Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1892-06-16

-ssn-SRk-rnAY rough 9A0'U
y5IEN ofbrokens tatuary,
dusty rolls OF canvas, an occasional
niece of unmodeIed clay, easels' pallet
ties and brushes in hopeless contuslon'
marked this the workroom OF an art
list. The floor was bare except Tor a
tiger skin thrown in front OF a large
fireplace, where the cracking hickory
wood diffused a CHEEKY glow through
ont the room. Afood of light came
in through the skylight and illuminat-
ed a portrait resting on an easel, be-
fore which a young man was seated
painting. -,
The portrait was that OF a youth
whose sun of boyhood had scarcely
set: the face was singularly earnest,
with large blue eyes, fair hair, regular
features and an expression which bal
fled description.
The artist was Robert MERCER. Now
and then lie paused, and then contln
ued. as if his task were painful ana
difficult. Occasionally he arose inc
carefully scrutinized his efforts. Sud
denly the door was pushed open and
a Young man entered. He greeted the
artist Familiarity. .
"Ah, Mercier, how does the picture?
Almost finished, / see. You promised
to tell me the circumstances OF Blanc 5
death some time. Why not pow?"
The young fellow threw off his over
coat and sat down by the fire with an
expectant air. MERCER rose, leaned
one elbow on the mantespiece, and
pazed steadfastly at his friend.
doubt if you will believe 1T when
told, but if you are to hear, listen.
II is a strange narrative. And he
related the following:
knew Edmond Blanc in Paris; we
had rooms together in the Quarter
Latin. He was studying to become
an artist, and was very handy with
his brush. That sunset on the
mantel is his work. He was not
wealthy, and a little too proud. On
the other hand he was courteous and
good hearted, always knew just what
to do at the right time, and a most
generous fellow. But he had a temper
quick, dangerous, and at times un-
comfortable.
One Sunday in October, late in the
afternoon, | sat in the study, won
dering what had become OF my chum,
when suddenly Edmund rushed into
the room in a perfect frenzy OF ex-
element. His manner indicated
that something frightful had occurred;
his face was ashen pale, and his trembl-
ing hand convulsively grasped a small
dagger.
He sank into a chair and began iii
a wild disconnected strain:
That cursed tree! At last | have
escaped from it,"
HAD never seer him so agitated.
Before | could answer. however, he re-
stunned:
.'Mercier, listen to me. After / left
you this morning | walked toward
the country. Ifelt worried about those
academy debts, and thought a quiet
ramble would do me good. | was
walking along with Fidele at my heels,
when a thunder-snower camel upon US.
| looked around for some protection
from the rain, and spying a tree near
at hand, ran toward it. | found
there a man who had already awaited
himself of its shelter. We fell into a
conversation which lasted long, and
somehow was turned into a political
dispute. We both became very angry.
Suddenly he caught me by the throat
and pulled put a dagger. | snatched
it from him, but by an unexpect-
| al twISf tha fnnint rjapCAA hfS CiIa
and he fel! at my feet, dead. Oh, Mer-
Gler, | am a murderer"
Here the poor fellow covered his
face with his hands and groaned,
After a while he went on;
But this isn't all. After this
horrible thing happened | turned to
come home, and as | looked behind
mel swear it is true,-there, close
at my back, was that tree following
me! [ thought | was the victim Of
some h~allucination, and tried to
reason myself out of it; but it is true,
too true! 1t followed close as my own
shadow. At times | had TO run, for |
was afraid it would fall on me.
Thank heaven, l have left il outside"
Then he would say no more, Meth
ing about the mar hehad loft ordead,
nothing OF the possible consequences
OF his deed. and it occurred to me that
it was all q miserable mistake, a
temporary alteration induced by
overwork and worry.
As he seemed completely exhausted
by excitement, | persuaded him to
retire. An hour later, as he slept
peacefully, | examined the dagger
still lying on the study table. 1t bore
no signs OF recent use; it was a small
bit OF pointed steel, such as the
women OF medieval times were ac-
Customed to carry concealed about
them. | retired, fully believing that
the next day would clear up the
mystery.
The next morning | was awakened
early by hearing Blanc call me. |
hurried to his room. There he was
before the open window, which faced
the thoroughfare, gazing with indies
crlbable horror at something outside.
What is it?" 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-thev
pass iiSHV ol Oee-iC wave It's arms
towards mel"
looked where he pointed, but |
could see nothing.
"Some strange fancy has taken
possession OF your brain" | said.
lie turned to ME with a look OF I'M
nfterable agony, and | shall never
forget his face as he said with stern,
almost fierce emphasis
You speak falsely! You must be
Ind, stone blind, if you cannot see
yt!'
was now thoroughly alarmed con-
ernlng Edmond's condition; | feared
hat he would go raving mad If he
onslnued in this state of mind. for
he acute mental suffering plainly
shown in his face could not long be
endured. Finally, ] resolved to di-
vert his mind, il possible.
Come said gently, "you are
dreaming; let us get some breakfast: |
I'm hungry"
We went out. Blaine kept LOOKING
behind us as We passed on, and soon
hr0ke out again excited w