The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-08-21
AN IDOL OF STONE.


Thurioe the artist Lorenzo offered up
an almost fanatical worship 10 the idol
he had fashioned by the cunning or his
hands The idol OF marble was set up
In Lorenzo Thompson's studio. and al
most jealousy he issued invitations for
private view before It's dispatch 10
the academy.
OF one thing Lorenzo was feyerishly
determined. upon one point Thompson
was sternly set-Slbyl must pledge her
word TO come into his life when the
idol passed ont from H.
The small Chelsea studio was
thronged with an unusually enthusi-
astic gathering
The idol luuked drenmlly down upon
them all. upon the man who had done
everything but breathe the breath OF
life upon the girI whose image It bore
and who. living and moving, yet riyaled
II IA GOODNESS aud lack OF feeling: upon
the polite congratulatory crowd. upon
the painful little scene enacted ut It's
very feet.
For there. close TO his handiwork.
when twilight had fallen and the room
was practically empty. Lorenzo Thomp-
son laid the heart God had given him
and the fame Sibyl had helped him 70
win as offerings meet for the girls
acceptance.
But she smiled. frowned and held up
her hand TO silence him. Then, with a
petulant movement. she turned away.
Lorenzo caught her hand and with
fierce persistence forced her 10 face
him. his long pentup love carrying
away all barriers OF reserve. Whether
for good or evil. for veal or woe, he
must speak now and be answered.
Sibyl pouted becomingly and found
the Interview tiresome.
"You were like brother 10 me-" she
assured him artlessly. did not often
tell you SO? never cared for you, ex-
cept, of course. with an entirely sis
terly affection. but Mr.. Baxter is In
candles. you know. Trade Is every
thing nowadays, is 1t not? And he says
he will give you your own price for
the marble. We are 10 be married be-
fore the end OF the summer"
Pray accept my congratulations
said Thompson smoothly as he stood
away from her, with low bow, 10 let
stout dowager pass and inspect his
work. MY thanks TO Mr.. Baxter, but
you-she is not for sale"
The familiar studio became a very
hell TO Lorenzo's maddened fancy as
he battled with his tempter and looked
with burning eyes upon his idol-the
idol that they would wish to buy from
him with their accursed gold.
Thompson courteously babe his
friends goodby. standing on the thresh-
old OF his studio aud holding aside the
quaint old tapestry hahgings.
He closed the door. dropped the cur
tains into their place and was az last
alone-alone but for the idol who
looked down upon him with uufathom-
able eyes.
lie crossed the room and stood star
Ing down from the window into the
dreary Chelsea street.
Lorenzo saw nothing OF what Thomp-
son saw. There was no studio to shut
him In from the outer world. no Lon
don to hem him about By her black
river and miles OF busy thoroughfares.
He was watching girl who leaned
In studied attitude OF grace against
an old sea wall. her gray eyes gazing
far away 10 where the dim sky line
came softly down IN mist TO meet the
sea. He thrilled M the tender encour-
ngement OF her voice. made doubly
musical by the rhythmica lap.lap OF
the bay waves
This present vision was all Lorenzo
believed I'm. II az least was real All
the rest was some trickery OF HIS over
wrought brain
Thompson turned back into the room
with a quick sigh realizing that the
past with an It's sweetness was dead.
And then at last Lorenzo awakened.
With a harsh theatrical laugh he
stopped and picked up his chisel aud
mallet from where. with bohemian
carelessness he had left them at his
IDOLS feet. He looked up into the
eyes that could not see or pity. the
eyes that only spoke 10 him now OF a
heart that could not feel.
His idol. The very personlncation OF
his ideal. His angel who had existed
solely In his imagination
The lovely. graceful figure that was
to win him name. fame and fortune.
The beloved creation OF his hand.
brain and heart OF his very life's love.
II was Lorenzo who vowed. with an
evil little oath. that he would not pan
der 20 selfish womans heartless
vanity, Lorenzo's ruthless hand that
savagely demolished his idol OF art aud
oye. Lorenzos unbrldled passion that
swept aside all chance OF imme-
late fame FOR the base. momentary de-
light Of wholly petty revenge.
Chlsel and mailet A strong arm
With temporary madness 20 aid IT, and |
Lorenzo had laid his own heart and |
slbyPs pride Ia the dust
Thompson lung away the tools and !
ooked with duh. bewlldered eyes on 1
U hat oraUyo haN Hnp,