The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-06

the city was instituted. But all to no avail Friends came to offer coincidence to Alfretti: among them. Margolius.
 But after this. for long days and nights, Margolius was not seen among his friends. Servants of the house m which he resided gave 1t out that the artist was engaged upon a great pic ture and was not to be disturbed under any circumstances.
 The search for the missing Countess was continued assiduously. and was extended to other cities. Every piausi- ble suggestion was acted upon. but all resulted fruitlessiy--not clew had, been found by which to trace her the first step beyond the house. Alfretu sat at home. receiving news of the search which came to him from ah parts of the city at every hour in the day. And to him. as the days passed by. the agony of suspense grew more terrible.
 In the meantime Margoiius was paint ing the Sleeping Naiad. With nerves strung to the highest pitch. and almost without eating or sleeping, he worked like some demon that was striving against Time for the possession of the world. His eyes burned. a supernatur- al power moved his hand and there was unprecedented accuracy in the very madness of his stroke.
 At last 1t was finished; and long. dsep-drawn sigh escaped the throat of the artist, as his practiced eye followed the details in search of some slight imperfection and found none. How long had it been? How many hours? How many days? He had kept no record of time. Nothing had come up to him from the streets of London since the first news of the disappearance of the Coun- tess. In reality almost week had passed The Countess had been given up as dead and Alfretti was plunged into the depth of grief, while his friends and the friends of the Countess were wrapped in gloom out of sympathy and sorrow.
 But on the evening of the fifth day. just after nightfall, a figure crept into the house of -Alfretti and threw itself into the Counts arms. The Countess had returned. and new life surged through Alfretti's veins. The beautiful woman had wrapped large shawl around her head and shoulders, and
 she was still dazzed for some moments after her return to her husbands arms.
 "oh. tell me what has happened?" she exclaimed. T found myself in the | street. alone. and in the darkness-- the street lights were so dim. And you-you started Tor Florence tnls afternoon. But you did not go?" Alfretti knew by these last words that her mind was a blank since the | time of her disappearance. She had | been the victim of some mental aber-
 ration and had been 'wandering-God
 knew where. Quickly he fabricated | some story explaining everything, and | set her mind at rest. Then he secretly | instructed the servants and requested l all her friends to refrain from mention ing the strange disappearance in her presence.
 | When the Sleeping Naiad of Mar golius was hung, critical London paus- | ed in wonder-struck admiration. Great
 crowds gathered about the canvas and
 gazed. and the story of its greatness l passed from tongue to tongue. | One day, at an early hour. before the salon had received its daily crush of
 visitors. Margolius paused before his own picture Hearing a footstep behind
 him he turned and saw Alfretti ap-
 preaching.
 Tt is my first view" said the lat
 ter. turning his eyes towards the paint | ing.
 The 6ext instant an intense white | ness settled upon the Counts face, his | lips quivered and a labored breath
 surged up from his breast. His eyes
 sought those of Margolius, and the
 hypnotic fire that leaped to meet his
 gazed told the story of the Countess. | trance.