The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-24
FATE'S MEASURE.

was an odd-look ing room. Plaster casts
and half-fnished pictures adorned the walls
here and there a rough sketch. Bits OF
broken statuary, dusty rolls Of canvas an
occasional piece of unmOdeled clay, easels'
palettes and brushes in hopeless confusion
marked this the workroOm Of an artist. ne
floor was bare except for a tiger SKIN
thrown in front of a large fireplace, where
the cracking hickory wood dlhused
ebeerv glow throughout the room. A Hood
of light came in through the skylight and
Illuminated a portrait resting on an easel,
before which a young man was seated,
painting.
The portrait was that Of youth whose
sun Of boyhood had scarcely set; the face
was singularly earnest, with large blue
eyes. fair hair, regular features and en- ex-
preston which Allied description.
The artist was Robert MERCER. Now and
then he paused, and then continued, as II
his task were painful and difficult Occa-
sionally be arose and carefully scrutinized
his efforts. Suddenly the door was pushed
open and q young man entered. lie greeted
the artist Familiarity.
Sab. MERCER. how does the picture? Al
most finished, l see. You promised 10 tell
me the circumstances OF blanco uedtn
some time. Why not nOw?"
The young fellow threw of his OyeTcoat
and sat down By the fire with an eXpectant
air. MERCER rose, leaned one elbow on
the mantelpiece, ana gaZed steadtastly at
his friend
but If YOU care to hear, listen. 1t IS
strange narrative. And he related the fol-
lowing:
| knew Edmond Blanc in Paris; we had
rooms together in the Quarter Latin. lie
was studying to become an artist and was
very handy with his brush. That sunset on
the mantel is his work BE was not
wealthy and a little too proud. On the
other hand he was courteous and good
hearted, always knew just what TO 90 al the
right time, and a most generous fellow.
But he had a temper quick, dangerous ana
al times uncomfortable.
One Sunday In October, late In the after
noon, [ sat in the study, wondering what
had become of my chum, when suddenly
Edmond rushed into the room III PEI iect
frenzy Of excitement His manner Indicated
that something frightful had occurred; his
face was sshen pale, AMI his trembling hand
cOnVulsively grasped q small dagger.
he sank into a chair, and began IN Wild,
disconnected strain:
"That cursed tree! At last have escaped
from it!'
had never seen him so agitated. Before
could answer, however lie resumed:
"MeTcier, listen TO me. After l left you
this morning | walked toward the country.
felt worried about those academy debts,
and though: a quiet TaInble would do me
good. | was walking along with FIdele at
my heels, when a thundeT-shOWeT Came
upon US. ! looked around for some pT0teC-
ton from the rain, and spying tree near
at hand, ran toward 1t, l found there
man who had already ayailed himself Of its
shelter. We fell into a conversation which
L. 1a0xE- cd int -
political dispute. We both became very
angry. Suddenly he caughtme by the throat
aud pulled out dagger. l snatch5d 1t from
him, but by an unexpected twist the point
pierced his side, and he fell at my feet,
dead. Oh, MeTcler. L AIN murderer!
Here the poor fellow covered his face with
hands and gruaned. After while he went
But this isn't all. After this horrible
thing happened | turned TO come home, and
as l looked behind mel swear IL is true!-
there close at my back, was that tree fol-
lowing me : / thought / was the victim Of
some haliUciEatiOD, and tried to reason MY
self out Of it; but II IS true, too true II To-
lowed close as my own shadow. st times l
had TO run, for was afraid Il would fail on
me. Thank heaven, l have left il outsidew
Then be would say no more, nothing
sbout the man he had left for dead, nothing
Of the possible consequences Of his deed,
and IL occurred to me that il was all a mis-
cradle mistake, a temporary alteration in
duced by OYeTWUTk and Worry.
As be seemed completely exhausted by
excitement, l persuaded him 10 retire. An
hour later, as be slept peacefully, / exam
ined the dagger still lying on the study
table i bore no signs Of recent use; 1t
was a small bit Of pointed steel, such as the
women Of medieval times were accustomed
20 carry concealed about them. I retired.
fully believing that the next day would
clear M the MYSTERY.
The next morning | was awakened early
by hearing Blanc call me. l hurried 10 bis
room. There he was before the open win
dow, which faced the thoroughfare, gazing
with indescribahle horror at something out
side.
What Is TIP" I asked, running TO him.
"Oh." he cried, there is that cursed tree
in the middle Of the street, and people don't
seem TO mind it-they pass right by. See
1t waves Its arms toward mel!
Hooked where be pointed, but l could see
nothing.
"Some strange fancy has taken possession
Of your brain" | said,
He turned to me with look OF unutter-
able agony, and l shall never forget his
face as he said with stern, almost fierce,
emphasis-
you speak falsely You must be blind
stone blna, il you cannot see itP'
was now thoroughly alarmed concerning
Edmond's condition; l feared that he would
go raying mad # he continued in this state
OF mind, Tor the acute mental suffering
plainly shown in his face could not long be
endured Finally, resolved TO divert mis-
mind, if possible.
Gone, l said gently, You are dreaming
let us get some breakfast; am hungry"
We went out. Blanc kept looking behind
US as We passed on, and soon broke out
again excitedly-
Here it comesl Now it is directly he
hind US. MERCER, save me! save me!'
Ee erasped my arm frantcally I at
tempted TO s0othe him, but to little purpose
see, It beckons noW-We must fOllowl'
he cried
thought I would humor him, so we
turned into road leading from the city.
Suddenly be stopped and whispered:
LOok-lt stops there, where that crowd
is. and stil waves It's branches toward me p
turned my eyes in the direction IN
which he pointed. A score or more Of peo-
Die were gathered about a large tree, and
two OF them seemed 10 the act of bearing
away the body Of a dead man. As ap-
preached l heard ous of the crowd saw
''He has been murdered!" and then i
caught SIGHT Of an ugly wound in his side
stopped Tor moment aud tried to think.
Was L dreaming, or was my poor friend
sane when he spoke Of the terrible event of
the day before. The reality seemed all too
CHASTITY for me to comprehend, and | shut
my eyes to collect my scattered wits.
linen my thoughts returned to Blanc.
The crowd was gone. He was nowhere in
Slght. called twice. His little dog,
bldele, came running TO me at the sound Of
py voice. Edmond must be near the tree
FASTENED toward It. AS / did SO saw a
shadow IN the bright sunlight It was the
poQy OF Edmond Blanc, swinging from one
Of the lower branches.