Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-07-14

you the second thousand francs. You
will find refreshments on the table, Now
| leave you. Do not forget the conditions
you have promised to keep" !
l heard him close the door. Then l
eagerly tore the bandage from my face
The glare of a brilliantly lighted room
oppressed my eyes for few seconds, and
could only distinguish that the apart
mcnt was large and magnifcently fur
nished. As my vision grew clearer 1 saw
that almost Immediately in front of me
was very handsome coffin standing on n
platform or dais covered with black vel
vet. had been prepared for something
strange, bnt the sudden sight of the COT
fin made me shudder. In n moment or
two, however, l gathered courage enough
to walk toward it. 1t was empty. The
lid stood by the side, and some OF the sill.
yer screws had fallen on the floor. l
picked one up and looked at it. The
head was badly mauled. Evidently the
coffin had been opened by some unprac-
ticed hand Where was its former occu-
pant? Instinctively turned toward the
bed. On it was lying the body OF wo-
man. l looked at the face. l think it
was the most beautiful l ever saw. The
expression was so calm and happy it was
difficult to believe she was not merely
sleeping. l had only noticed the face.
As my eyes passed from that to the figure
sight met them which drew from me a
cry of horror and rage.
Her breast was barred, and through her
heart jeweled- HANDLED dagger was bu-
ried to the hilt
felt i'll and faint. Invent to the table
and took long draught of brandy. Then
l came back to the bedside. 1t was not,
us had tried to persuade myself, hor.
rid dream, n phantasy. There was the
dagger, driven with unerring aim and
deadly force. ] noticed that SO skilfu!ly
had the blow been given that only two
clots of blood had escaped from the
wound. The bleeding must have been
wholly internal Again 1 glanced at the
sweet, peaceful face. There was nothing
in it to indicate the agony which ! had
been taught to look for III painful and
sudden death.
Where was I? Upon what frightful
tragedy had lighted? Had this muir.
dered woman been faithless wife, OF
was she some innocent girl who had been
enticed here to meet ruin and death
What should do e? What could do?
My first impulse was to raise m alarm,
but moments reflection convinced me
Of the uselessness and danger OF such
proceeding. 1t was evident that the per
son or persons who had committed this
crime would not hesitate at another to Sc
cure safety. had no idea in what quar-
ter of Paris | was, nor OF how to gan
egress from the house. Beside, | ha,
heard the door locked behindme.
But why should any one desire to per
petuate that terrible sight? This was ,
question l could not answer, though
hacked my brain for a response. Then
looked again at the body, and the fright
full fascination of the subject began to en-
thrall me. Its grim awfulness appealed
| to something in my artistic nature ant
urged me with irresistible force to begii
work. | had always had touch of NOR
bidness in my inspirations, yet | ha'
never conceived such combination o
the beautiful and the horrible. Yes
whatever l might feel it my duty to do OIL
the morrow, l would work my best tina
night
An absorbing desire to express not onl.
what saw but what felt took posses
sion of me. Never before had ! painted
so quickly or SO we'll l obtained with
few touches effects that l had before vain
ly labored to produce. 1t almost SCENE,
us if were controlled by some over
whelming force. The soul and power O
great artist had temporarily passe
iuto me, and my poor hands and eye
were but the means through which an
other was working.
The hours flew RAPIDLY by. but labor
ed unintermittingly. The figure gre,
upon the canvas and began to look life
like in it's deathlike fidelity. At last m
aching hands and arms compelled me t
rest. I looked everywhere for some mar
or sign by which | could discover il
whose house was. Not the faintest clu
rewarded NV search-nothing bearing
a name initial ar monooram was to N
found. Everything was of the most cost
lv and luxurious description. Money Ia,
been layishly spent in every direction
The coffin was almost work of art it
chased handles md bars were of ,ilye
ond on,J Lnt the noma-nlote had ne
been attached noticed every detoi
viii oreat m;nutensss hecansc date,
m;ne5 that the maker If so mnusuall
snlendiJ n coffin could easily be tount
anil tLat thromah him was tbc cleore,
AMI easiest xyov If nr;pg;ng IN inst;ce m
nernetrators ~ This fonl crime
f r,',,, ... ~ .aa,, ..o;..;.o -,
men l went pack 10 my painting, an
heaiu Ihe FEVER Oh lhspiteu ~0rk selAe
NE. i w .m scarcely Sensible oi 'he iapf
oi ulhe tlli 1he eiock upon .ne maate
piece warmed me that IL was alreauy Nv.
AIter cohslueraDie trouble i managed
pack my sketch III way that wouiu cove
II M wi.lo'. in!uring Tue mos. coiors'
coilecteu my brushes anu tubes, ueu ~
ha nun over my eyes anu rang ~
pen. Aiiiiost immeuia'ely i nearI "
uoor uiiiocheu' anu tne sau voice "ho'
.olies nuu peeolne 30 'lioro"eniy impress
ell on my memory askeu: ,,
nov v, nave you succeeueu'
..4 .,., ,;u. ..,.. 49,