The Lakeland evening telegram., 1916-11-15

thinking OF giving up art anu seeking
a position In commercial life. Miriam
was aghast at such proposition and
endeavored to prevent its adoption.
She told him that he would never per-
manently succeed in business; that as
soon as he had satisfied his immediate
wants he would begin to pine for his
profession, thus interfering with his
business career, but If he would stick
to his artistic work he would ultimate
ly succeed.
Whether 1t was encouragement or
the want Of proper food, Burnes fell
Ill. Between a male chum and Miriam
he was cared for. Miriam produced
the funds that were absolutely neces-
sary. and Wilbur was induced to ac-
cept them through Miriam's colleague.
He could not bring himself to accept
money from a girl, but would take It
as a loan from a man. In this way he
was kept from being turned out Of his
room. and what little food he could
take was provided.
But his illness lasted too long for
Miriam's slender purse. The day came
when she was obliged to 60 hungry
and ran behind in her rent. This she
kept from Wilbur. What she feared
was that she would not be able to pro-
vide his necessaries.
There was another matter that per-
picked Miriam. Even If she were able
to provide the needful she knew that
II Wilbur became aware of what she
was doing he would prevent her doing
any more for him on account Of pride
and an unwillingness that she should
deprive herself on his account. There
fore she had managed to persuade him
that the sums expended were from his
own funds. But this could not go on
indefinitely, and there was need for
far greater expenditures than before.
One day Wilbur's male chum, Cum
ningham, brought him a number of
articles that had been greatly needed,
besides certain delicacies. He told
Wilbur that an aunt of his had died
and left him a legacy. Wilbur, as
usual, protested against the obligation
he was incurring, but Cunningham de.
clared that he would soon be up and
could make it good If he saw fit, though
the lender might some day become the
debtor.
But the principal result of this lega-
cy from Cunningham's aunt was doc
tor, who was called in and under
whose care Burnes began to improve.
Miriam continued to nurse him, and,
though he was ignorant Of the pecu.
mary obligation he was under to her,
he was drawn still closer to her by
these attentions. A professional en-.
gagement prevented her being with
him till after II o'clock in the morn.
ing, but by noon she was preparing his
luncheon. Indeed. all his meals were
prepared by her
Within n few weeks after Cunning.
ham received his legacy Burnes was
on his feet again. Miriam had exact,
ed promise from him that when he
got well he would resume his artistic
occupation. and after being kept from
it for so long an interval he renewed
his efforts with keener interest. Be-
fore his illness he had submitted de.
Sign for statuary group to be placed
on the facade of public building.
The award had been given by political
influence, but while Burnes was on his
back a protest had been made by par
ties interested, and a committee of
artists was appointed to select the
best intrinsic design. Burnes' group
had been selected, and he was to be
paid handsome sum for 1t.
About this time painting of st.
Cecilia, something after the style of
Raphael, was exhibited, which attract
ed especial attention among lovers of
the higher grades of art Certain art.
ducer Of the picture. not recognizing
the model as that Of any Of those OBJ
tainable and noticing its remarkable
Madonna-like expression. endea vored
to learn who had posed for the picture
But the artist refused to satisfy them
Since only he and the model herself
knew of her identity the secret never
got out. One artist, who was sadly in
need of a model for Madonna, probed
the matter so far as to learn that the
painter of "St. Cecilia" had given a
check for 81 900 to a man named Gun,
ningham. The investigator asked Gun.
ningham what the thousand dollars be
got from the artist was for. and he re,
piled that an aunt had died and left
him legacy and that 1t had been paid
through the artist But the identity OF
the model for "St. Cecilia" was never
| discovered.
The selection of Wilbur Burnes
group as the design for the publ,
building made his fortune. Within ,
week after the fact was announced
that he was the successful candidat,
for the order all the choice bits tha
had been accumulating in his studi,
for years were removed by purchasers
There was one statuette that was no
sold. 1t was given to Miriam
The first thing that Wilbur Burnc
did after receiving pay for his success
ful competition was to reimburse Gun
ningham for his expenditures Will,