El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-10-26
The Herald's
Daily Short Story

I TURE.-Those who remember Mr.. Os-
valid Curtis's last Academy picture,
THE Murderess-and who does not?-
| will be interested to hear of a ro-
nance which attaches to that raagnifi-
cent work of art. The striking figure
of the woman grasping the knife whilst
| her beautiful face is convulsed with
/ Curtis. not from an ordinary studio
model, but from a charming young
lady Of his acquaintance.
A wealthy young New ZeaIander who
CHANGED to be in England, saw Mr. Cur
tlss picture at the recent exhibition
and fell violently in love with the orig
lral- He was present at the Academy
every day, and stood conspicuous
amongst the admiring crowds that al
ways surrounded the picture At last
he contrived to obtain the artists pri-
Vate address and since he has haunted
ms studio in Glenthorne Gardens The
artist, though sympathizing very keen
~ with the youth, has not yet felt JUS
titled in giving hth any hint as to
the Identity of the lady-even though
the fmpassioned lover has threatened
to commit suicide. Good" murmured
Brook to himself; ''it gets the studio
address in beautifully. That's a nice
touch, too. about his last Academy mic
ture No one would presume that if
was his first"
He called taxi, and whirled off to
Curtis's studio
He met Pawson at the door a. ba
alighted.
isn't it a glorious ad?" he cried
proudly.
Glad you like it. old man. I rather
prided myself upon It."
YOU? exclaimed Brook.
Yes. you might have guessed that
did it. I made up my mind to helm
OLD Curtis, so scrubbed a par or SO.
m just taking him the paper Ten
TO one he's never seen it yet. He never
reads the paper except there's Soma
special cricket on"
Brook snatched the paper from bts
hand and read:
Libel In a Picture
Ihat promising young artist. Mr..
oswald Curtis, whose masterpieces
The Murderess," is reported to be un-
der the consideration of the Chantrey
trustees is at present involved in a |
curious DIFFICULTY. The model for the
sLrlKIngly handsome figure which
thrilled all beholders, was we'll
known society lady-a charming wild |
ow with a very large circle of ac- |
qualntances. Mr.. Curtis originally in !
Ienoeo TO paint her as Lady Macbeth.
and she sat for him on that under
standing. However, at the last mo-
ment before the picture was sent to |
the Academy an: acute critic pointed |
ouI lnaI the face of the model, though |
beautiful and highly dramatic. was far
loo MODERN to realize ones idea of |
Lazy Macbeth. So the artist hurriedlv |
altered the title tc 1.-THE Murderess |
When his model discovered that all
her friends identified her as the
original of the picture and that in her
own circle she was playfully spoken
OF as the murderess, she was seriously !
annoyed, and instructed her solicitors
10 take proceedings for libel. IT is to |
De hoped. though, for the sake Of the
charming model, and of the most prom
lslng of English artists, that the case
will not have to be fought out i'm
court.
Ripping, isn't it?" said Pawson. as
he watched Brooks face.
"Oh, it's good enough; but fo,
heavens sake, look at thisi"
And he handed Pawson the paragraphI
from the Live Wire.
why didn't you tell me that Won
were going to write him up?" said Paw
son, as he read the story of the impas-
stoned New ZeaIander.
For that matter, why didn't you tell
me?"
Never occurred to me till got to the
office"
Same here. But it'll make poor old
curtis laughing stock 1t doesn't
matter much about our papers 1 don't
your proprietor will grumble |
Mine never does unless he's run int
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