e
passed under the gas lamps they shone like Oriental stars. He no longer
shivered at the cold and, warm with faith and confidence, his heart
could have melted a storm. He fairly floated up Madison Avenue, and by
his side the spirits of his ideals kept him company. Oh, he would do
beautiful things for New York city. He would become great here. He would
garland the metropolis with laurel, leave statues on its places, that
should bear his name. At ten o'clock on the following day, he was to
begin his apprenticeship, and he would soon show his power to
Cedersholm. He felt that power now in him like wine, like nectar, and in
his veins the spirit of creation, the impulse to art, rose like a
draught. His aunt should be proud of him, his uncle should cease to
despise him, and the children--they would not understand--but they would
be glad.

When he reached his boarding-house, Miss Eulalie opened the door and
cried out at the sight of his face--

"Oh, Mr. Antony; you've had good news, sir."

He put both hands on the thin shoulders, he kissed her roundly on both
cheeks. The cold fresh air was on his cool fresh lips, and the kiss was
as chaste as an Alpine breeze.

He cried: "_Good_ news; well, I reckon I have! The great Mr. Cedersholm
has given me a place in his studio."

He laughed aloud as she hung up his coat. Miss Eulalie's glasses were
pushed up on her forehead--she might have been his grandmother.

"The Lord be praised!" she breathed. "I have been praying for you night
and day."

"I shall go to Cedersholm to-morrow. I have not spoken about terms, but
that will be all right, and if you ladies will be so good as to wait
until Saturday----"

Of course they would wait. If it had not been that their means were so
cruelly limited, they would never have spoken. Didn't he think?... He
knew! he thought they were the best, dearest friends a young fortune
hunter could have. Wait, wait till they could see his name in the
papers--Antony Fairfax, the rising sculptor! Wait until they could go
with him to the unveiling of his work in Central Park!

Supper was already on the table, and Antony talked to them both until
they _could_ hardly wait for the wonders!

"When you're great you'll not forget us, Mr. Antony?"

"Forget them----!"

Over the cold mutton and the potato salad, Fairfax held out a hand to
each, and the little old ladies each laid a fluttering hand in his. But
it was at Miss Eulalie he looked, and the remembran