The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-06-18
THE STORY OF STE. CECILE.


The ssa.fstNs E,a=ss IS unknown. bu,
y ~ sSia sS,sn the overthrow al Max
'JrsiihH THIS Tiss&-e vas seisei and
ercSfgis Sc IBIS caSsA;-y from Mexico
\ The saIssasg represents a young and
seassas5 se.aaaa gSsSsss from the harp
wllsA stands BESIDE her. its strings
seeisaG,s sazs@ss 20 Nitrate from the
ro@;A % h&s GassEs, Her rich drap
ertss fall in lsarvs,ous folds OF sheen
and splsndov. her golden hair floats
like an au-sole round her fair should.
ers, while her face wears rapt, seraph,
&c expression rs she gazes upon an
angel family outlined holding crown
above her head. Kneeling at the feet
OF the woman is n youth in Spanish
costume, who is overwhelmed, it
would seem, By her glorious beauty.
Many years ago this painting, reach
Ing from floor to ceiling, stood against
the wall OF miserable apartment
overlooking the busy streets OF the
Mexican capital. The sun and air
strenmed in unhindered through it's
open windows, and at night the ghost
ly moonlight fell in mrrow. like patch
es on the bare uneven floor. The
brilliant coloring of the picture, now
soitened and mellowed by time, con-
trasted strangely with the dinginess
and poverty of the room. There
were brushes and an easel and all the
necessary paraphernalia of an artists
studio, but none of it's elegancies; in
deed, the room served as lodging
room, kitchen, and atelier combined
It's occupant, the artist, was a
Spaniard by birth, of middle age,
once handsome. now worn and wasted
with disease. He was called miser
by some, by others spendthrift. A
miser because it was known that his
work had sold for great sums, yet he
lived 30 meanly; spendthrift because
he gave gold coins to little urchins
who climbed the uncertain staircase
to look at this wonderful picture Ste.
Cecile. His ambition seemed to have
burned itself out in the accomplish
ment OF this his last work, yet no offer,
however large, could tempt him to
part with it. One bright morning q
troop of ragged children clambefed up
| the steps to look ut Ste. Cecile and to
gather the coin that might be their re-
ward. They crept softly along the
gallery that ran outside, and peeped
in at the open door, but no sound
welcomed them. Then they entered
| on tiptoe-no one was there. Turn
ing to scamper down again, a groan
frightened them out of their wits, I'M
til they discovered their benefactor,
the painter, lying in one corner upon
couch whose draperies he had torn
away in his struggles for air.
Seeing that help was needed, the
children clattered hastily down to call
assistance. The first person they en-
countered was a doctor upon his daily
rounds. He was familiar with this
quarter OF the city and knew some
thing OF the poor artist.
Persons noting his eccentricities had
said the painter was mad, that his
love for n beautiful woman had turned
his poor brain. He was sane enough
to execute wonderful sketches with
palette and brush, he passed in and
out silent and alone, he harmed no
one, he Stunned the world, therefore
the world passed by on the other
side.
Aware that the painter had not
many hours to live, the doctor out
of sheer sympathy for his lonely con-
dition tarried by the bedside after adj
ministering restoratives.
Painting for breath the patient turn.
ed suddenly and said, doctor, do
you doubt that souls are created,
eternal, immortal? Is there any who
think that from nothing we came and
unto nothing we return?" The doctor
placed his finger upon his own lip to
enjoin silence, fearing that even SO
slight an exertion would hasten dis
solution.
Not needing the caution the man
continued
II must tell you, doctor, ! must tell
you. / cannot carry this secret with
me. Listenl this is not the only ex-
istence that ! have known"
The doctor smiled.
"Ah, you do not believe thisf You
think rave? Doctor, never saw
things clearer than at this moment"
Partly rising he looked wildly
around and then whispered, IL was
born upon another planet! Sometimes
the remembrance OF that life is waited
to me in vague whispers, heeting as q
breath, intangible as a dream"
EYES," said the doctor, 1--WE oil have
such fancies."
at is no fancy, doctor. In that
land / had n twin soul who Ind
power to bring forth music from reeds
and shells, enhancing all with the
power OF song. The chief condition OF
existence in that realm is self-abnega-
ton. The penalty for it's infringement
IL banishment to this planet called
Earth for a longer or shorter period
according to the enormity OF the o.
fensc."
The incredulous smile OF the doctor.
seemed to urge the man to further con-
fsssion,