The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1902-12-27

The model who posed for that pic
iuro expired under the finishing
touches Of the painters brush. No
zone ever imagined so realistic a death
agony."
The trained eye Of the artist saw
more IN the painting than any OF the
crowd that stood spellbound before H.
There vas an indefatieable something
about It which compelled sensation
Of roverential awe In the breast OF
the average spectator. but the art in
stinct immediately detected the cause.
II represents a tragedy" he said
half aloud as he shifted his position
70 one more favorable for a further
and more critical inspection.
Il was the portrait OF a beautiful
woman IN . seml-recllning pose
against mass OF family outlined
cushions. There was nothing In her
shapely. well-rounded limbs 10 indi-
cate disease. nothing in the surround
lnan to manifest the approach n
death. yet n was apparent. even to a
hSs$ee. that the woman was dying.
fer left arm. IN the dark back
ground. was pressed close along her
body. while the right arm. In the tire
ground, was flung out llstlessly. the
hand clutched tight as II 10 nerse her
self up to the contamination Of some
supreme act which her VII was bent
upon committing
The lower limbs appeared cold In
the pallor Of death, and one could al
most see the dread shadows slowly
creeping up toward The seat Of life.
Masses Of raven hair, tumbling In dis.
order around her head. we're dank
with perspiration. and upon a clammy
brow stood drops Of sweat like clus-
ters Of beads. The lips Of half-open
mouth were colorless and cold. and
through the flm gnfhcring over her
eyes ahone the fiickering brightness
Of soul about 10 leave its mortal
tenement. The gaze Of The eyes was
on the line OF vision and followed
the spectator whichever way be
turned, with 20 pathetic look OF con
cenlrated enfFeaty that more than
one strong man turned away In de.
spalrlng helplessness. and feminine
ayes filled with tears OF sympathy
0verspreadgas hes pailid. death
ahadowed countenance was smile Of
incKabie content. a. pure and joyous
a. that Of . martyr who sees the
heavens opening 70 receive her racked
spirit and relieve her body from earth
ly torture.
Turning mechanically TO his cata'
logue. the artist read; The Death
of venus. r. Metcalf~
Can that Be our little American,
Put Metcalfi" he queried aloud in his
surprise.
~Our little Put and no other" whls
pared friend At his elbow. who add
sdi what DO you now think Of
Amsfic4n eenins. Paul.
= take on my bat 20 Il" replied
Landeile. EuitinE the Aetion 70 tho
words: "but ! Bee = fearful sacrifice
fn its awakening"
''Yoa have interpreted the painting
cofrcctiy.- naid Chavanne. do you
know the storyf"
How can ! when have beer
sketchlng In the land OF the msdnlghl
sun for the past six months1"
Julie coomAns vas tae model who
posed for that painting. Paul" began
chnv1nne you remember hers"
-Ah---i" calculated Landelie. u
noticed something familiar IN the
face. but the features were 30 glori
ned that I could not realize It's iden
tty.~
Shortly after you went away. julie
would not pose for any Of us; the
American was the only one. yor
know. He was particular about hiH
models ny and by he wouldn't have
anybody but Julie. No-there was nc
attachment. Al least on his part Hs
was engaged to a young lady In New
York. it seems, though We did mol
know Il At the time, and he was cold