The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-09-19
The Decline
of Art
M
igIk. ~ the McSs1sss Ns~ps
per Eynticais-)
By 4 w PEACH


Al work and stared At II with sornore
and weary eyes. Into her mind came
the quiet. frsendln but signlhc"h,
words ~ the instructor. whom she had
given IN because be had spoken those
woryls~"You have the artists Instinct
and soul. but am much afraid you
viii never gain the skill TO give u OK
presslon." How the words come back
And there she stood, thinking as ne
thought failure IN the fieid Of effort
she had sworn she would master. The
dismal, battered studio In which she
stood. with Us cheapness and us bare
ness. added TO the despair In her heart.
Suddenly she heard steps above her,
then the sound Of humping, bump
Ing something bounding down the
stairs. Frightened. she threw open
The door and discovered the sprawiing
figure OF man slowly adjusting itself
10 the realization that II had fallen
down flight o. stairs.
She fully expected to hear the air
displaced by an explosion Of more or
less vigorous terms Instead she
looked down into the amused face OF
the fallen snd heard him mutter:
~And great was the fall thereof
believe that IL In the Bible some
where" He glanced up at her as ne
slowly rose. pardon me for disturb
Ing you. assure you ! am not In the
habit OF descending stairs In that fash'
Ion, or at that speed"
His face contracted with pain as ne
balanced himself, and she saw with
sudden apprehension that he could not
walk, and before she realized what she
was doing she took his arm and led
him into her studio and to chair
He sank into II with grateful word
In answer to her query whether or not
ne had broken anything he remarked
"NothIng so poetic as that. ] cracked
my shin, but 1t will be all right In q
while"
As his face Strengthened and he was
engaged In wooing the numbed shin
bone, she had time to inspect th'
flotsam that had been cast at her door
He was evidently tall, and beyond any
doubt thin his hair was curly ant
light, and his eyes were blue-an ode
blue, suggesting sunshine and shadow
1t was not difficult to guess that he
like all the rest in the dismal old build
ing. was that poor and deluded crea
ture, she thought--a struggling artist
He looked up, and the whimsical
friendly light In his eyes warmed hel
very spirit
81 must thank you for offering M
shelter and kindness. Perhaps ] ma.
be of service to you--I hope not II
like capacity he added, hastily.
She answered perfunctorily, and n
limped out and down the stairs.
She turned back TO the picture AM
picked up the crayon, but her finger
paused and she smiled. She had LOOKED
into pleasant. friendly and understand
Ing eyes; and In that great city, wher
she had seen such eyes but seldom
she felt that she had found friend.
She had. but trouble was to come
He stopped that evening, some time
luckily. after she had put away tn
remains Of her frugal meal ant
brought his offering-a small bunch o
dewy violets. Then. because she wa
hungry for companionship, she invite,
him into the studio. and II was no
long before they were deep In the dis
cussion Of the art they were seekin
to follow.
The old enthusiasm came wellln
back as she talked to him, and tn
dark days of the last weeks were fol
gotten. She told him Of her ambition
and he said that he understood. Sh
told him that she would die befor
she would give up her dream, and b
nodded In understanding. Then h
told her In turn of himself and his an
bltion. but he did not say 10 what eS
tent he would 90 In trying to make hi
dream come true. She felt. however
that they were of kindred spirit
Thereafter the friendship ripene
rapidly. and proof OF 1t came In man
WAYS. One day, after an all-day tri
among the Offices. where she had me
courtesy and kindly words that Away
seemed TO hold something in reserve
she returned 10 find little lunch a
ready.
She was In despair OF heart an
mind. and the touch Of his gentlenes
was too much. She old him OF he
frultless efforts. and then the tears o
WEAKNESS came, anu before she real
lied what was happening she 'oun
herself In his aims and his voice wa
speaking soothingly.
She drew away sharply. anger at hi
touch rising instinctively The startle
pain In his eyes caught the bite
words before they were all Spoken
and she went on:
"rorglve me. Edmund, you hav
been good friend. but am simply
simply"
4 know" he interrupted gently
you are worn out, tired and hungry.
He cnugh, her hand and she made
berce gesture Of dissent. yes, bu
you are. and know II. and +"
-And you are, tool" she broke II
almost laughing through her tears.
sy /. "a. yss ka saly hlob.lv AGO ta rnp