The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1909-09-17
AN IDOL Of STONE.

Like Pygmalion OF old. Lorenzo
Thompson became insanely enamored
Of his Galatea. Where the man Thomp-
SON rendered dogged devotion to Sibyl
Thurioe the artist Lorenzo offered up
an almost fanatical worship to the idol
he had fashioned by the cunning OF his
hands. The idol of marble was set up
10 Lorenzo ThompsOD's studio. and al
most jealously he issued invitations for
q private view before it's dispatch to
the academy.
or one thing Lorenzo was feverishly
determined. upon one point Thompson
was stprnly set Sibyl must pledge her
word to come into his life when the
idol passed out from it,
The small Chelsea studio was
thronged with an unusually enthusi-
astit KAT herring.
The idol looked dreamily down upon
them all. upon the man who had done
evervt hing but breathe the breath OF
life upon the girl whose image 1t bore
and who. living and moving, yet rivaled
II IN GOODNESS and lack Of feeling: upon
the polite congratulatory crowd. upon
the painful little. scene enacted at its
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 to
win as offerings meet for the girls
acceptance.
But she smiled. frowned and held up
her hand to silence him. Then. with
petulant movement. she turned away.
Lorenzo caught her hand and with
fierce persistence forced her to 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 pOutpd betomingly and found
the interview tiresome.
you were like brother to me-" she
assured him artlessly. did not often
tell you so: I never cared for you. ex-
cept. Of course. with an entirely sis
,erly affection. but MIR. Baxter is In
candles. you know. Trade is every
thing nowadays. Ia Il not! Aud he says
he will give you your own price for
the marble. We are to 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. to let
4 stout dOwager pass and inspect bis
work. MY thanks to Mr.. Baxter. but
yOu--she is not for sale"
The familiar studio became a very
iell 10 lorenzo's maddened fancy as
- battled with his templer aud looked
with burning eyes upon his idol-the
dol that they would wish to buy from
aim with their accursed gold.
Thompson courteously babe his
friends goolby. standing ON the thresh-
old Of his studio ana holding aside the
quaint old tapestry hangings.
He closed the door. dropped the cur
a!ns into their place and was at last
aione-alone but for the idol who
looked down upon him with unfathom-
able eyes.
He 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 a girl who leaned
III studied attitude of grace against
an old sea wall. her gray eyes gazing
far away TO where the dim sky line
anne softly down Ia mist to meet the
sea. He thrilled at the tender encour-
igement Of her voice. made doubly
musical by the rhythmical lap-lap of
he bay waves.
This present vision was all Lorenzo
believed in. 1t at least was real. All
ne rest was some trickery of his over
brain.
thompson turned back into the room
With quick sigh. realizing that the
'ast with all Its sweetness was dead,
And then ut last Lorenzo awakened.
With harsh theatrical laugh he
topped and picked up bis chisel and
naiiet from where. with bohemian
arelessness. be had left them at bis
lois feet. He looked up into the
yes that could not see Of pity. the
yes that only spoke to him now Of a
cart that could not feel.
His idol. The very persouiHcati ton of
Is ideal! His angel who had existed
Olely In his imagination:
The lovely. graceful figure that was
, win him name. fame and fortune!
he behaved creation Of his hand.
ruin and heart. Of his very life's love!
1t was Lorenzo who vowed. with an
vii little oath. that he would not pam
er to a selfish woman's heartless
anity. LorenzO's ruthless band that
avagely demolished his idol OF art aud
I'VE. i-orpnzO's unbridled passion that
wept aside all chance Of imme-
late fame TOR the base. momeutary de.
light Of wholly petty revenge.
chisel and mailet:' A strong arm
With temporary madness to aid 1t. aud
.orenzo had laid his own heart and
'ibyrs pride In the dust
Thompson flung away the tools and
ooked with dull. bewildered eyes on
what Lorenzo had done.
Bis love? Nay. but his love had
lever Oepn-Onlv in n droovv,