Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1920-09-18

~ Niida4hMINSS Stlt,i0, In the LIT
~ in quarter of Paris, shattered
q "I'hree Musi0stears Of the
Brush" Talbot Mgnne, or Taffg, q
big fair, htuaeeNed young Xorkshirs-
man, who had been n soldier, but was
al last following his wish TO be an art
list; then Sandy McAllister, or tine
Laird as his friends called altin, in
tended by ilis parents for a solicitor,
bat Who was in Paris painting Morea-
sIors and singing French ballads, with
q decided Scotch accent.
1.-THE third he was Little Billie" ar
William Bagot, a pleasing Young Hlng~
letshman from London. 10 hive and
work tn Paris had been BilIIe's dream,
and al last 1t was q reality, he and his
Two friends having talSen the sttstfo
together. He often looked al these
friends and wondered If anyone, 1is-
ing on dead, ever had two such glofd-
Gus chunls Ellis absolute belief i'm All
they said and did touched them ex-
fer his atfeetionate disposition and
lively ways; and recognizing his
Ouictoness. keenness and delicaey in all
matters of form and color they had
slso great admiration for him.
On showery April day the three
friends were in the Studio, each oeeu-
pied to his taste, Tally vigorously
swinging Il pair of Indian clubs, the
Laird sitting before his easel painting,
aud Billie kneeling ON the broad divan
before the great Studio window was
gazing out over the roofs of Paris
Specializing upon the future of himself
and his friends.
These speeulafions were rudely fn-
terraptea by loud knocking at the
aoor and tive men entered; first tan.
bong individual of any age between
thirty and forry-fire. Of Jewish aspect.
well-featured. but sinister. He had
bold. brilliant black eyes with long,
heavy lids. Ee went by the name Of
SvengaIf, spoke fluent French, but
with German accent. His companion
MAS q little. swarth9 young man. pos
sibly gypsy: under his arn be ear
r1ed 8 fiddle and bow.
SreDgaii al once suggested that they
have some music and. seating himself
al the plano. Ean his fingers up and
down the keys with the easy power OF
9 master. Then he fen to playing
Chopin's Inproinptu In A fat, SO
beautifully that Little Bi1lie's heart
was nigh TO bursting with emotion and
delight He never forgot that Tro-
promptu, which he was destined 10
hear again one Gay in very strange
circumstances.
Then the two. Svengaii and his COED
psnion Geek0. made music together so
tsiYtneiy. indeed. that even Taffy and
the Laird were almost as wild 10 their
enthusiasm as Billie. bur with an en-
shusiasin too deep for words.
Suddenly there came another inter-
euptson, loud kDuekle-rappina at the
outer door. and a voice OF great vol
afae. that might belong 10 any sex. or
even an angel. uttered the British
milkman's yodei. milk below" and
before anyone could say @entrez." a
strange figure appeared framed Ia the
gloom Of the antechamber; the figure
u a very tall and fully developed
young girl. clad in the gray oyereoat OF
. French infantry soldier: below this
there showed q short striped petticoat.
and beneath IL were visible her bare
white ankles. the toes losing them
selves in hinge pair Of meas list
slippers.
Wlnie not strictly beautiful. the girl
had greaf charm: she was really much
ike healthy young English boy.
Closing the door behind her she said.
wistfuliy: "Ye're all 4 nglish. now.
aren't YET I heard the music and
thought III just come In for Bit and
..ass the time 81 day: you don't mind7