Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-11-06
THE ARTISTS STORY

81 tell you. ladies'" declared hand.
some and cynical Wilton Robeloy, the
artist, "a fortune teller showed mo the
image of my wife two years before
ever saw her in the flesh and thousands
OF miles from the place first met hor. y
"You are the last man in tho world
whose mind 1 would think obsoured by
the clouds of mysticism, replied the
rich Mrs. Austyn. his friend and patron,
"You have never shown any patience
with the charlatans who pretend to ex-
pose and expound the secrets that wise
providence has ordained we should not
fathom. And yet you are taxing our
credulity with "a statement that would
be marvellous il true. ;"
IL must insist upon my veracity in
this instance" smiled tho artist.
NOW, don't stop to argue, mamma, :"
urged the elder of tho Austyn girls
There Is "a story in this, and after Mr.
Robeley has told it, you can reclaim him
from the darkness of his superstitions
and air your theories Now, do tell us
all about it," and three pretty sisters
sighed their curiosity In chorus
Just so. You don't ask me to OK
plain, " said the artist with quizzical
look II shall give you the remarkable
facts and leave you to wrestle with
them. Eight years ago ! was In Paris
pursuing my studies and lived the life
Of Bohemian from choice rather than
from necessity. We fellows held the re-
sponsibilities Of life very lightly and
laughed at all human phenomena that
would not yield to tho test of material
ism. Twas chief among the sooifers and
found barefaced fraud in everything
from clairvoyancy to tho piercing Of the
future through tho medium of tea
| grounds.
| '1hen, M now, / occasionally broke
entirely away from my usual surround
| ings and was ono day saunterinR along
through Rue do Bogues. As passed one
| of tho most pretentious houses / was
| startled by scream for help and dashed
through the open doorway to find a
woman battling with flames that with
great leaps and flashes were consuming
the white draperies of what struck mo
az consecrated altar out OF place. Our
combined efforts soon mustered the in
oipient confiagration. As tho woman
anointed my hands with some soothing
lotion saw that she was rs dark HI II
gypsy. Her hair rippled back from her
forehead in waves OF blue black, hor
eyes were brilliant in the Same deep
coloring, and her strong, even teeth
suggested polished ivory She was an
amazon in size. yet tho sweeping curves
of beauty were such AZ to fasoinate the
artist, while her motions were az sup.
pie and graceful as those Of tiger.
"'You are gentleman, and there IL
but one way in which can offer return
for your SERVICE she said M turned to
leave Her voice was soft as the notes
Of lutte, and her accent gave unsus-
pected charms to my mother tongue.
4 was born of royal blood in India.
Through study Of the sacred Vedas and
the pure doctrine Of Karna attained
the power OF diviDation. Your people
would classify mo among fortune tell
ers. but am poles apart from tho vul-
gar humbngs that trade upon ignorance
and superstition. Promise you will come
tomorrow, for am upset by this acct
dent. Then will be both your historian
and your prophet j shall count on you,
IN 'seur.
"Though 1 mentally sneered ut the
woman's pretensions and lny awake
half the night assuring myself that l
would never seek her out, was at her
door ten minutes before the appointed
time next day She had either assumed
her professional air or was under the
spell Of her supernatural attainments. /
will not describe tho inner temple Of
mysteries TO which she conducted me,
but in the weird effect Of Its hangings,
mirrors. grotesque carvings and mythio-
al symbols IL challenges the most hard
ened skepticism. Throwing the whole
light Of golden light upon my face
with powerful reflector, she general
lied upon my past life M any shrewd
Judge Of human nature might do. Then,
suddenly knitting her brows and lean
ing closer, she slowly spelled out Mar
cia Arnold.
!" That IL the name Of the girl you
will marry, she announced in u dreamy
voice, and there you see her.
with that the lights faded to the
dimness Of deep twilight and there fol
lowed the darkness Of dungeon. Oppo-
site me as il in life was the image Of
the sweet and beautiful woman you
know az Mrs Robeley. Never before
had been dominated by the tender pas-
sion, but there was fathoms deep in
love with what might have been an en-
chanting illusion or superb painting.
50 deeply was l impressed that after
leaving in bewildernent Of doubt
sketched tho magnificent creature 10 In
delibly impressed upon my memory.
Eighteen months later | was In
southern California, enjoying the medi-
cinal virtues Of the climate and finding
subjects in some Of the delightful seen.
cry. One morning had my easel at the
edge Of wooded precipice overlooking
charming spread Of Landscape. The
velvet carpeting Of grass and moss had
failed to warn me Of approaching foot
steps. and when ] turned II was the
startled movement caused by half sup
pressed scream. There were two ladies'
the elder anxiously supporting tbs
younger, whose face was blanched and
whose eyes were fastened upon me al
though ] were a terrifying appHrition
Il was the girl the Indian sorceress has
! shown me in Paris, but what did sh'
know Of mei
"'What can be the matter, daugh
terri asked the elder. You have Away
been 10 strong and vigorous
"'Is your name Henry Mortonf' ask