The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-16
An idol of Stone.

dOgged devotion 10 Sy Oh InurlOc, tne drt-sI
Lorenzo offered up an almost fanatical
worship to the idol he had fashioned by
the cunning of his hands.
A slim, girlish figure in flowing draper
les, with grave face and speculative eyes
that gazed away from the world, and back
into the white mysteries of the heaven
whence her spirit came, lightly folded
hands that idly held a few dropping pop
pies.
The God who created little Lorenzo
Thompson, with his queer duplex nature.
alone knew how the man and the artist
made a fawless ideal from the girl and
her lovely replica, and bowed Gown before
their fond imaginings to worship. unsus-
pecting, the mere creation Of mind. hand,
and brain.
The idol of marble was set UP in Lorenzo
Thompsons studio, and almost jealousy
he issued invitations for private view
before its dispatch to the academy.
OF one thing Lorenzo was feverishly de-
termined, upon one point Thompson was
sternly set---Sybil must pledge her word
to come into his life when the idol passed
out from it and into the world.
TIE small Chelsea studio was thronged
with an unusually enthusiastic gathering.
The idol looked dreamily down upon
everything but breathe the breath of life,
upon the girl whose image it bore AMI
who. living and moving, yet rivaled it in
coldness and lack of feeling. upon the
polite congratulatory crowd, upon the
painful little scene enacted at its very
feet.
For there close to his handiwork, when
twilight had fallen and the room was prac-
tically empty--Lorenzo Thompson laid
the heart God had given him and the fame
Sybil had helped him TO win, as offerings
meet for the girls acceptance.
But she smiled, frowned, help up her
hand to silence him; then. with petulant
movement, turned away.
Lorenzo caught her hand, and with fierce
persistence forced her to face him--hiS
long pent-up love carrying away all bar
riers OF reserve Whether for good or i'll,
for veal or woe. he must speak now, AMI
be answered.
Sybil pouted becomingly and found the
interview tiresome. Thank goodness! this
statue at least was safely finished---this
explanation and the subsequent deluge
could do no harm now.
"You were like a brother to me-" she
assured him artlessly. did I not often
tell you SOP" l never cared for you, ex-
cept, of course, with an entirely sisterly
affection, but-Mr Baxter is in candles,
you know-trade is everything nowadays,
is it not? and ne says he will give you
your own price for the marble. We are
10 be married before the end Of the sum-
mer."
Lorenzo giared at her with ugly, venge-
full eyes, then up at the idol above them.
pray accett my congratulations" said
Thompson, smoothly, as he stood away
from her, with a low bow, to let stout
dowager pass and inspect his work. MY
thanks 10 Mr.. Baxter, but you-she is not
for SALE
Good God! how some devil came and
whispered TO Lorenzo to take her by her
soft white throat and hold her till the fair
face and lying tongue lost all power to
smile and trick loving soul TO worse than
death. Something seemed to follow him,
ever pressing closely to his side, urging,
tempting g-klli-kill-kill,
TIE familiar studio became a very hell
to Lorenzo's maddened fancy, as he bat
tied with his tempter, and looked with
burning eyes upon his idol-the idol that
they would wish to buy from him with
their accursed gold. Would 1t, too. be
lost, torn from him against his all too i'm
potent will?
Thompson courteously bade his friends
goodbye, standing on the threshold of
his studio and holding aside the quaint
old tapestry hangings.
A light parting word-careless smile
a glance. half defiant, half pleading, from
soft gray eyes-the fragrance of the violets
at her breast to mock him with the re-
menbrance Of last springtide, when his
love had awakened with all the other sweet
ne 0f-dp
was ended.
He closed the door, dropped the curtains
into their place, and was at last alone
alone but for the idol who looked down
upon him with unfathomable eyes.
He crossed the room and stood staring
down from the window into the dreary
Chelsea street.
Lorenzo saw nothing of what Thompson
saw-there was no studio to shut him in
from the outer world, no London 70 hem
him about by her black river and miles
of busy thoroughfares.
He was watching a girl who leaned in a
studied attitude of grace against an old sea
wall, her gray eyes gazing far away to
where the dim skyline came softly down
In mist to meet the sea. He thrilled at the
tender encoura cement OF her voice, made
doubly musical by the rythmetical laplap
of the baby waves. Far out from the land
white-winged gulls floated and dipped
amidst dark and green belt OF shore
bound seaweed. A wee fishing boat went
dancing bravely away up the crimson glory
cast by the setting sun over the sparkling
waters Golden boat and little Quivering
golden sails that caught and held the las,
radiance of the dying day-silver tear
drops that glistened in the long white track
stretching far behind.
This present vision was all Lorenzo be-
heved in, it at least was real-al the rest
was some trickery OF his overwrought
brain.
Thompson turned back into the room
with a quick sigh, realizing that the past,
with all its sweetness, was dead
And then at last Lorenzo awakened.
With a harsh theatrical laugh he stopped
and picked up his ch.sel and mallet from
where-with Bohemian carelessn ess-he
had left them at his IDOLS feet. He looked
up into the eyes that could not see or
pity. the eyes that only spoke to him now
uf heart that could not feel.
HIS idol, The very personification OF his
ideal-his angel who had existed solely in
his imagination,
The lovely. graceful figure that was 20
win his name, fame, and fortune. The
beloved creation OF his hand, brain, and
heart. OF his very life's love.
r. was Lorenzo who vowed. with Al evil
little oath. that he would not pander 20 a
! selfish woman's heartless vaHity-Lorenzo's 5
| ruthless hand that savagely demolished
| his idol OF art and love-LoTenZo's unbri-
| died passion that swept aside all chance
Of immediate fame for the base. moment
ary delight OF wholly petty Southern re-
/ venEe.
Ch.sel ard malIeti A strong arm with
| temporary madness 20 aid Il, and Lorenzo
| had lad his own heart and Sybus pride