The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-11-02

Poser" querled the boy. "What
should doi"
4 only stand still while paint your
picture"
ASK him If I may?" He pointed to
the blind man.
4 After the artist had repeated his re-
quest to Rickett, the old man asked:
SIS he handsome boy, then?'
"He would be perfect for my young
st. John. Do you know from that how
he looksT
"Yes--I understand. The face is
sensitive"
The artist stared at this expression
from an ordinary mendicant, then he
saw that the man was not "Ordlnary."
| SO Jerry became an artists model.
With contributions of money and
clothes he was always now well
| dressed. He went less and less on the
street with Rlckett, for the posing was
more profitable for the old man, and
the woman came no more for her
money.
When the "St. John" was exhibited
In the academy, 1t at once created a
great demand for the model. and Jerry
| had all he could do. At seventeen the
handsome youth had lost no demand
for his services, but he still clung to
old Rlckett, and when the old man de-
parted from the little shanty and this
world, cared for him to the last and
mourned him as u father.
One day Jerry was sent for by new
patron, LEIGH Tarbell, already famous
though still under thirty. Jerry posed
for weeks for Tarbell, who monopo-
lized his services to such an extent
that the older patrons who felt they
had prior right began to blame Tar
bell, and express their mind rather
freely to the model. But always Jerry
had some excuse. He could not leave
Tarbell with IL picture just begun, or
something of the sort.
Then one day came the first unpleas-
ant experience In Tarbells studio. The
artist had concluded to do picture Of
the young Endymlon, and told Jerry to
go in the robing ROOM and put on the
costume lie had laid out for him. In
a few minutes Jerry returned in his
street clothes, white Of face but deter
mined.
81 cannot wear those skins" he
said
"Why not?' demanded Tarbell.
"They are the right thing. You will be
stunning"
For the past four years the boy had
never been called upon to wear any
costume that did not cover him from
neck to knees. He refused firmly to
wear the skins.
WELL said Tarbell, "then must
give up the Endymion' or get another
model
'You will have to get another
model said the boy In low, tense
tones. And he took up his hat to go.
Look here, Jerryl Don't desert me
this way I've some more work on
that Recruit. You'll stay and help
me out on that won't your"
"Of course" said Jerry. And he
went In TO don his khaki uniform.
However Tarbell may haye wondered
at Jerry's behavior he said, nothing. 1t
was weeks before the other picture
was finished. one day he asked Jerry
to go with him TO his camp IN the
A al Ia aFu f,,t be-
tlon. His fondness for the boy seemed
something deeper than M artists for
his model. Jerry refused, pleading his
pressure Of engagements.
NO" said Tarbell, at isn't that, and
you know 1t. Don't you care enough |
for me to tell me the truth2'
"Then you know"
Jerry, white and swayng, collapsed
weakly into chair.
1--WE known for long time" said
Tarbell gently.
"And knowing, You asked me to 60
with you to that campN' she snld
"Yes, that is why ! asked you,' he
said.
"rhe old woman, when she sent me
to live with Rlckott, made me wear
boys clothes, because she said he
wanted boy, and would never know
| was II girl. 1t was safer for me too
living as | would SO | kept my secret,
and when / begun to pose found 1t |
profitable to 90 on being hoy. But |
now cannot keep It up any longer. l
must go away, and try to do some
thing else" aud she rose, starting to-
ward the door
mo, nor he cried, stopping her
Don't go! ! want you, dcar I"
She pushed herself quickly from his
arms.
"Don'tl" she cried out. you despise
mel You think | am--" Il II
"Hush Don't say I'll | think you
are all that Is lovely, beautiful, wom-
anlyl"
yet you asked me TO go to that
campr
II would only have taken you on one
he said,
"What conditlonT
"As my Wife"
She looked at hlr: for an Instant, |
then. she said very softly: 'liad you
found out something clse--that the
model loved the tist-beyond all rea-
sonT
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