The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-03-12
A TRAGIC LEGEND OF THE LIT.
TIE TOWN OF BORT.
(From the Germany

each other. One was the house of
the aged Hermann Dusseldorf and
his gentle daughter, Bertha.
The neighboring dwelling was &C.
cupied by Jacques Lambert, a
painter. He was an Italian by birth,
ever retiring in his manner, max
ing few friends, and seemingly car
ing for none. His only companion
was poor, half witted lad, Pau.
Laroni, whom he employed as a
servant.
No one knew anything of their
previous history, unless it might be
daughter. For, strange to say.
Hermann Dusseldorf and his lovely
Bertha Dusseldorf, the belle OF the
whole village, who had seen barons
at her feet, loved the dark, stern
man better than all her other suit
ors, and was his affianced bride,
while he in turn worshiped her.
Many times in the day did her
presence brighten his studio and
her light form linger beside him,
watching his skillful fingers as the
beauteous creations grew beneath
them.
| A great exhibition was to be held
at the neighboring city of Antwerp,
where he that produced the finest
representation of the Death and
Sufferings of Our Savior" to be
| placed in the cathedral, should re-
ceive a prize of great value.
Jacques Lambert determined to
win the prize. Closely he applied
| himself to the task; late into the
| night his lamp was seen burning in
the window of his studio.
But as day by day passed, each
one bringing nearer the exhibition,
he became almost despairing; for
as yet he had been unable to create
on canvas any countenance he
deemed a worthy likeness of our
Savior. He grew pale and haggard,
adm in vain poor Bertha strove to
win him from his project. One day
as she stood by his side looking
down at Paul, as he sat gazing up
to her face with his beautiful eyes,
his long golden curls falling on each
side of face of almost womanly
sweetness and perfect innocence,
she suddenly exclaimed: "Take
Paul for a model"
Quickly jacques glanced at the
face of the unfortunate and ex-
claimed: "Why did not think of
that MYSELF"
"And | must send you from me,
cara mia" he murmured softly.
"Your sweet eyes come between
me and my work"
She pressed her soft lips to his
forehead, and quietly stole away.
After that he came in every day
for a moment to see her, but al
ways babe her not to come to him
until his picture was finished; for
nothing now must disturb him from
his work.
He daily grew pale and thin and
his dark eyes burned with
strange fire. His altered appear
| ance was noted by the villagers,
and, coupled with his TRANCE ac-
tions, led them, with their usual
superstitious fears, to the belief
| that he held communion with evil
spirits. All avoided him as much
| as possible, and one more holder
than the others confirmed their sus-
picions by alleging that one night,
crouching under the window, led by
curiosity, he heard cries and groans
issue from within. Terrified almost
out of his senses, he hurried away
as fast as his limbs could carry
him, and, after that, on no consid.
GRAFTON would go near the place
again.
Poor Paul Laroni was missing.
too; and Jacques, fearing he might
have wandered away in the forest
and lost his path, offered a liberal
reward for any one who could
bring him back He himself could
not lose the time from his picture
to join in the search, but a party,
headed by Hermann Dusseldorf,
secured the adjacent river, but
found no trace, save one of the
boys silk handkerchiefs, which had
been found near the river bank.
Bertha, In her anxiety for her
lover, watched his studio window
hour by hour.