Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-06-17
THE TERROR
IOrfGinal.l

tOEISI1fdl.J
Russell Thurston was a genius. Now,
there are nine chances in ten that
genius. win be eccentric Thurston
was very eccentric He built house
at least quarter of mile from any
other house, with only one 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 it 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 box large enough to hold
piano. Thurston would hoist the box
by rope and pulley and take it in at
the window. If woman called, the
artist would simply say Busy" and
down would go the window with a
bang.
There was a girl in the nefghborhood
who from the number of her con-
quests had gained the sobriquet of
1.-The Terror" Perhaps It is as well to
refer to her solely by this name, since
she is now a 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
companion standing below.
I'VE would like to see some of your
pictures" said the Terror, with her
sweetest smile.
BUSY" replied Thurston and SIAM
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-
init them to inspect the house. Thur
stnn told them to put the order in the
box. He pulled it up and, recognizing
It as forgery, lowered 1t with the
usual remark, BUSY" The men went
away, one Of them throwing off an
ulster and revealing woman's attire.
The Terror waved an adieu to him..
Thurstm after this attempt by the
same woman began to fear for bis
safety. Such persistence was UNUSUAL
he sat down at hts easel but the alb
sorpftm In hts work necessary to It's
perfection had gone out Of him. He
was the more alarmed because there
YVES something In the face, the manner,
the voice Of the woman that made him
feel very queer. II he should become
eutfrRlled what would become Of him
as an artist? He had no faith In
man lOving woman and his art at
the same time. He went to bed that
might to dream that the Terror in the
|. person Of a witch ON brOonsttck rode
past lis window.
| A week after this the bell rang one
day, and On putting his bead out Of his
q woman friend.
| What do you want 2" he asked.
II want you to paint my portrait"
mot in my line"
The window went down, and Thur
stn went back to his easel. He was
Thoroughly frightened He had entered
into conversation with woman seek
ing admfttance, something he had new
er done hefar Making q solemn res
! olutinD 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 fnd-
ing himself saying mentally:
II hope she will
The Terror did call again, but the
| moment Thurstnn recognized her he
| Slammed the window. He was much
| pleased at the strength Of his resoau-
ton.
| One afternoon he called at his gro
GERS and gave an order. On looking up
be saw the Terror in the back Of the
sbue. He slipped out, congratulating
himself that she had not seen him.
The next morning there was ring
at the bell, and the butcher sent up
beefsteak. Then the grpcer's wagon
drove up to the house, the elevating
box was loaded, and Innrston 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 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 few min
utes to Look at your pictures, and if
/ YOU will not permit that we will 90 at