The San Francisco call., 1906-08-19

he found himself in The Chsrubs
room"
1t was a large and lefty apartment.
paneled with oak darkened by time and
carved with fruit and flowers and TO
liags after the mode of Grinling Glib
bons. Between the panels there was 9
beautifully carven cherub's head, with
curly hair and wings placed erosswiss
under the chin. The meonlisht stream
ing in through the wide and uncyr-
tained windows showed all these
things clearly 10 the wild eyes OF the
old man, and he made haste 70 fplniI
his task before the moon should set
and leave him in darkness. Swinging
the lantern so that It's yellow light
counted the cherubs' heads between
the panels. starting from the door.
and was rewarded by dnding the one
he sought. The left eve of this face
was pierced, and Into II he inserted
the slender copper stem OF the key.
There was cracking sound as he
turned II, and then the whole or the
panel swung outward to the left.
On the back OF this he beheld the
picture OF Andrea del Castagno. The
sight of IL was so unexpected that
he started back with a cry and let
fall the lantern, which was immedi-
atsly extinguishsd. However. this mat
the rays OF the summer moon. In the
white radiance he relighted bis can
die, and then. betwixt the yellow glare
OF the one and the chill glimmer OF
the other, he examined the gem Of art
which, In the interest OF mistaken
pride. he proposed to destroy. It was
beautiful beyond description.
Under . lowly roof OF thatched straw
lay the Divine Child. stretching I'D
his little hands to the Holy Mother
with arms crossed upon her breast In
him worshiping. and In the dim OBJ
scufity Of the humble DWELLING could
be seen the tall fern and reverend
head Of Joseph. Above spread the
dark blue OF the night sky, broken by
golden dashss of color. IN which were
seen the majestic forms % wide
the top Of the picture there was blaze
OF light radiating from the Goahead,
and In the arFewy beam streaming
downward Seated the white spscter et
the holy dove. The marvellous beauty
OF the picture lay In the Dispersion
that mild iustsr which smanatsd from
the form Of the Child. the auYsels how
ering round the bowed head OF Mary;
the glory Of the golden atmosphere
surrounding the angels. and. higheyt
and most vondsfful cf all, the Asrcs
~.
binding the terrible. from the unseen
Deity, The picture was majestic. sub
lime; dream OF lovely piety, q mas-
tarpiece OF art.
For the moment Parsons was spsii-
bound before this wonderful ereation
which he INTENDED TO destroy. Almost
he was tempted to forsgo his evil pur-
pose. and to spare the beautiful vision
which spread itself so gloriously before
him. But the thought OF Marion and
her scorn. of Frank and his hopeless
love. decided him. With a look OF ha-
tired he opened the knife and raised the
blade 70 slash the picture.
"stopw
With cry Parsons dropped the knife
and wheeled round at that imperIous
command. At the further end Of the
room, candle In hand. stood the tall
form OF a woman She wore a dress
ing-sown hastily thrown over her
shoulders; her hair was loose. her feet
were bare, and she approached the
steward noselessly and swiftly. II vas
Marion Danetree. and her eyes were full
OF anger.
What are you doing here at this time
OF night?' she demanded haughtily OF
the noise OF fall. and came down"
Il want TO spoil that picture" said
Parsons between his teeth
Destroy Castagno's Nativity'f Taxa
away my only chance Of restoring the
family fortune? You are mad
No: am Franks father. Ycu de-
spise him; you hate him. Through him
you have found the picture. but now"
He picked up the knife again.
wait q momentr said Marion. oora-
pretending Parsons motive: 80 you d.
stroy that picture. you prevent Hay
marriage with Frank"
Wharf.-The knife crashed on tha
ioor-"are you going to marry my
boy?"
yes. Did not Frank tell your wAsa
we discovered the picture together thts
afternoon he asked me TO be his wife. !
consented only too gladly"
Butt thought you despassd hing"
"Desplse him? love hirn better than
all the world Go away. Mr.. Parsoak.
and thank God that he sent nae 20 pre-
vent you committing . crime. shall
bring that picture GO Frank as my
dowry. He shall take my name, and
there will once more be Squire Dane
tree at the Hall
"oh, Miss Observation-Disclosures
me% cried Parsons. Quits broken down.
'T forgive you. II was love for Frark
made you think OF this folly. But TO-
sol It 10 not seeraly that you should be
here at this hour Of the night"
Parsons closed up the panel IN gtisaea.
locked It. and turned to 80; but aa hs
passed her he held out his hand.
what II thisT' asked Marion. srnn-
ing.
NY xift TO you-my marriage gife--
the copper key which has brought yoa
q husband and q fortune"
Next week.-Mrs. sixth custa@er saa
the Teapot