the new. btweea the old
Lucia and the new---and between Lu-
cia and Sage himself. And what was
worst Of all. Lucia was becoming in
different to the claims Of her work and
her talent
She insisted that she did not expect
her husband TO feel as she did, that the
joys of fatherhood were not so intense
as those of motherhood.
Then Sage would 20 out aud walk by
himself In rebelious loneliness. trying
to get the right proportions for Lucia
In spite of herself
Today he had reached his solution
after his interview with Lacroix. II
would need to be put very carefully to
her. he knew that. but when he saw
the delight in her face ut the thought
Of working with her old teacher he for
got caution.
Il have made all the arrangements
for the baby he said The new note
OF determination In his voice caught
her attention. II have been to the day
nursery at the settlement" he went on.
''and the woman In charge took me
through the rooms and explained ev-
erything. Ii is scientifc--and sunny.
Just the place for him. / wish | had
known Of ii before
'My baby in public nurseryi
Never
She caught sight Of Little Sage try
Ing to climb an easel and ran to him
before be couid discover whether or
not Il was an impossible feat.
Sage was resoiute IN the face of her
sudden anger. His recent visit TO the
large. hofaeliAe place full OF contented
babies. gave him courage.
In the first place. he said. IA day
nursery is sensible and scientific So
luton Of our problem. The French
have learned that art or work OF any
kind IS In danger from children
As&tia = tls0t@f8hAl'Si kLNiE*A1tAs
And In the second place" he went
on. 'the French have too much respect
for children to leave them altogether TO
the care Of inexperienced mothers"
Lucia deposited Little Sage ON the
fur rug and went 10 her husband with
a look Of nrimeval rage IA her face.
DO you think I am an inexperi-
enced motherf" she asked.
"He's your first baby"
Lucia ignored the reply.
Haven't I devoted all my attention
to him. done everything that ought to
be done for him?" she demanded
Forget the baby then" he said.
"Never.r' she interrupted fercely.
You are heartless. You ought never
TO have married me-you are not the
sort of mSn who should have children,
II had known her lips trembled.
u mean" he said quietly, forget
the child's side OF the question for a
moment-and think OF yourself"
Il have no right TO do that ! am
responsible for him A mother has no
right to thins OF herself"
Her husband began putting his paints
and brushes into the box he carried on
his sketching expeditions.
Lucia watched him in silence; then
she went over to him and leaned her
head against the back OF his shoulder.
you are = man. and. Of course, you
cannot understand what difference II
makes In a woman TO have a little
helpless child to care for"
At that HIS anger famed
Thank God am not a woman and
not able to trick myself the way you
do; to pretend to myself that I can no
longer be an individual worthy OF my
own self respect. with work In the
world. because have a child: TO pre-
tend that my children only thrive and
prosper under my own hands"
Lucia was still and rigid.
You are jealous," she said.
He pushed back an easel noisily.
Yes; l am jealous" he replied. II
am jealous on your account. Before l
loved you felt you had great talent.
and believed you were going to show
1t to the world. l believed as much In
you as-as believed in myself And
when | saw how hard you could work.
what endurance and persistence you
had, knew you would succeed. But
ought not to have married you. ! see
now that you cannot he mother and
an artist. You could be IL you wanted
| to-"
She came and stood between him and
| the easel.
You love Little Sage. | know you
| do" she said soothingly.
| He put his hands on her shoulders
and looked intently into her eyes.
You know that l do" He spoke
slowly. Lucia triei TO draw away
from him. but his hands on her shout
ders frightened. But do you know that
you are forgetting me: that you think
first and only OF him? And Is that
righti Do you net owe me something
as my companion"
| Her eyes tried TO deny what he said.