The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-04
THE PAINTERS INFERNO
A STORY In TWO PARTS.
By HENRY r. KEENAN,, Author of "Trajan."

He dreamed of murder he saw glittering blades
"a the air as he ate, walked or thought. In the
walks on the Battery, where he went to catch
another glimpse of the maiden, and went in
vain, he saw blood on the crested moon; he saw
blood on the under green Of the leaves. He
started instinctively whenever an arm was
raised, expecting dagger thrust. One day,
when he had painted scores of those awful
reminders of human passion, Damort sent FOR
him. The negro mute was the messenger and
guide He led the young man to a carriage, and
on entering the blinds were lowered carefully a
fact which Asiric did not remark until the vehI-
Gle had been some time under way. Then, as
the wheels rolled rough road, and the
lights which had hitherto cleaned through the
thick curtains at intervals ceased, Asiric raised
his hand to draw back the curtain, but the mute
made warning gesture of denial The journey
had lasted an hour or more, when the cab came
to a halt Asiric was conducted through leafy
path to the porch of villa-like structure that,
in the dim moonlight, looked old and stately.
He was led through wide corridors to large
room-a gallery, in fact-upon the walls of
which he recognized. with shudder, the results
Of his young labor. The room had high ceilings.
the outside of the villa would have indicated.
Exquisite Candida bra adorned the walls. These
were all lighted with aromatic tapers The
figure Of sphinx stood out in solemn guardian
ship over the four doors entering the great
room. The pictures were hung all over the
walls, but Asiric observed with shudder, that
one side of the room was perfectly blank and
hung in glistening black satn He had no time
at the moment to get moro than glimpse Of the
fantastic details of the room, for his patron.
seclining broad dlvan, heaped with cush-
ions, beckoned him to his SIDE When the mute
had disappeared he said in feeble whisper:
81 have been imprudent with the body and
the soul is furnishing me. can no longer think.
My imagination is dead for the moment, but
my purpose is still strong You must work here
for the present, and you must show that you
can do original work. You must invent subjects
to complete the blank wall there!'
He pointed to the WALL and Asiric, with
quiet gesture of dissent. was about to refuse,
when from the neghboring room the soft notes
of harp fell on his ear. 1t was an unknown
air. plaintive sweet and Lranquizing that
the CHASTITY creations of his brush faded, and he
saw green fields and heard the delicious sym
phonies of his childhood. When barefoot boy
he had lived with the birds afeld and haunted
the recesses of the forest where legend peopled
the rocks with frogs. The notes rose and fell in
soft, harmonious simplicity, until the lights
seemed to move in unison. When the sounds
died he started.
The invalid who had taken the amber mouth
piece of Turkish pipe in his mouth, offered one
of the coils to his guest, saving:
This isn't as stimulating as your coffee but
its effect on the nerves is good"
He whitfield away silently. and the strains from
the harp. accompanied by the viece, again filled
the chamber with an unspeakabe melody.
Acfrio he nipfn f ocGs uho fhoc ;v
or was but there was something in his patrons
eye that forbade.
lyon shall sleep here tonight ard in the
morning | will send for your materials. He
blew silver whistle lying the table at his
side and the mute appeared. He seemed to have
received his Instructions in advance for with
nod of dismissal Asric WAS led through wide
hallway TO great staircase and into a sumptu-
GUS chamber, where he found himself provided
with night robes and in daze of wonder not
unmingled with terror sank under the great
canopy of the bed. but not to sleep.
The next morning coffee and rolls were
brought to his bedside, and as he was looking out
of the window at the garden, which was shut in
by trees. his patron suddenly appeared at his
side
II knocked Asirc Sterne but you were so en-
crossed with the view that you did not hear me.
Come to the Chamber OF Justice"
mot culprit, hope" Asiric responded in
quivering attempt at gayety. "No-as agent
of the great decree" Asiric shuddered the
words were spoken carelessly but there was an
expression OH the inscrutable face that checked
further levity.
II don't quite like the juxtaposition of that
Beckett with buckingham" the host said on
reaching the picture gallery, pointing TO the
murder of Buckingham hanging above the scene
of the Bishop murdered on the altar. 1T is not
In poetic keeping have placed all the pictures
myself permit no other hands to NEEDLE with
them, for once within these portals they
cred You must climb the ladder, however. to
civ thn faNv, fheh Nn1y x,,n
the picture until you get down"
Asirlc cambered up the steps and slipped the
cord: the picture glided down elowly. but when
it reached the hosts upstretched hands he ut
tered low groan, fell heavily against the wall
and before Asiric could slowly descend the sharp
corner struck the unguarded temple. In his
agitation the young man let the heavy frame
fail. He leaped to the floor where his patron lay
stunned, with blood oozing from his head. He
lifted and carried him to the divan and shouted
Tor help. There were no appliances to stanch
the wounds Suddenly remembering that the
only servant he had was the mute
he picked up the whistle and sound
ed shrill blast. The negro appeared,
from the ROOM uttering frightful but inartcu-
late sounds While Asiric stood in dire per-
plexity. not knowing whether to search the
house Tor help. the arras at the rear of the dvan
was lifted and the young girl he had seen at the
Battery glided in She recognized him by
hurried glance and said: What is it; how did
1t happenr
She was singularly composed; not Indifferent,
but perfectly self-possessed Asiric explained
and while he was talking she had opened a case
of drawers and laid a box on the table. From
this she selected lint and ointment, and under
the invalid's directions applied it composedly to
the fracture Her glance met Asiric's question
ing gaze once or twice. but she seemed to shrink
from any words, and he remained silent and
foolish, wondering whether he was in a mad
house ~Oriental wizards. 'sThere. my
good Juana tho hurt is mended. Asric Sterne
can give me such aid as | need Go back to
your tasks He said this in Italian not. per-
haps. remembering that Asiric understood the
tongue an well as English The girls eyes met
the young mans ardent gaze. She blushed
slightly, and without word left the room
Nov set your imagination at play and give
me Titanic retribution-a picture that shall
curdle the blood. Withdraw to the further arras