Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-10-20
Select Story.
VAUTREAU THE VAMPIRE.

vAUTREAu THE VAMPIRE.
Inc money-lenuer took up the volume
French translation-and read aloud, in
monotonous voice, "This wonderful crea-
ture appeared to Inc in white robes between
two gentle ladies who were older than she,
and passing by in the street she turned her
eyes upon me, and in her ineffable courtesy
saluted me so graciously, that | seemed
then to see the heights Of all blessedness!
see. Yes. HumphW
The artist gave afurtive anxious glance
at his face, but MS features might have
been carved in wood for any clue they
gave to his thoughts.
DIT is nearly finished, I see" he remark
ed at length, "when you have painted in
the face of your Beatrce-"
al have painted it half dozen times
already, but can't satisfy rayselt," the
young man returned, with quick, impa-
tient sigh. al know the face l want: I
see 1t before me always-alwaysl but
there is something in it that eludes me;
something pensive, spiritual; grace too
subtle to be fixed on canvas"
He looked musingly at the picture, SEEM
ing to forget his companion, who was
watching him steadily, taking a long
drawn pinch of snuff meanwhile.
The lines about his mouth looked omin-
ously grim. At length he shut his snuff
box with sudden snap, and took OFT his
spectacles.
"Monsieur Leclerc," he said abruptly,
"allow me to remind you that this is the
sixth of April" ,s
"Already /" the artist exclaimed, COM
ing out of his reverie with start. 'b .
"Has time flown so quickly with you?
Truly, am glad to hear it. Yes, the day
has come round, and"
"And we 60 through the old form again,
I suppose?" the other added listlessly, pro-
ducing pens and ink.
"Well, no; l think I will not trouble
you. do not feel disposed to renew the
bill again. lin short, want my money"
The artist looked at him aghast.
F"Great heavens! Monsieur Vautreau, you
can not be in earnest!"
II never joke-in business" was the
dry reply. .,.
"But you know that l could as we'll pay
the national debt as pay what I owe you at
such short notice. Besides, you are break
ing faith with me. The understanding
was that you would take pictures instead
of money, and"
The usurer interposed with uplifted fin
ger. "Pardon. The understanding was
that so long as you painted for me, and for
me alone, would forgive you the interest,
and not press you for the principal" He
darted his finger at the picture "You
meant to steal march upon me, hey 4?
Pshaw, don't talk of breaking faith after
that"
"I wanted to have ii exhibited; I had q
particular reason But have worked
for you like galley-slavc for the last three
years, and you know we'll that my pictures
have more than paid the debt Come now,
be frank; if were to die tomorrow,
couldn't you sell them for triple what
you-"
"If you were to die to-morrow-p perhaps
but you are not going to do me that good
antly. Frankly" he added, as he took
lures. They have fallen off, of late, and I
yuu naVe niistahcn your voCalun.
Leon bit his lip.
"And yet it is not long since you-"
"Prophesied great things of you; re-
member. But l did not know then how
weak you were, how impatient, how easily
discouraged. And 1 did not know" he
added with q sour smile, "that you had
other preoccupations. Art is an exacting
mistress, Monsieur Leclerc; she brooks no
divided allegiance. She has no smiles for
a suitor who sits idly dreaming of other
loves while daylight fades, and his colors
dry"
The artist flushed, and frowned
"l can not alter my circumstances or my
character" he answered shortly.
"Then should advise you to change
your profession" was the usurers reply, as
he moved toward the door.
Leon threw down his palette and brushes
with an angry laugh.
"Indeed! and what occupation should
you suggest, Monsieur Vautreau? Shall l
turn oil and color man, or add painting
and glazing to my present profession?"
"You might do worse. In any case you
will be kind enough not to forget that little
matter of business. In a weeks time
shall expect to hear from you; if do not
You will hear from me. Good-day."
fStay, listen!" the artist pleaded, very
pale and grave now, following him to the
door; "be reasonable. 1t is your own in
terest not to press me too hard; L"
"Good-day," repeated the other.
"Give me time, at any rate; let me have
chance Of"
"Good-day," reiterated the money.lendcr
Tor the third time, as he passed out
he paused on the threshold to launch
one Parthian shaft.
You might as we'll have let me have
your picture, you see. 1t will probably be
in my possession this time next week."
The young man uttered passionate in.
articulate exclamation, and snatching up q
brush loaded with color dashed it across
the canvas.