The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-06
THE SLEEPING NAIAD.
(Copyright. 1905. by Daily Story Pub.
 Company.)
BY CHAS. s. REID

Company.)
 The conception was perfect. but where throughout all Europe was to be found the model? In his thoughts. Margolius carefully went over the list of models that he knew. One or two came nearly to the standard he had set for this piece, but not quite. He travelled visiting the principal cities of France Italy and Germany; then returned to London. still the model of his conception had not been found. Once more he sought throughout London. but without sue cess. From those who might have been hired for money. Margolius turned to those in the higher walks of life There was a subtle power he had always held in reserve for some situation In which evory other expedient had failed. Should that power now be resorted to? 'Margolius sat one night in a box at Her Majesty's Theatre and surveyed the audience with his eyes, from pit to roof and back again. Several times his gaze had fingered on some especial Iy beautiful woman to study minutely the nature of her charm, only to be withdrawn at last unsatisfied The boxes had been left inviolated-for there sat the nobility. But when the vast audience from the pit to the roof had been passed in review and found to yield not the thing sought for. the vision of the artist began boldly to sweep the boxes. One after another these glided under the gaze. until an occupant of one of them arrested the attention of Margolius with an cleo tric-like suddenness. The Countess Alfretti who, with her husband, was residing in London for the season. sat in a box opposite that which was occu- pied by the artist; ana hers were tho face and form that had made such a student appeal to his sense of perfec- tion. The model he had sought was be- fore him--but she was the Countess AL fretti. However. smile or triumph stole over the features of Margolius and he determined that the Countess should serve him.
 It was no hard matter for Margolius to find the opportunity which he now coveted. Such was the power of his eyes. that he knew he had but to meet her gaze but once, when further pro- gress would be easy. The boldness of the undertaking did not now trouble the artist one moment-he had thought only for its accomplishments and for the success of the picture.
 The fame of Margolius gave him en- tre to the best society of London. and 1t was not long before he met the Countess Alfretti and made the trial of his subtle power. She yielded quickly none had ever withstood 1t. He found that he swayed her as the breeze might sway some tender flower. In IIs pres ence she moved as in a dream. but there was an ecstaoy in it that was like the stimulus of old wine to her.
 One day, as the Countess was driving past the studio of Margolius. she ! chanced to glance upward at an open window. The artist was sitting there and their eyes met. Instantly the fn ha that the man had gained over her. Margolius had invited her to visit his studio; but, though she had promised him to do so, when out of his presence she shuddered at the though of full filling this promise. Out of his presence. she feared the artist; in his presence. strange unaccountable. dreamy kind of happiness possessed her.
 On this occasion. when their eyes met. she decended immediately from her carriage and entered the building. Margolius met her below and conducted her through each department Of his rooms with all the affability of manner of which he was capable, and finally escorted her out again, with a profusion in his parting words He followed her a moment with his eyes. then turned back into the house. with an expression of deep satisfaction expressed in his face.
 Margolius waited patiently a few days. But at last, one afternoon, late. he passed the house which was occu- pied by Alfretti and his wife. The Countess was standing over some pot flowers near the street. Margolius spoke her name, and she turned quickly towards him. The strange power of his eyes at once compelled her, and she became the automaton of his will. But he hardly stayed his footsteps and continued his way almost immediately.
 Countess Alfretti was left dreaming; in an hour, when 1t became quite dark, some mysterious voice commanded her to steal from the house and go to the studio of Margolius. She crept away. and SO stealthy had she been in all her movements s$S| none saw her.
 When 1t Was discovered that the Countess Alfretti had disappeared. Q great cry was raised and all London was aroused. Alfretti who had just gone to Florence on some business. was summoned home again. but he did not reach London until the afternoon following the Countess disappearance. Every department of the police regula. lions was notified. and careful search