Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

was Just finishing the task Of lighting these
lamps and was at the end opposite to where we
STOOD MY anxiety was now growing painful
tne deliberate movements of our artist friend
only exasperatiug me. Finally he motioned to
hask,ns as he said: ''You may remove the cur
tam from In front OF you"
SERIES OF sURrRrsKs
He did so; then, laughing. exclaimed: "oh, q
mirror for we all saw his reflection there and
thought this only fancy with which the artist
was introducing his works. But as we looked
we found that the reflection, as we thought it,
was mononiess. The red background had con-
.rlou,ea toward giving the impression Of u mir
TOT mere. Haskins seemed dumfounded: he
had put forth his hand to assure himself there
was no glass before HIM and leaned toward the
image. The deformed artist having Joined u.s.
put out his arm and pressed him back, drawing
.ue cuf Iain TO Its former position the adjoin-
ing one WAS removed aud again there was an
image OF Haskins. murmur Of approval
arose from US all. While we realized that this
eecono ngure was no less an image of Haskins,
yet there was something strangely different, a
generous hand, something more compli-
mentary than the retouching of q photo
graphic negative had influenced is. softening
ana blending toward idealism every line Of
form and face. We remained in silence while
third, fourth. fifth cannot recall how many
-oi these constantly varying figures were one
oy one revealed TO US. and could see a glow of
approval and admiration on the countenances
OF our lar friends as they now turned toward
haskins, Tor while that last figure was perfect
III many beauty, something more than earthly
ana undeemiy attractive. yet SO gradually had
the change been wrought, looking from one to
the otner OF the forms In the panorama that
when the first scene was exposed to view we
could only recognize it as one and the same as
that last shown. Haskins had always been in
appearance rather comely fellow, but when
now looked at him could only see the Has
klns OF the artists imagination. l cannot
Justly describe the effect on my sight. He was
that same careless Haskins I had known be-
fore, yet, when looked at him, there seemed
to be a suggestion of that ideal man which
felt he must be. He was not slow in appre-
eating the compliment that had been paid
HIM aud saw clearly the effect this revelatlon
had had on his new found friend What had
before feared now became In my mind a GER
tainty. Expressing our satisfaction We re-
traced our steps. Inc exhibition had in some
way eiated all in the party. Hask.ns' vanity
had been so touched that he looked at peace
with the whole world.
We returned to music, song and an enjoy
ment OF free conversation. Haskins was IN
an atmosphere OF enchantment, as was Dona
Angelina, who performed tor him more of his
pieces on the violin. Don EzequIel now
noticed the absorbing interest they exchanged,
and seemed very uneasy. He left the room
and did not return for some time but We paid
little attention to his absence. When he did
return noticed my watch and was SURPRISED
at the hour. not having been aware OF the
night OF time. l arose to leave, but Haskins
interrupted my first word.
You Will excuse me-" be stammered "for
making request that perhaps 1 should not
mention. But what you have shown me, the
"orh IN your studio, seems SO strange SO
supernatural in its power, can hardly realize
mat !. Is more than dream-a mere fancy of
my MIND. Once more permit me to see that
may not doubt the evidence of my sight" he
entreated.
MODELS OF pIFFENT KIND.
The request was willingly granted and We
moved from the luxurious apartment to the
corridor of the patio. Haskins wore the air of
man who possessed only confidence and was
accustomed only to fia;tery. Who would not
rather ENJOY such intense fiattery as was paid
Am by the models the artist had shown?
The first form was repetition of what We
mad seen. But we were startled when the adj
joining curtain was displaced, and all of us ex-
changed anxious Sianccs. The change in that
form anu Inquire was not toward the ideal we
had come TO look upon as the real Haskins:
there was q suggestion of incongruity about
the whole figure. Then came the next and
others folio wed.
My God" heard Haskins fairly scream in
despairlng tones which can never forget. He
eSeaeo w move ior something TO dash at those
monsters OF humanity, constantly growing SO
terrible that We could but stare as we looked from
one to the other. CHASTITY expression was on
the lace OF each, witnessing the transformation,
ana, hght the feeling as l would, l Was as
greatly overwhelmed by repugnance of the
person OF my friend as were the others. In
his lace as saw 1t now there was Bile nded express
slons OF all that was evil, every line of his form
and feature was distorted, there mingling all
influences OK discord clashing for expression,
yet beyond question it was Haskins. / heard
shrek after shrek that told of hopeless de-
spair, then heavy fall 1 wanted to fiy from
the place as saw our fair friends doing in ter
ror, but by great effort l reasoned that really
no change had taken place with the msn swoon-
ing at my feet, that it was only my old friend,
whose nerves had boon unstrung by a power
full exhibition Of the artist. l fought my re-
pugnance to the man, though it was the great
est night have ever made. How / carried him
home do not remember clearly. But put
him to bed and for weeks his lite was despaired
of. In his raging fever he showed that the
memory OF that fatal night was ever present in
bis mind.
1t was long time before the sick man could
again leave his room. Not being able to COM
pietely overcome the repulsive feelings that
his presence excited. and not wishing to have
him see that this was 80, managed to keep
away from him as much as possible. He is q
changed man, hear, and no longer in spirit
the Haskins l knew Of old. eek