The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-01-04
CHAPTER ".

s1Gung down, wrote her lover a full &C
count of it. But the course of true Low,
was by no means smooth as yet.
CHAPTER ~.
To Klopstag suddenly came a popula
painter, whose art wa said to be tn,
result of q series of tricks and Illusion
more becoming a protested conjurer an
magician than a professed artist. In hi
picture of Bridal Veil Falls a rainbow
was introduced athwart the delicate
gauze of mist and spray that envelopet
the dark brown rocks over which tn,
water did not SO much tumble as sparkle
It was charged but never proved that tn,
iridescence in his picture which seemed
to hover in front of the cascade on tn
canvas was produced by a skillfully hid
den arrangementof prisms; and that thu
effect of smoke and steam in his ssBoil
ing Springs was the effect of a magic
lantern behind a screen. But his man,
admirers pooh-poohed these stories anc
they never gained great credence, while
Monsieur Poissonier went placidly or
painting his wonderful pictures.
He opened a studio in Klopstag, anG
scores of people flocked to see his works.
He was not old, but looked so. Hi:
shoulders were crooked. his feet de
formed. His nose was so sharp anC
curved that he looked like a bill hook,
ready to crop his bushes of mustache.
On each side sharp falcon eyes peered
out like mice in their holes.
One day he invited Katrina's father to
do him the honor of calling. He did so.
The crooked little artist sat painting q
landscape. The golden light of the Set
ting sun gilded houses and trees and
mountain-tops; its rays fell softly upon
a group of golden-haired children at
play, touching their heads most ra-
dainty. But the great painter did not
think much OF it. Looking around the
room he saw a more beautiful real land
scape out doors through the window.
"Bahr' he said contemptuously to Mons.
Poissonier, stwhat are you smudging
away at that for, when Nature does so
much for you over THEREOF pointing to
the beautiful scene from the window.
"Copy that as it is and you'll be the
greatest living painter"
The crooked painters black eyes
snapped, perhaps with anger, perhaps
with triumph.
Will Monsieur Famensbeck be so
kind as to go nearer to the window and
then tell me if he thinks it better, or not
as good?"
Flamensbeck did so. To his astonish-
ment the landscape did not widen and
the perspective change according to ma
ture. He went nearer and nearer. He
could almost touch the window-pane. 1t
was anvas. There was no window;
there was no outdoors. 1t was a picture.
Flamensbeck was silent a moment.
"The devils in it I believe. With all
my art could not do that" he said.
Then l ask your daughter in mar
riage," cried Mons, Poissonier.
Flamensbeck again was silent. He
v e s%huddered. What, wed his peerless
child to this grimace and within of nature
this spoiled and distorted piece of hui
man pottery. The artist noticed his
hesitation.
"Does the great master refuse to keep
his pledges?" said the ugly man, sarcas.
tically.
NO" he said slowly, but with evil
dent disgust.
GIVE worked long and hard for the
prize, and I leave it to your honor if 1
should lose it.''
The father went home and told his
daughter. She was in tears and con-
sternation. She begged and pleaded.
But her fathers pride in his word and
faith was stronger than his love for his
daughter, and he would not listen to her.
In despair she wrote to Max to come to
her. She had no idea what he could do
to save her, but if worse came to worst
she would fly from her father to his pro-
lection. He came speedily; met her and
listened to her story, broken by sobs and
caresses.
"It is a trick. I have heard all about
him. I will uncloak the rascal" he ex-
claimed, kissing her.
Max, spurred by fear of losing his
Katrina, gave day and night to investi-
CATION. He went to Poissonier's study
and very carefully examined the picture
in the absence of the artist.
"Ah! ahr' he said. otis there you
are, you old rogue" although he wasn't
there at all.
He made further inquiries and investi-
cations, noted closely the habits of the
ugly artist, and at dead of night effected
an entrance into the building adjoining
the studio.
81 should like to see the picture for
which I am to be solo," said Katrina to
her father. "Perhaps it will give me a
new idea of how much l am worth"
Her father, took her to the studio.
Mons. Poissonier met them at the door,
and kissed the hand of his be-
trothed. When he withdrew it she wiped
it on her handkerchief with an express
sion of disgust.
1--WE came to see the picture" said
Harls kIomnnShonI 10NRin for1o, l -
1t was gone.
"Ah" said Poissonier, embarrassed,
81 did not like the frame. I have sent
it out to be framed anew"
81 havei it with me.'' said Katrina, tax
something from her muf.
Both men stared at her; one with
and the other with impatient curl
osity.
She showed them a glass slide on
which there was a stereoscopic picture of
the landscape and the window, and
tinted with great skill.
Flamensbeck looked with a black frown
at Poissonier.
explain. Monsieur" he said.
"Ah, yes!' said Poissonier. ga copy
Of my famous picture. A friend of mine
asked permission to copy it."
he smiled, showing mice-like teeth.
Katrina turned, went to the wall op-
and pulled aside the maroon
curtains Topped up there. They covered
a small door like a pantry slide. On the
other side of it was a stereopticon, a
complicated form of the magic lantern.
Let us CO." said Herr Flamensbeck.
This fellow is played out"
CHAPTER v.
But though Max's rivals were thus
disposed of, his task was yet unfinished.
It was n thing to put them out of the
way. quite another to do what they had
allied to do. But he bided his time, babe
be of good cheer and wait a
favorable opportunity.
Herr Flamensbeck was painting the
portrait of the dashing and gay Countess
Of Rudelsheimer. She was famous for
her beauty, for her caprice, her volatile