Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-23
'1s It possible that she i. the wife Of that

as It possible that she is the wife Of that
hideous creature?' queried.
'HideousI ho repeated in o questioning
manner. Then his face frightened a. he smiled
and continued: "You must know him better
His art will cause you to see only perfection of
| human beauty when you view him.
Bewlidered and speaking no other word
moved away toward the hotel. What could
this man mean by declaring that his art would
teach me to see In those hideous lines of body
and countenance the perfection Of humanity?
The more pondered on it the more confused
grew my mind Could it be possible that such
monstrosity had. through some knavery, en-
trapped in marriage this girl whose beauty
would make her prominent among the most
refined society in the world2 Il it mesmerisrn.
hypnotism? The superstition seemed unlikely
and could not entertain it for q moment. All
attempts to surmisc a reasonable causo for this
incongruity failed me and only became more
cntangled in the mystery.
THE WIZARD AND HIS THEORY
On the following morning when opened my
eyes and pushed aside the mosquito netting of
the cot for q long time could believe only
that the memory Of that scene, so wildly i'm
pressed on my mind, was a dream.
$50 you havo met tho old wizard and his
beautiful princess?'
1t was young Haskins who spoke A good
natured young American whose chief capital
lay IN his power to take nothing seriously
was not easily comprehended he had no interest
In solving and he quickly disposed of such
matters. So lie had travelled through Central
America. cold merchandise here and there and
made friends with every one. He was amused
by all things and his temper ruffied bv none
Well he continued, II think he is great
humbug He is an artist with great accumu-
lation of old rubbish In his studio, though I
have seen but little of it. lie is dreamer. who
has Developed many peculinrites of the genu-
Ina Aroa l. H.
ing. lie declares that all things perfect
and that nothing really exists but the bcauti-
ful. tine theory he continued. laughing,
''for one with such hideous carcass as Is his.
lie claims that dcformity OF body. mind or
morals IL only disease, which al, are susceptible
to. Creator than all, the old fellow claims that
ne can demonstrate tina. the ugliest thing is
tho most beautiful and that the perfect are
really ugly But am repeating trash, though
Tor the lie OF Inc every time think OF the old
ieiiow and the way he has hoodwinked that
Young wife, who gives him more admiration
than ever Juliet gave Romeo, l cannot help
laughing till my sidts ache. He started To
initiate me into the mysteries of his studio
some time ago. but tired of his talk before
he had drawn the curtains Of his show, and so
managed to cut my call short. Now, let us
nave fresco OF an American variety and then
u game OF pool"
Ny mind " as in no mood for other thoughts
than those winch conferred around this strange
creature, and saw my companion was already
tired OF the subject. Still | urged him to tell
me more of the history of this unseemly mar
rage.
THE STORY OF HIS MARRIAGE.
'As near as 1 can learn" he went on, "the
old fellow fell in love with her who is now his
bride many years ago. when she was but little
tot and pupil ir his school here. Since then
she has always been under his instruction when
child and the result has been he- infatuation
with him when she became a woman. You NAV
well believe that such beautiful girl would
have many admirers. OF good family here
she was sought in marriage by dozens of the
young men possessed of money and good looks
but she passed them all by and for n couple of
years has apparently been the happiest of
brides, although married to that old brute. and
he has never had the least cause for jealousy,
though there are an abundance of those who
would gladly give him such cause were they
able Some day when have nothing better to
do l want to look into his den again. for they
say he has an image of himself there 'as he
really Is and without his deformitv; that YOU
cannot dispute that it is himself, though more
perfect IN manly beauty than an Apollo.
Strangest of all, lie deludes people who look on
that model 80 that they recognize him III il,
although he is such mass of ugliness Then
the old rascal, they say, besides making him
sell an Apollo. manipulates models Of the young
men whom he has reason to fear as rivals So
that they, are made to appear more hideous than
himself"
l rather eagerly inquired whether it would
be possible for me to make The acquaintance of
the man and see the means he employed TO
work such wonders. Il might" / said, 'ex-
pose some fraud, for he may exercise only
power OF mesmerism, the influence of which is
probably unknown to the people he controls.
1t least the day oil the wizard has passed; what
lie does he must do by maans of some fraud"
You voice my sentiments exactly" said
Haskins, with yawn. but if you should ex-
pose him you will make more enemies than
friends and probably be chased out of town,
for who would believe any assertion you make
placed against the superstitIous reverence
with which he is Held? But if you are deter
mined to know the old fellow you have only to
speak to him when you pass him in the street,
start conversation, and the result depends
ON the impression he has of you. II he takes
to yon be will grow communicative invite you
to his house, pour his theories into your ear
and pei haps add you TO the list OF those who
admire his beauty Think of this beautvr
Oh, 1t as too good" he exclaimed, no longer
able TO control his laughter. Il rather admire
the sly old fox; who pulls the wool over the eyes
OF his admirers SO cleverly." c. E. h.