Evening journal., 1905-05-11
THE TERROR
lorlgInal1

lOriginai.l
Russell Thurston was q genius. Now,
there are nine chances in ten that a
genius viii be eccentric. Thurston
was very eccentric. He built a house
at least a quarter Of a mile from any
other house, with only one door, which
he Kept always locked lie 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 80
to the window, from whence he could
look down and learn who wanted to.
zee him. If the caller was a 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 u
piano Thurston would hoist the box
by rope ana 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 q
bagg
fhere was a girl in the neighborhood
who from the number of her con-
quests had gained the sObriquet Of
"the Terror" Perhaps It is as well to
refer to her solely by this name, since
she IS now a quiet married woman
ana the mother Of children. The Ter
ror, having thought down every other
man of her acquaintance, found it
impossible to bag Thurston simply he
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
bis knees within sixty days
Soon after this there was a ring at
Thurstons bell, and, looking out Of
the window, he saw the Terror with a
companion standing below
I'VE would like to see some Of your
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 I'm the
box. He pulled il up and. recognizing
1t as 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.
/ He sat down Mt his easel but the abb
sorption in his work necessary to its
perfection had gone out Of him. lie
was the more alarmed because there
was something in the face, the manner
/ the voice of the woman that made him
feel very queer II he should become
, enthralled what would become of him
as an artist? He had no faith in a
man loving woman and his art at
the same time He went to bed that
night to dream that the Terror in the
person Of a 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 Will
a woinah friend
"What do you want?" he asked.
Il want you to paint my portrait"
"Not i'm 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
or done before. Making a solemn res
olution not 20 speak one word to hel
should she call again, he tried TO work
but soon threw down his brushes tC
smoke. He was terror stricken at find
ing himself saying mentally:
II hope she will"
The Terror did call again, but the
moment Thurston recognized her b,
slammed the window. He was mucl
pleased at the strength Of his resolu
ton
One afternoon he called at his gro
GERS and gave an order On looking III
he saw the Terror i'm the back of tn,
store. lie slipped out congratulatinl
himself that she had not seen him.
The next morning there was a RIM
at the bell and the butcher sent up
becfsteak. Then the grocer's wagol
drove mp to the house. the elevatin
box was loaded. and Thurston began t
pull. He had ordered a number o
packages. including several cases o
wine. Nevertheless the load SCENE
heavy lie had no sooner got it t
the window than two girls sprang int
his room. One Of them was the Tel
ror.
There was a ring Of laughter such a
had never been heard in that studl
before, though it came from the Tel
J ror's companion. The Terror hersel
had no sooner effected an entranc
than she seemed TO repent her act
Pardon two foolish girls" she sail
"who have heard so much of your stl
dio and your mcompromising attitud
TO women that we couldn't help wan
ing 70 be the only girls TO enter it. A
we ask is TO be allowed for a few mil
! utes TO look at your pictures, and
you will not permit that we viii go I
once"
pbrrcfor 1oo1-aI ot fho Girl who pnl