Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-10-10
THE ARTISTS STORY

THE ARTISTS STORY.
II tell you. ladies'" declared hand
some and cynical Wilton Robelcy. the
artist. "a fortune teller showed me the
image Of my wife two years before |
ever saw her III the flesh and thousands
Of miles from the place first met her. "
You are the last man i'll the world
whose mind would think obscured by
the clouds Of mysticism, replied the
rich Mrs. Austyn. his friend and patron.
"Ycu have never shown any patience
with the charlatans who pretend TO ex-
pose and expound the secrets that IA wise
providence has ordained we should not
fathom. And yet you are taxing our
credulity with statement that would
be marvellous if true.
II must insist upon my yeracity III
this instance, " smiled the artist.
Now, don't stop TO argue, mamma,
urged the elder of the 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 il. and three pretty sisters
sighed their curiosity in chorus.
Just so. You don't ask me TO ex-
plain, said the artist with quizzical
look. II shall give you the remarkable
facts and leave yon 10 wrcstle 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 the test of material
ism. Twas chief among the scoffcrs and
found barefaccd fraud in everything
from clairvoyancy TO the piercing of the
future through the medium of tea
grounds.
Then. as now, occasionally broke
entirely away from my usual surround
ings and was one day saunierlng along
through Rue dc BogueS. As passed one
of the most pretentious houses l 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 We're consuming
the white drapcries of what struck me
as consecra.ed altar out Of place Our
combined efforts soon mastered the in
cipient conflagration. AS the woman
anointed my hands with. some soothing
lotion l saw that she was as dark as a
gypsy. Her hair rippled back from her
forehead III waves of blue black, her
eyes were brilliant in the same deep
coloring. and her strong, even teeth
suggested polished ivory. She was an
amazon in size. yet the sweeping curves
artist, while her motions Were as sup.
pie and graceful rs those Of tiger.
lyon are a gentleman, and there is
but one way in which can offer return
for your service, she said as turned to
leave. Her voice was soft rs the notes
Of lutte, and her accent gave unsus-
pected charms to my mother tOngue.
L was born Of royal blood in India.
Through study Of the sacred Vedas and
the pure doctrine of karma / attained
the power of divination. Your people
would classify mo among fortune tell
ers, but l am poles apart from the vul-
gar humbugs that trade upon ign orance
and superstition. Promise you will come
tomorrow, for | am upset by this acct
dent. Then Twill be both your historian
and your prophet. l shall count on you.
IN seur.
Though | mentally sneered at the
woman's pretensions and lay 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 the inner temple of
mysteries 10 which she conducted me,
but i'll the weird effect of its hangings,
mirrors. grotesque carvings and mythic-
al symbols it 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 as any shrewd
judge of human nature might do. Then,
suddenly knitting her brows and lean
ing closer, she slowly spelled out Mar
Ella Arnold.
That i the name of the girl you
| will marry, she announced in dreamy
voice. 'and there you see her.
with that the lights faded to the
dimncsS of deep twilight and there fol-
lowed the darkness of dungeon. Oppo-
site me as if i'll life was the image of
the sweet and beautiful woman YOU
know as Mrs. Robeley. Never before
had been dominated 10y the tender pas
sion, but there | was faihoms deep in
love with what might have been an en-
chanting Illusion or superb painting.
So deeply was | impressed that after
leaving i'll a bewildormcnt of doubt
sketched the magnificent creature so in.
delibly impressed upon my memory.
Eighteen months later | was in
southern California, enjoying the medi.
cinal virtues of the climate and finding
subjects i'll some of the delightful seen
cry. One morning had my easel at the
edge Of a wooded precipice overlooking
charming spread of landscape. The
h'iftN NaA pteihS vi Siao1 anu iiioss llsNi
failed TO warn me Of approaching foot.
steps, and when ] turned il was tho
startled movement caused by half sup
pressed scream. There were two ladies,
the elder anxiously supporting the
younger, whose face was blanched and
whose eyes We're fastened upon me as
though ] Were a terrifying apparition.
II was the girl the Indian sorceress had
shown me III Paris. but what did she
know Of me:
What can be the matter. daugh-
teri asked the elder. You have always
been so strong and vigorous.
j. your name Henry Norton ask
ed the younger Of me, without needing
the mothers question.
1t is Wilton Rohclcv, / responded
quietly. At that instant il flashed upon
me that i'll desire to conceal my iden-
THY had given the name Of Henry Nor
ton tn the fortune teller Then, with
the inspiration Of an anxious lover, |
added. But | have cousin Of that
name. who bears striking resemblance
to me
My INN odiate reward was revival
Of strength and spirits on the part Of
the young lady. The mother introduced
herself rs Mrs. Gilsen. her daughter as
Miss Gilsen. and then said. Lucy, we
had best get back ia the hotel.