Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-13
DAILY SHORT STORY
lOriginaL.1
THE TERROR.

HI least VI INIT AAOAAA dAS
other house, with only tone door, which
he kept always locked He lived alone
on the upper floor. where he painted
his wonderful works .Of art The bell
connecting with the door was in his
room, and when il rang he would go
to the window. from whence he could
look down and learn who wanted to
see him. If the caller was man and
came on business, Thurston would
open the door by electricity. When
goods were delivered they were placed
in a box large enough to hold a
piano. ThurstOn would hoist the box
by a rope and pulley and take it in at
the window. If a woman called, the
artist would simply say Busy" and
down would go the window with a
bang.
There was girl in the ,neighborhood
who from the number of her con-
quests Sad gained the sobriquet of
the Terror" Perhaps it is as well to
refer TO her solely by this name, since
she is now Il quiet married woman
and the mother of children The Ter
ror, having brOught down every other
man of her acquaintance, found it
impossible to bag Thurston simply be-
cause she couldn't get at him. But
on being twitted upon there being one
man independent of her she made a
bet that she would bring Thurston to
his knees within sixty days.
Soon after this there was a ring at
Thurston's bell, and, looking out of
the window, he saw the Terror with a
companion standing below.
pictures" said the Terror. with her
sweetest smile
Busy" replied Thurston and slam
med down the sash.
The next day two men called, saying
that they had an order on him from
the superintendent of buildings to per-
nit them to inspect the house. Thur
stOn told them to put the order in the
box. He pulled IL up and, recognizing
1t as Il forgery, lowered it with the
usual remark. Busy The men went
away, one of them throwing off an
ulster and revealing a woman'S attire.
The Terror waved an adieu to him.
ThurstOn after this attempt by the
same woman began to fear for his
safety. Such persistence was unusual
sorptiOn in his work necessary TO its
perfection had gone out of him. He
was the more alarmed because there
was something in the face. the manner,
the voice of the woman that made him
feel very queer. If he should become
enthralled what would become of him
as an artiSt2 He had no faith in a
man loving q woman and his art at
the same time. He went to bed that
night to dream that the Terror in the
person of witch on a broomStick rode
past his window.
A week after this the bell rang one
day, and on putting his head out of his
window he saw the Terror below with
woman friend.
What do you want?" he asked.
Il want you to paint my portrait"
Not in my line"
The window went down, and Thur
Ston went back to his easel. He was
thoroughly frightened. He had entered
into conversation with a woman seek
Ing admittance, something he had new
er done before. Making solemn res
olution not to speak one word to her
should she call again, he tried to work.
but soon threw down his brushes to
smoke. He was terror stricken at find
ing himself saying mentally:
Il hope she will
The Terror did call again, but the
moment Thurston recognized her he
slammed the window. He was much
pleased at the strength of his resolu-
ton.
one afternoon he called at his gro
COPS and n IN f,o
he saw the Terror in the back of the
store He slipped out. congratulating
himself that she had not seen him.
The next morning there was a ring
at the bell, and the butcher sent UP n
beefsteak. Then the grocer's wagon
drove mp to the house, the elevating
box was loaded, and Thurston began to
pull He had ordered a number of
packages, including several cases Of
wine. Nevertheless the load seemed
heavy He had no sooner got it to
the window than two girls sprang into
his room. One Of them was the Ter
ror.
There was a ring Of laughter such as
had never been heard in that studio
before. though it came from the Ter
rOr's companion. The Terror herself
had no sooner effected an entrance
than she seemed to repent her act.
Pardon two foolish girls" she said.
who have heard so much Of your stu
do and your uncomprOmising attitude
to women that we couldn't help want
ing TO be the only girls to enter it, All
we ask is to be allowed for a few min
utes to look at your pictures, and II
you will not permit that we will go at
once"
Thursten looked at the girl who con-
frOnted him with a wee bit Of shame, q
scarcely perceptible blush. trace of
assurance that was fast dying out. a
concealed mirth and a great deal OF
reverence, which she really felt for the
famous artist He saw all these and
knew he was beaten. He took his Wis
itors to his different finished and IN
finished works, explained his objects
In them and asked a bit OF information