The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-10-04

| the forthcoming exhibition.
In proof thereof he was early i'm his
studio on the following morning with n
look OF determination upon his hand
some face. His first duty was to re.
move the portrait of little Oracle from
the easel and turn it face inward TO
the wall.
He did not bestow single glance
upon the lovely pictured features pcr-
haps he did not care to. perhaps he did
not dare. "
Selecting fresh canvas he seated
himseif before it and began to roughly
sketch III with charcoal -,ometbipT Of
his idea.
So Interested did he become in his
work that he failed to hear the sharp
ring Mt the door bell, or the rustic of silk
as u ludy entered the studio. He was
quite unaware OF presence in tho
room until low, melodious voice, Tint
thrilled him TO tho soul. pronounced
his name.
"Mr. Arnim2"
He turned quickly, started to his
Ieet, and confronted his visitor, who
had just raised her veil. Foran instant
lie felt rs if bc must be bcreft of his
senses.
III hc lnd been Il magician and DOS
ses3cd tho power to conjurc from tho
bowels of the earth spirit to suit his
purpose, he could not have dreamed in
his widest flight of fancy of n face, q
hgure, tout ensemble more perfectly
IN accord with his idea of the proposed
Satanella. And when we inform the
reader that the person in question was
none other than Cora, Boyden's dis
cnrdcd wife, he will appreciate how fully
the woman would ngrce with the picture
in the artists mind.
In heavens name who are You ?" cx-
claimed Arnim, when the first shock of
surprise had passed.
She smiled upon him in way that
made his blood tingle in his veins, as
she replied:
Il am the model you advertised Tor,
II L suit your purpose.
Suit my purposew he exclaimed,
enthusiastically; "why, you are the very
embodiment of Satanclla."
Then his face fell and he grew serious
as he glanced ut her rich attire. "But
you are no ordinary model" he added;
Il fear that ], being poor man, cannot
afford TO pay you your price for sitting
to me-"
She smiled again, utterly bewitching
him with her mystic beauty.
".As you say" she replied, II am no
ordinary model. / have never sat for
my portrait before, and I would not sit
to yo,,-if cid not like you. expect
and ask no payment for my services. T
shall consider myself amply repaid il
you produce u portrait of me which
shall set the world talking about me.
he was about to interrupt will,
some eager exclamation,s when she
raised her black gloved hand in token
of silence.
wait" sho added, until you hear
my terms. Perhaps you will not agrco
to them"
Il agreo TO. anything, 30 long us |
can paint you'll"
house, nor even III this city, for am
going away"
II would follow you to tho ends of
the Garth to paint such face as yours!"
She smiled such encouragement that
her victim was translated.
"You need not take so long jour
ncy," she answered.; within few
hours will send you word where You
can find me. May 1 depend upon you ?"
IF live will come to you!"
every we'll. need not tell you
that am glad to have met you. Au
TeUoir."
He followed her to the street door
and saw her enter the cab that awaited
her. He saw her fatally beautiful face
smiling upon him, but he failed to hear
her give the address which, within the
hour, would bring her into the pres
encc of the sweet, pure girl who, for the
time being, had been swept from his
memory by this strangers unholy spell.
Thus the first step toward tho con-
summation of Boyden's villainous re-
venge was taken!
While Arnim sat alone in his studio,
dreaming in ecstasy of the vista which
fortune had opened before him, the cab,
which contained the baleful enchan-
tress rolled rapidly down town in the
direction of Detective Bancker's hum
bic home, where, ut the moment, little
Oracle and her friends were convened,
listening to the report of the detectives
fruitless search.
Discouraged at the fruitless outlook.
Lawyer Edgar had just risen to his feet
and exclaimed:
every we'll, my client shall no longer
be kept out of her property" when tho
veilcd woman ascended the steps of the
house, and rang for admittance. The
blind luck which had attended her
through life had served to place her in
communication with Rupert Arnim, and
she daringly trusted to it now to fur
nish her with tidings of little Oracle by
calling upon Detective Baucker, who,
her husband had informed her by writ
ing on hor tablets, had charge of the
case.
It was seizing the bull by tho horns
with vengeance, but Cora Boyden was
never IL woman to stop and consider
tho consequences when she was play
ing for high stakes.
Her appearance in Mr.. Bancker's
parlor caused decided scnsasion.
Every eye was riveted upon her elegant
figure and yelled face. and it was the
detective, rs master of the house, who
\ 4 a