The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-07-22

Il his friend in amaZement, for Albert'a
eyes were like thin glasses through which
his thoughts could be seen like pictures
in book. Instead of feeling the sincere
affection which he protested, the hor-
rified sculptor read his true thoughts,
which, put in words, were: "Compan-
ion of my youth, l loathe you for all
the good deeds you have done. You are
perfect type of manly beauty while
am monster Of ugliness; you are rich,
am poor; you are blessed with health,
am wreck; you love me, while hate
you-yes, hate you for your kindness
and the humiliation have suffered. De-
spite my hatred, however, am forced
to play the hypocrite. l must be espe-
cially amiable this day above all. be-
cause | intend to borrow a thousand
francs from you"
But the revelation did not end here
Prince Fortunate, with the aid Of the
glasses of truth, further learned that
from the time they had played marbles
| together, Albert had envied and hated
him. He felt himself growing dizzy-it
was like a beautiful edifice crumblins
60 away, false friend" shrieked he,
at last, you have permitted a spirit OF
mean jealou to destroy a noble friend
ship" And without more ado. he thrust
his comrade out of the studio. and when
Albert looked back beseechingly he
slammed the door in his face.
Later in the evening. when the dusky
| oh ~ nj In a
into the studio, Prince Fortunate, lost
in dreams, was Joined by his beautiful
wife. She kissed him tenderly, sat by
his side, and, as usual, talked Of the
numerous nothings that filled her days
She had been to a bargain sale at tn,
Louvre; II had rained a little at abou
three O'Clock; 1t was said that the new
drama at the Gymnase was very inter
esting. And then, in a careless manner
she ventured: "Oh, by the way, me
the captain. He will dine with us thiI
evening"" Pretending to be bored, sh'
added: Annoying, isn't it, dear?
can't abide the fop, he's so conceited.
servant softly entered and lighte,
the lamps. Prince Fortunate, who, IL
the darkness of his studio, had almos
forgotten his magic glasses. raised hi
head and met his wife's eyes, whicl
seemed. at that moment, to be contem
plating a charming souvenir. This i
what was really disclosed to him: II
an elegantly furnished apartment IL
one of the leading hotels Of the cit.
he observed two lovers wrapped il
each others arms. Prince Fortunat
smothered a cry of pain, for in tn
picture he recognized his wife and tn
captain.
AT first he was loath to believe tn
awful revelation. These glasses lie,
he thought. This cannot be possible
Then he looked fixedly at his wife
whose glance fell under his gaze He
eyes shone with an unnatural bril-
liancy, she was i'll at ease, nervou:
and when she hastily left the room h
was convinced that the glasses ha
told the truth; that her thoughts wer
not with him. but with the captain
whom he had believed to be an ad
, mirer Of his work instead of hi
wife.
The sculptor was overwhelmed. Bow
, ing his head, he exclaimed: "Oh
Truth. thou has taken from me all tha
made my life complete and happy!"
III Mechanically he turned toward hi
unfinished work. the Nymph and tn
Satyr. Here lies my only consols
I tion," he murmured. gratefully. "Nott
ing can rob me of the Joy Of being a
artist, Of being able to create the beau
. tiful."
d But upon approaching his work h
was surprised to hear the statues cor
a versing.
why am / so homely?" moaned tn
j. Nymph. 81. who should be so beal
tiful and sylph-like. Look at my dii
. torted form and the imperfection {
6 my lines"
"Yes. 1t is sad to be chiseled by a
Y ignorant and unskilled artist" syn
q pathized the Satyr. Would that ha
been born in the great Robins studi
s instead Of being brought to light I
4 this miserable amateur"
n At last the sculptor's spirit W,
e broken. How great was my folly
e put these glasses on my eyesi"
e cried. 81 will shatter them In a thol
sand pieces"
FL Vainly he tried to remove them; tn,
y were fast to his eyes. Then he realize
III that forever and ever he was de
tined to see life in it's true aspect; TIL
one may rid himself of Falsehood, b
Is not Of Truth. for she is pitiless ar
a will ever cling.
lel After that day, so the story goe
vi the sculptor no longer considered hin
D self Fortunes favorite. On the CO.
trary, he was the most unhappy
s. mortals. with but a single ray of hol
-e left him-the return of the stranl
peddler with his varied assortment
II yellow. green. blue and pink glasss
~ for any of which he was now willing
exchange the gray and somber on
,e that reflected only the painful truth.
10 Adapted from the French OF Mauri
,e Magre. by Jeanette Brule, in 81
Francisco Argonaut.
r Born Without Eyes.