The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-05-13
The Fair
Unknown

Eugene Merle stood at the head or
the wide stairs and looked after the
speaker without replying His face
was dark, moody, weary; he shrugged
J IS shoulders and turned away with a
rosture more eloquent than words.
It's all very we'll for you to say
n. my fortune friend" he thought.
l. he made his way back to his studio.
Merle was an artist who lived and
: orSed on the fourth floor of large
partment house devoted to profes.
l.onals.
Its easy to say brace up" he NUT
tered as he entered the studio. the
door of which had been left ajar dur
ing his brief absence.
II can't stand it," he said aloud. 81
am in debt, penniless--I have pawned
everything on which l could raise a
cent"
He sprang to his feet and paced the
floor in nervous excitement.
He went to little cabinet and took
out small bottle of dark liquid, eye
ing 1t with CLEAN in his eyes that
suggested incipient madness.
"A few drops of this and all would
be over" he muttered. "All the strug-
gle and disappointment and poverty -
it's the only way to get the best Of
fate. Shall do it?"
Something stayed his hand. Wha,
was it-a spirit from the other world
A slender form in gray draper!es
with q misty veil, cnshroudlng her
hand took the glass from his lips
Merle stood transfiXed.
Who are your" he asked in low
tones.
Your guardian angel" said a sweet,
tremulous voice. You must not do
this thing you contemplate"
My God!" he said, in low tones
81 was going to kill myself! But how
came you here?"
Even then 1t seemed as IL that gray.
clad figure must be supernatural.
you have saved me-" he said, emo.
tionally, II am weak, i'll, but that
moment Of madness is passed. You
believe me?"
He took the bottle from the cabinet
and emptying the contents into the
glass, threw away the entire quantity
Tell me now to whom | owe this
debt Of gratitude" he said. but the
gray-robed figure shook her head.
Remember only my words; keep
courage" she answered, and moved
Yay.
Slowly she moved toward the door.
I'D Merle was too bewildered to do
. ght but stand there and look after
L2- until she disappeared.
AT that instant he caught sight Of a
small. lace-edged handkerchief lying
upon the floor near the chair, and
leaning forward he picked 1t up. In its
folds was bill of small denomination.
A hot flash swept over the artists
face. She had left the money for
him,
He rushed out into the hall, but she
was gone; he came back, picked up his
hat and hurried to the street, but
there was no sign OF the lady in gray.
u might indeed think it was an ap-
partition but for this" he thought clos.
ing his fingers on the bill. This is
substantial enough. Keep up cour.
age she said; WELL I'll try. was a
mad fool to think Of ending my life,
bat God knows everything was against
mel"
He went into the cafe, ate his din
ner. and went out to consult phys.
clan. Then he went to his studio a
changed man.
Two days later letter reached him
from wealthy retired gentleman liv-
ing in the suburbs, and he desired an
interview with the artist
Eugene Merle felt that in some way
the Fair Unknown had something TO
do with the message, and he quickly
observed the summons.
When he saw Mr.. de Monde Eo
found that the old gentleman was d
lover OF art and liberal patron.
Il want portrait of my daughter" "
he said. "You have been recommend.
ed TO me. The sittings will have to
take place here. Will that suit you?'
Merle replied that it would.
Mr.. de Monde sent for his daughter
and, as she entered the room, Eugene
Merle was conscious of strange emo,
ton, a mingling of hope and disap.
pointment that made him at once elat
ed and downcast.
The young lady was slender and
graceful. with large, dark eyes and
lLxuriant black hair.
my daughter Alberta" said the Ole
man, and the artist bent over the
white hand in silence.
Merle began his work the following
day. All the while that he was trans
ferring Alberta de Monde's high-bred
brunette beauty to canvass, his hear
and mind were full Of conflicting emo
tions.
How stupid l ami" he thought ons
day. 1T is not likely that she ha.
ausht to do with the Fair Unknown
Ny fancy traces resemblance-tha