The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-29
EVENING STORY
The Decline of Art.
BY A. w. PEACH.

was at work and stared at it with
sombre and weary eyes. Into her
mind came the quiet, friendly but
significant words of the instructor,
whom she had given up because he
had spoken those words-'You have
| the artists instinct and soul, but 1
am much afraid you will never gain
the skill to give it expression" How
! the words came backi And there she
stood, thinking as he thought fail
ure in the field of effort she lad
sworn she. would master. The dis
NAL, battered studio in which she
stood, with its cheapness and its bare
ness, added to the despair in her heart.
Suddenly she heard steps above her.
| then the sound of a humping, bump
ing something bounding down the
! stairs. Frightened, she threw open
the door. and discovered the sprawling
/ figure of a man slowly adjusting itself
| to the realization that 1T had fallen
down a flight of stairs.
She fully expected to hear the air
displaced by an explosion of more or
less vigorous terms Instead she look
ed down into the amused face of the
fallen and heard him mutter:
! And great was the fall thereof
believe that is in the Bible some
where" He glanced up at her as he
slowly arose. Pardon me for dis
turbing you. I assure You I am not in
the habit of descending stairs in that
fashion, or at that speed"
/ His face contracted with pain as he
balanced himself, and she saw with
walk, and before she realized what she
was doing she took his arm and LED
him into her studio and to a chair.
He sank into it with grateful word
| In answer to her query whether or
not he had broken anything, he re-
marked: Nothing poetic as that.
I cracked my shin. but 1t will be all
right in little while"
AS his face Strengthened and he was
engaged in wooing the numbed shin
bone, she had time to inspect the
fiotsam that had been cast at her door.
He was evidently tall, and beyond any
doubt thin; his hair was curly and
light, and his eyes were blue-an odd
blue, suggesting sunshine and shadow.
1t was not difficult to guess that ne,
like all the rest in the dismal ola
building, was that poor and deluded
creature, she thought struggling
artist.
He looked up, and the whimsical.
friendly light in his eyes warmed her
very spirit.
L must thank you for offering me
shelter and kindness. Perhaps I may
be of service TO you'll hope not in
: hike capacity" he added hastily.
She answered perfunctorily. and he
Nmped out and down the stairs.
She turned back to the picture and
picked up the crayon, but her fingers
paused and she smiled. She had
looked into pleasant. friendly and un-
Outstanding eyes, and in that great
city, where 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 the
remains of her frugal meal. and
= brought his offernig-a small bunch
! of dewy violets. Then, because she
r was hungry for companionship, she
: invited him into the studio, and ii
was not long before they were deep
5 in the discussion of the art they were
? seeking TO follow.
The old enthusiasm came yelling
back as she talked to him. and the
| dark days of the last weeks were for
gotten. She told him of her ambition
and he said that he understood. She
told him that she would die before she
| would give up her dream, and he
| nodded in understanding. Then he
| told her in turn of himself and his
ambition, but he did not say to what
, extent he would go in trying to make
his drea n come true She felt. how.
ever. that they were of kindred spirit
Thereafter the friendship ripeneo
rapidly, and proof of it came in many
ways. One day, after an aIl-day trip
among the offices, where she had met
courtesy and kindly words that always
seemed to hold something in reserve
she returned to find a little lunch al
ready.
She was in despair of heart ant
mind, and the touch Of his gentlenes.
was too much. She told him of he,
frultless efforts, and then the tears OF
WEAKNESS came, and before she real
lied what was happening she found
herself in his arms and his voice was
speaking soothingly.
She drew away sharply. anger at his
touch rising instinctively. The startled
pain in his eyes caught the bitter
words before they were all spoken
e and she went on:
! Forgive me. Edmund, You have
p been a good friend. but ! simply
t simply"
II know" he interrupted gently,
you are worn out, tired and hun.
? gry. He caught her hand as sh,
= made fierce gesture of dissent Yes
out you are. and l know 1t, and l.
And you are, tool" she broke in
! almost laughing thru her tears. "
: ! ami he said bluntly. so darnet
hungry I could murder a sandwic:
s man for suggesting one!"
r he stared gloomily at the low-burn.
I his eyes -e'- '1of' II
| Frances. what do you say? I've
known You for week-it seems as i
we ndu Deen friends for years! 1 know
place where can get a chance in
tne garage business. Let's throw th..
, art stuff up, and get up or down +,
[ something to eat and a decent nj, ~
e to live. What do you say?"
She looked into his flushed ..o.,
e face and earnest eyes Am 10 ~
r derstand that you are pronos;ne =,
$ me?" she smiled, y
I He rallied his faculties "-rho+.s 4.
4 Frances. 1 know" -
a Her voice was cold. "Tbank ,,o,,
, but I'm not interested in the pars ..
business or in marriage. and when I'm
|. way" " ioFei
n He rose sharply. his face set. a.
8 oke seriously. in my way If
:. Cohtrition came. She caught hi