The Washington times., 1921-02-13

at the studio door, duly chaperoned by her supposed
mistress Mr. Atken expressed his gratitude for the
prompness of the response to his request and losing
time asked his model to take position theposng
stand From that the important commissions he
was executing for wealthy Calfornians forgotten
He put aside everything but the bust he doing in
marble of the "house maid" of his former hostess.
'There is something within her-somcth thing in her soul
that shines in her eyes and seeks expression in every
tour of her face in the pose of her head on her
shoulders the sculptor confded to his friends some
thing want to catch And if succeed it will be the
best thing have ever done =
Two weeks went by. Mr. Aitken gave up all his social
engagements and from the mistress her consent
that the "maid" might come each morning and pose
throughout the day, with whatever rest periods she
wanted And the "maid, much to the romantic sest Of
her ntmates, agreed to this and just eager for
each days posing and its consequent nearness to the
sculptor the artist
One afternoon Mr. Atken suddenly dropped his chisl
and brought deep flush to the cheeks Of his model BY
saying almost ofhand, 'Do you know Miss de Ligny
think shall have to ask yon to marry me- shall soon
finish this bust and shall be quite forlorn at not having
you close to Would be taking advantage of your
marvellous beauty of self and soul should ask you to
give them to me exclusiveyf"
the noble families of France, and who in San Fran.
cisco in advance of visit by her parents, who COM
ing there for her. assured him he would be taking no adj
vantage, and that she was quite willing to agreeh he
really wanted her. serving maid - to be his wife.
Mr. Aitken for a romantic elopement at once Miss
de Lgny then confessed the hoax that had been played
him. and made plain that her parents must be asked
When the parents arrived they rowned upon the engage
ment and promptly packed their daughter off to her ma
tive France They proud, they said to have the
famous sculptor son-n-law but their daughter was
French and there family reasons for match among
her people.
The sculptor followed the family to France-vowed
that he would become Frenchman Ii necessary.
He finally the consent he sought The bust OF Laurie
de Ligny-now Mrs Robert Aitken--stands In The Lux
embourg Paris of the masterpieces in that great
institution
Mrs Aitken often declared her married life happy
beyond words How differently though, does Mrs. Bev-
erly Towes, whose husband Is of the best known
painters speak of married life With temperamental
artist Mr. Towes makes many paintings year, and
maintains large studio. He socially popular and his
studio Is the scene of many quiet entertainments.
Here is what Mrs Towles said recently in explaining
her disappointments as the wife Of painter:
"The woman who marries artist is teamng right
up with woe. found 1t out soon after got married
am a patient woman. But have been married fifteen
band my led model life. But there too many
models Most Of the time my husband lived If he were
not married at all-that is, to me-
"My advice to womeni
"Marry plumber a steam6tter. Become the wife
Of DOCTOR lawyer or a school teacher.
."But don I walk down the aisle with an artist"
Mrs Towles asked the courts for separation from
her brilliant husband She stated In her affidavs
that because he always seeking feminine beauty 30
an inspiration he became accustomed to other women
he ceased TO value her. She exhibited TO the court
sketches made by him Of her maid In scanty attire.
Her husband declared she sad that the maid beaut
full in proportions and not to be neglected model just
because she servant in his own house. There
many artists wives who have been disappointed like Mrs.
Towes but Just who happy Mrs Aitken.