The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-10

than in her earlier books. This story
of AN Elusive Lover" is distinctly or
iginal 1t passes beyond the realm of
imagery and grim fancy INDUCED in by
Stevenson in DIR. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde" yet it deals with something of
the same fancy of duality of being. But
in this case there is no dramatic horror
such as attaches to Stevenson remark
able conception. Here we have one man
with two distinct beings in love with
Ole woman.
In neither case has the one conscious
ness of the other. The woman, poor
music teacher, loves but one. Each per
LOGICALLY mysteriously disappear, aud
the temperance of the one invariably
corresponds with the absence of the
other Neither was ever able TO explain
his frequent and mysterious lapses into
absence to others. nor could he give
himself any reason for them, If he was
conscious of them. This lover of the
teacher was an artist, German of re-
finement, poetic temperament personal
attractiveness. was high minded and an
all-around gentleman. In time he paint
ed a notable picture. the sale OF which
was to mean much to the lovers. A pur-
chaser was reported in the person of one
neither had even seen. but who really
was the lover's-what shall we call him
-"other self?" This second being was
a great swell. rich and the son of wo-
man of wealth who INDUCED him 10 his
full. He was Incorporate to degree
that was reckless. and but for his riches
ard the constant guard kept over him
by devoted valet, would have landed
ia the gutter. His habit of vanishing
for a time was jealousy guarded by
the valet. while as for himself it would
seem that he had no more idea of the
lapsed days than one who rouses from
long sleep after debauch.
This man purchased the painting of
the German because he had fallen in
love with the face, TO which the artist
had transferred the features of his love.
The purchaser was resolved to find the
model, for such woman could alone,
in his judgment, rescue him from him
self. 4 meeting was arranged between
the artist and the purchaser Of his PIC
ture with a view to further orders, but
ii failed for an obvious reason. In the
meantime the German learned OF the
infatuation of his unseen patron for the
woman of the picture, which led 10 The
sending of a challenge which in time was
accepted by the young blood. y meet
ing was appointed. but only the German
kept the engagement. A second date
was fixed but only the man of the purse
put in an appearance. In the mean
while the latter's fiancee and the artist 5
sweetheart unhappiy met. A ocket the
latter wore with her lovers portrait was
accidentally opened. The res ult was .ha-
the poor music teacher r ceivei from the
other woman the most humiliating of
insults, being told that in the face in the
locket the daughter of fortune recoS-
ni2ed her betrothed. and whose enSag2-
ment ring she wore, While It'd music
teacher could show no orcet of troth
pledged, her explanation being secuted
that her lover had insisted upon tue
lceket taking the place of the usual ring,
against which he held a stout prejudice.
We do not propose TO carry the read
ers deeper into the story. They must
read the novel at their leisure. To this
point il is plain and simple enough. The
real interest and the skill OF the story
teller develop in the after pages, when,
because of the disappearance of the
registering son of wealth, the German
lover is placed on trial for the murder
of his other self Here, what is known
as amnesia. a disease Of forgetfuness.
of lapses OF memory during long and
short periods. out OF which one brings
nothing of what he did or heard or
read, on return to his normal condi-
ton. and takes up the thread of his