Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-17

keep out-the wind" Pierre paused before the words,
the wind" chuckied in his throat curious, gut
tural chuckle Busy he worked hooking the tapestry
to the brass rod.
A Christmas dinner. Marsac. We may be hungry.
Hunger comes to US all
Not before one, monsieur. Then go
may want you longer"
Very we'll 1 own master-my own master.
All who cared for poor Marsac are asleep in the
No ties to life, Marsac?"
None, monsieur. If never returned none would
mark It,"
If you never returned?"
Sometimes dread that. If l were to die in the
street. grow more feeble every day and who knows?
be knocked down day. They would take me to
the there would be to claim me"
No onel That is good
Good, monsieur
go out and leave no regrets behind"
You are young only the young speak lightly of
death The nearer he grows the more. dread him
Shall | sit now, MONSIEUR"
Again You hungry?"
4 had my breakfast but 1t is little l need
keep alive this old body"
You may be hungry presently
Not until out"
You may even before that who knows, Marsac?"
Pierre went quickly to a side table and lit candles.
Then he passed the heavy candelabra the
the room and lit all the shining wax candles there
They made brave struggle with the garish daylight
The old man watched him with the apathy of
1t is strange, monsieur this lighting of candles. The
light is good"
A within of mine Marsac | would paint by arti-
fetal light answered Pierre Then, with the strange,
the blinds, shutting out the light Of day.
1t is hard to believe that YOU will daylight
again, Marsac,' he said, chuckling
The old man laughed too, thin cackle He did
not understand but his patron pleased merry
Yet assuredly | shall when l go out"
"Perhaps-who knows? Come let us set out the
food in proper fashion"
old and Pierre arranged the food with
care ON a damask napkin. Pierre particular in
the setting out and through all his labor stared
peatedly at the eyes.
There is little to finish, monsieur, in the picture"
Little-only the face, Marsac. l have painted it
out again. but now think shall get it right"
And the eyes monsieur"
=" And the eyes yes, the eyes"
Il am glad monsieur
Are you?"
The old man stepped up painfully the model
throne
A little farther back Marsac. nearer the wall
Pierre went up to the old and put him under
the iron staples. Reside him the coil rope.
You can see the little feast well here, Mar
sac?"
Indeed, yes. All. monsieur, in hour it will make
me hungry"
And in day two days, three days-what then?'
Monsieur, do not understand"
All, no-not yet; but you wn."
Pierre stopped and fingered the coil of rome making
slip knot with hurried hands then with pantherlike
spring, he leaped upon the old bound him
securely. Marsac was so asonished that he made
little resistance Pierre fastened the ends of the rome
the stout staples.
Monsieur monsieur what You doing?" the old
man cried I'm alarm. These ropes hurt me-"
f" Old idiot don't you see-dont you see? 1 must
paint those eyes. II is for my picture a day two
days three days, they will have light I want You
will see the food always and Shout scream
cry-those hangings will mufIe your voice as well as a
gag No one cares for you, will miss you You
giving your life 10 Art"
ON christmas day ten days later Edwards. the
Englishman and two other artists came 10 Pierre's
studio. The door was locked but Edwards had a KEY
Some months before he had occupied studio while
Pierre away; now he wanted toreador cloak
Ia ba1 bDh NTH
opened the door, and the three entered The can
dies burning and before the easel seated in an
attitude of alteration, Pierre on the throne a
starved figure hung huddled forward held up by ropes
to iron staples. II was Old Marsac, quite dead.
Mercful heavens" cried Edwards. lie turned
swiftly and touched the crouching figure. Pierre!
ne said.
1t is hnished ! found the eyes" Pierre said
They are wondcrfu-they real' Then he burst
into laughter the weird, purposeless laughter of
maniac
On the easel was the pictured face of starv.
ing, with feast spread before him. That all Ed
wards saW-the starved face and the eyes. And the
with their desire, terrible