Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-02-07

| lncn along nail, Jnen up staircase
and finally along corridor Judged
from the height and width of the stair
case, which was of stone or marble, and
the rich carpeting or the passage or cor
ridor, that was in grand mansion.
"Sit down. M. Godn. There is a
chair Immediately behind you. When
you hear me close the door of this room
you may uncover your eyes and begin
You are to paint precisely as il is the
what is lying on that bed You must
finish before five o'clock tomorrow
morning. When you are ready to 90
away you must rebandage your eyes,
then sound bell you will find on the
table. A person will come and conduct
you to your studio. In ten or twelve
days will send for the picture; it must
be packed so that no one can see it. and
you must pack il yourself. The person
who will come for it will pay 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 |
eagerly tore the bandage from my face.
The glare of brilliantly-lighted room
oppressed my eyes for few seconds, and
l could only distinguish that the apart
ment was large and magnilicently fur
nished. As my vision grew clearer /
saw that almost Immediately in front of
me was a very handsome coffin standing
on a platform or dais covered with black
velvet. l had been prepared for some
thing strange, but the sudden sight of
the coffin made me shudder. In Il mo-
ment or two, however, | gathered cour-
age enough TO walk toward it, 1t was
empty. The lid stood by the side, and
some of the silver screws had fallen on
the floor. Ipicked one up and looked
at it. The head was badly mauled. Evil
IDENTIFY the coffin had been opened by some
Impractical hand. Where was its for
mer occupant Instinctively l turned
toward the bed. On it was lying the
body of woman. 1 looked at the face
think it was the most beautiful | ever
saw. The expression was so calm and
happy it was difficult to believe she was
not merely sleeping. had only noticed
the face. AS my eyes passed from that
to the figure sight met them which
drew from me cry of horror and rage.
Her breast was barred, and through her
heart a jeweled-handled dagger was
buried to the hilt!
felt i'll and faint. went to the table
and took long draught of brandy. Then
| came back to the bedside. 1t was not,
as had tried to persuade myself, hor-
rid dream, a phantasy. There was the
dagger driven with unerring aim and
deadly force. noticed that so skillfully
had the blow been given that only two
clots of blood had escaped from the
wound. The bleeding must have been
wholly internal. Again glanced at the
sweet, peaceful face. There was nothing
in it to indicate the agony which had
been taught 10 look for in painful and
sudden death.
Where was 1? Upon what frightful
tragedy had lighted? Had this MUIR
dered woman been faithless wife, or
was she some innocent girl who had been
enticed here to meet ruin and deathP
What should doP What could L do?
My first impulse was to raise an 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
secure safety. l had no idea in what
quarter of Paris was, nor of how to
gain egress from the house. Beside, |
had heard the door locked behind me.
But why should any one desire to per-
petuate that terrible sight? This was
question L could not answer, though /
racked my brain for a response. Then
/ looked again at the body and the fright
full fascination of the subject began to
enthrall me. Its grim awfulness appealed
to something in my artistic nature and
urged me with irresistible force to begin
work. / had always had touch of
morbidness in my inspirations, yet had
never conceived such combination Of
the beautiful and the horrible. Yes,
whatever might feel it my duty to do
on the morrow, would work my best
that night
An absorbing desire to express not
only what | saw but what felt took pos
session of me. Never before had /
painted so quickly or SO well. | obtained
with few touches effects that had be-
fore vainly labored to produce 1t al
most seemed as if / were controlled by
some overwhelming force. The soul
and power of n great artist had temper
arily passed into me, and my poor hands
and eyes were but the means through
which another was working.
The hours flew rapidly by but la
bored unintermittingly The figure grew
upon the canvas and began to look life
like in its deathlike fidelity. AT last my
aching hands and arms compelled me TO
rest. looked everywhere for some
mark or sign by which l could discover
in whose house l was. Not the faintest
clue rewarded my search-nothing bear
ing name, initial or monogram was to
be found. Everything was of the most
costly and luxurious description. Money
had been lavishly spent in every direc-
ton. The coffin was almost q work of
art; its chased handles and bars were of
silver and gold, but the name-plate had
not been attached. / noticed every de-
tail with great minuteness, because de-
termined that the maker of so unusually
splendid coffin could easily be found,
and that through him was the clearest
and easiest way of bringing to justice
the perpetrators of this foul crime.
Then went back to my painting and
again the fever of inspired work seized
me. was scarcely sensible of the lapse
of time till the clock upon the mantel-
piece warned me that it was already five.
After considerable trouble | managed TO
pack my sketch in way that would
coverit without injuring the moist colors.
l collected my brushes and tubes, tied
the handkerchief over my eyes and rang
the bell Almost Immediately | heard
the door unlocked and the sad voice
whose tones had become so thoroughly
impressed on my memory asked:
GLOW have you succeededP'
"Well."
IL am very glad. | will now take
you to your studio. Come with me-"
He led me through the passage, down
the staircase and to the carriage. When
l had seated myself he took his place by
my side. The horses were urged to a
very rapid pace, SO fast, indeed, that
wondered the police did not interfere.
Mo nn,,,Nap;,,n .I;I not ,,tt,. Al, ,,,.,.J