The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-08-17
AN ARTISTS TRAGEDY,

nv Hl(l MI ~ l(HUuU |
did you ask me where l got that
picture? II YOU want to listen to ME
will tell you
The speaker was man not yet 40, vet
his hair and beard were white as SNOW,
his black eyes sunken, and strange and
peculiar look of age and suffering was
ON his face. lie seemed like fire burned
out. So far as any interest or enjoyment
to be found in this WORLD was concerned.
it appeared that he might as we'll have
been dead.
1t was in one Of those old towns on the
Rhine. I was travelling, and chance had
thrown me in the way of this man, for l
had stopped for weeks at this quaint
place, finding Il charm every day that
still held me.
We were both English--that l was Il
compatriot may have been the reason
that Ralph Curzon had been casually
kind to me.
He had for years lived in a few rooms
in an old chateau that stood a little bacl:
from the river. The house had been par
TALLY destroyed by fire: Instead of re-
pairing it, Curzon had fitted up these
rooms and dwelt there with one servant.
l was standing in sumptuously fur
nished inner room, where l knew that he
passed most of his time. The windows
overlooked the river. 1t was a prospect
that might have charmed anyone; did it
charm INN?
The picture at which was looking was
hung in a perfect light. 1t was draped
in folds of perfect velvet. In spite. of it's
somber surroundings, the face looked
down will. what seemed an Immortality
radiant smile. 1t was the face of wom-
an-blonde, glowing, beautiful enough to
haunt one.
l stole Il glance at Curzon as he stood
looking at it. Plainly he had for the mo-
mcnt forgotten that anyone was with
him. His eyes told that he was living
over again some time in that unforgotten
past. | made a movement, and he start
ed suddenly and turned toward me.
Some men seem to have the power Of
loving Il score of times," he said, with Il
bitter smile; but l spent all my heart
here. This is a faint hint of what
Laura Stanton was, motioning toward
desire to tell you that part of my life!
Sit down.
As we sat by the window. he began:
"Elghteen years ago | came to this
town, and became acquainted with the
Stantons an English family who had
settled III this chateau.
''Ihe father was genial. cosmopol
ling poets and artists. I got my living
then by painting, and | was in love with
my art. So lily did read Mr. Stanton S
character that I thought it possible he
would consent to my marrying his
daughter. Whether he consented or not.
l intended to have her.
How l. loved that woman. 1t seemed
| TO me that never mortal was so blessed
as was when found that she returned
that love. For two weeks l was utterly
happy: for two weeks we lived in the
knowledge Of each others love. Laura
had begged me not to tell her father-to
leave 1t to her, and as soon as she found
Il hitting time she would tell him, and
bes him to consent to our union.
In that time Of two weeks-ah. could
hannah being hope for more happiness in
q lifetime than was crowded into thos1,
days?-n that fortnight l painted her
portrait. That is it. All that oil and
face | believe l did I was inspired:
| meyer had | done work so sat;sfa ctory.
at the end of that time, by accident,
Mr.. Stanton discovered the existence Of
a love he might have suspected. He was
furious. a poor painter to think of as
piring to the hand of his daugh Ter! Then
it became known that he had promised
and titled friend in England.
Laura had heard the talk concerning
such a match, but had laughed at it,
Not until she knew what love was did
she think of horror OF her fathers wish.
Now, the tyrant in Lester Stanton be-
came unsheathed. He did not hesitate.
In one week from the time when he first
knew that his daughter loved me, this
young Englishman was sent for, and
came.
"Thcir marriage was appointed for tho
following week. Mr.. Stanton was not
going to leave any chance for his daugh
ter to escape. He would have no folly,
he said.
"What did do, you ask? I was wild
with suffering. I knew now what sort
Of a man had to deal with l was dcs-
perate. I knew l could make Laura han
py. [ earned sufficient income already
to live ia comfort. and nv fame Was
growing. [ watched necessarily near
the grounds there until 1 gained an in
terview with her. l p4eaded as a man
who loves and is determined can plead.
All! she loved me-"
Curzon paused moment. Ills gloomy
face was still more pale, his eyes emitted
4 strange light. lie went on:
'She consented to my request. and she
only stipulated that she would not go
away with me directly. She loved her
father, and she longed to be reconciled
to him. The next night she met me, and
we secretly rode to the next town below
US on the river.
I'VE were gone three hours, and when
we came back no human power could
give her to any other-she was my wife!