davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

and art was long hung before eyes like drapery of
black cloth across the splendid city by the Seine Art
Heart What to give to would OF necessity be
stolen from the other. Everywhere too there lay scat
tered warnings,-tombs and gudeposts OF tororn ex-
istences. | saw in Paris the graves of many meager
talents the wrecks of fine English American gifts dis
torted spent and mutiatcd, hiding themselves in OBJ
scure mansards fearing the faces of friends and feeling
the chill word failure" scrawled their brows.
Had they been poisoned with their paints at the be-
ginning of their blasted Careers, had they opened
vein with a sharp palette knife, their fate had been
fairer They the victims as well as the out
casts of the alien academies knew that their hearts
ached for their native towns villages in Britain
New England or the West. Few would these
again. for the pride of the wealthy and successful is
nothing the pride of the poor that stabbed with
failure and both are nothing to the naughty and
ruinous pride of the artist.
Love came streaming in potent currents across
the Atlantic 1t drove me and up,-a golden goad
that touched now the breast and now the brain.
"There is a about your portraits and your
landscapes; but it is magnificent sameness, touched
with something fine and strange at last said the
tiers of the Academy to
These bewigged and specialized ones could not, OF
course, know what it | alone knew. Into every
landscape painted something of the magic sunlight
that cleaned upon Taapais In all my portraits there
was something of Elizabeth that like fire down the
brush and turned the paint to living flesh.
SO | rustled my wings there by the Seine and ex
banded them for loftier flights pride like Lucifers
began flash and smoke within me, sick, relentless
yearning for the highest peaks; for there they still
stretched and lifted-those cold defiant SUBMITS for
which was born. My blind ambition mustered itself
for this climb flight, and stood ready to fou all
human things for the sake of that divine triumph. |
would my paint stained hands at the faithful fire
of Elizabeths heart-and then and up! The four
years spend abroad already past; but she
could wait-I could wait On the SUBMITS there would
be plenty of for eagles nest and for his mate!
When the time came | would call my mate from the
tabelands up to the pinnacles!
RUT Elizabeth eagle. The bleak ridges of STU
- premacy which looked upon the goal to my
frightened her. She began turn her eyes back
earth the mountains of the years, of longing of sep
aration, forbiddng than mountains of stone
In the valleys comfort peace, and companionshp
The fertile valleys safer for the building of nests;
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

I sucked out the beauty and the poetry
of the Orient as though the Orient were
an orange. l walked in an opiate, iri-
descent cloud by day and went wander
ing for romance like ravaging fire by
night Wherever mountains doomed in
my path, climbed them. 1t was as if
Elizabeth in spirit was always climbing
at my side. But there were few noun
tains as beautiful as Tamalpais, and abb
solutely no women SO beautiful as Eliza
BETH
In Paris dismal homesickness for the
Far West, an aching hunger of the heart,
bounced upon me. Art, the painters
art, which l was to study there, lifted
itself to cloudier heights than any of the
tangible peaks l had conquered. The
devastating maxim that life was short
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

EDITORS NOTE.-Herman Schefauer's " The Passion
the Peak 1911 Prize Short Story Compe-
tition. for n outline of which announcement
Page l8.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

what men do to those who steal. stopped short
coveting, and more than anything In the world ne
He had wooed her in the days when they stu
crnging eyes, and all the time an undercurrent or
hatred mingled with his love, because all that he
slim girl had the power to withhold IT.
prison or shaving in Siberia but Kousienhoff his sue
cessful rival, and Natalie who had Inundated and
Well enough that they were re<olutionaries, but no
domciliary visits, questioning or bribng of other
dence as would satisfy Russian Yet Kousien-
hoff and Natalie were members OF The Iron Ring
be identified but because of the extraordinary loyalty
Of the members. and because of the band of metal
appointed executioner. each member thought of the
society The Iron Ring"
BY process deduction. Markovtch had
to the conclusion that kousenhoff and Natalie must
belong to the mysterious organization And dreadful
plan formed in his brain. whereby he might unmask
the secret and take his revenge on the two people
whom most in the world he hated and the he Pretty fool
There had been a shower OF rain the afternoon on
which the lovers looked into the window of Obonski's
furniture shop, and the edge of awning the
confectioners next door was trimmed with little drops:
bow In the heart of each. The rope which was used
for raising the awning swung near to the hand OF
Natalie and the spirit of mischief entered her pretty
Look up. quick. Maruska:' she said-for that is
standing beneath the edge of the awning with his soft
black ha: in his hand looked up, and number OF
baby rainhows fell on his face Natalie with merry
laugh pu;.ei the rope
Kouseuhofs pretended to be angry. You have
cruel isposition, Natalie, he accused; that is the
torture OF the Inquison"
The girl laughed and daobed the moisture off his
face with soft little touches of her handkerchief
Markovitch had seen the little play; had heard the
words. The torture OF the lnquisition; had noted
how the girls hands fingered about this mantle
yearning touch OF woman with al infinite capacity
for loving.
No information had to Markovitch from his
spying but plan had formed in his brain. His after
noon was not wasted.
The day after Natalie and Kousenhoff
ried Markovitch paid them domciliary visit in their
new home. He brought with him three men, who at
his orders handcuffed Kousenhoff and his wife. They
taken into the kitchen while the sitting
being searched.
All the time they in the kitchen they heard
the sound OF hammering in the sitting room. They
taking up the floor" said Natalie.
They will have to put ii down again., said Kousien-
hoff lit is all they will have for their trouble"
When they taken back to the sitting they
that the floor had not been disturbed but against
the wall a framework had been erected. Some scant.
ungs had been spiked into the wall, and into the
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22


begin all again. Come the names"
Natalie looked at the clock. 1t was ten minutes to
six. Markovitch took up pen
Natalie had opened her mouth to speak, when she
heard heavy tread the wooden stairs. The rooms
his way to of the lower floors. but the hope
that it might be Ivan, faint though it was gave the
tortured girl little strength.
Now he is the second floor she thought, and
the steps seemed cease; nothing moved but the
whirling
Il am waiting" said Markovitch, dipping his pen in
the ink
Again she opened her mouth speak; again she
body beneath her svaying Whoever it had
reached the landing below Natalie heard him knock
floor. Then she moaned out name-au hope
had left her.
I can't hear said Markovitch, his poised above
the paper. Speak louder"
Il can't speak can't remember anything Take
Oft the rope and will speak"
Lower your II it is tired, my sweet Natalie It
will only few tears OF vitrol trickling down
kousienhoffs face"
Then he spoke distinctly, and at that mo-
nent the steps heard mounting the top
Help" shrieked Natalie. Help! Help! Help."
The handle turned. shaken. relinquished. Mark
ovitch dropped the pen and. pulling out revolver
faced the door with snarl. The steps backed away.
"Help!" shrieked Natalie again
For answer the door shook with terrific impact
OF heavy body. There a snick when metal
cracks but the door did not open. Again came the
impact like padded shell bursting the lock from its
fastening. Markovitch fired through the door and
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22
The pain is nothing-let drip znoaned Kousienho

scantlings screwed iron rings Above the frame
work projection ike od-fashoned gallows,
such you see in Punct and Judy shows Fastened to
this projection funneEshaped porcelain flask
light rope connected with the flask through
the projection and carried along the WALL passing
through small block to the left. 1t hung down
loosely like the rope the awning.
Markovitch seated at table smoking cigar
regarding the continuance with the satisfaction
of inventor The cigar smoke hung in tiny wreath5
about the dark brown beard which concealed the
weakness of his chin; his small protruding eyes
sparkled venomously with the JOY of who hunts
in safety.
Natalie and Kousienhoff looked disdanfully at the
of the secret police. They had overcome
the old habit regarding him cringng student,
and they had idea OF the meaning OF the framework
the wall.
"Fasten tlem up!" ordered Markovitch.
They did not resist; they knew it useless but
had they known the meaning of the framework and
the flask they would have struggled and fought
inch of the the little AS it they
allowed themselves be fastened to the iron rings
Kousenhoff the right below the funne-shaped
flask, Natalie to the left where the dangled loose
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

like the rope Of the awning. They held up her right
wrist and about it they fastened the end of the rope
Markovitch took the cigar of his mouth Il warn
you, he said to Natalie malevolently, lower
your arm" Then he dismissed his satellites, for
did not share with any the information he
meant to extract
Markovitch locked the door, then he returned to his
seat at the table, and began invade the hearts
of the lovers
The reason advised you not to lowe. your pretty
arm is this. he told Natalie If you lower you vii!
pull the stopper from. the flask above husband
head and the contents will fall him drop by
Your arm will get tired, but when wish to be
released have only to give certain Information
want about the secret society to which you belong
the names of your comrades and the plans OF the
organization, then both Of you will be free"
There is no organization Markovitch, you spying
DEVIL" cried kousenhoH angriy, but II there was
few drops OF water would not make a traitor"
Il forgot to mention" answered Markovitch in his
smooth, malevoent voice, that it Is There
water the awning, but there is vitrol in that
flask. Surely. Natalie, will drop vitriol
your dear husbands face rather than speak few
words"
You devil! you devil! you devil" Kissed Natalie
writhing, yet afraid to move very much.
kouseuhoff rather white and strained at his
bonds mastiff strains against his chain.
issued from his lips, more growl than moan, such
a sound strong man makes when he finds himself
helpless in the power OF a weak Ma-kovitcn
laughed and allowed himself the luxury OF fresh
cigar.
You'd better speak now. my dear Natalie. why pu.
yourself to the inconvenience of holding up your arm
long, for when find that the vtrtol is spelling
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

TT was such little thing that
set the spider brain OF
4 Markovitch spinning tt,
cruel web; just the pretty foollng
of a loving woman.
They were standing outside the
shop of Oblonski, the dealer In
secondhand furniture, in a back
street in Moscow, Natalie Erm-
hoff with Kousienhoff, her be-
trothed. and so intent were they
on examining The contents OF the
window and each others eyes
that they were unconscious OF
the presence of Markovitch. OF
the secret police.
Before the revolution began
Markovitch had maze very little
progress in the world. He had
the hunting instinct, but not the
courage to hunt on his cwn &C
count. He did not steal. be-
hn AFRAID
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

was changed the furniture piled against door,
all out the table and couple OF chairs OF
those chairs by the table Kousienhoff. He
where Markovftch had been seated. stood
bound beneath the funnel where Kousienhoff had
stood There had been slight Encouragement Of the
apparatus because the stopper rope fastened
TO Markovitch's left wrist He was holding it high in
Inc air From his mouth issued steady stream Of
sound; sometimes 1t cursing, but more often he
pleaded for mercy. Il tell you hold it up no
more. feels like lead" he CRIED and the PRECIPITATION
ran down his face in streams
Lower your arm my dear Markovtch. II Is
tired answered kousenhon. using the others words.
mmicking also his voice. 1T only a few drops
Of vitriol running down your cheeks"
why play with him." growed Ivan "let me kill
him and be done with It." His great hands worked
convulsively.
He has not asked you yet 1van." replied Kousien.
hon. sombrely; wait until he asks 1t will be
time enough then"
Natalie up behind her husband and put her
hands on his shoulders. What is it you mean to do
with him?"
What he did to us, Natalie, nothing
"Ah but you don't know the torture OF it. long
agony, the fear
You spoke name." replied Kousenhon. and tilted
his head back that Natalie the cruel mark on
his face grease had been rubbed the livid lines
She said nothing. only got the other chair and put
next to her husbands. then she watched eagerly
the table for the lowering Of Markovitchs arm
She made answer when the man pleaded with her.
making extravagant promises of money, of immunity
only looked into his face with cruel hungry
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

Courage, Natalie! courage!" he
said between his teeth. His voice
revived her for moment, but after
a little while her arm lowered again.
and this time Markovitch saw the
drop fall.
you are spelling his pretty face,
Natalie. Look what you have done
to him"
Natalie turned her agonized eyes
and saw a red line tracing itself on
her husbands cheek His hands
were drawn up backwards, for he
had nothing to grip.
Il will speak," she shrieked.
Take away the rope and l will
speak"
Il will curse you If you speak.
will hate you. The pain is nothing
let it drip" moaned Kousienhoff.
at won't stay up! 1t won't stay
up!" sobbed his wife, "and l can't
torture you. 1 can't! l can't! You
are more to me than all the others.
No one will blame us when they
know. Take OFF the rope! Quick!
Take 1t off,"
But, no, my dear Natalie, you
then must
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

lie and Alahng their way to America That is, Nata
~ HeI husband, for Ivan back his farm.
and be "hole life keeping It's promise to Natalie
nm nc. husband The Iron Ring" is still unbroken.
s,ch snels is parliament in Russia less
As LOT Markovitch, he has been deprived OF all
1oF his hunting instinct. There are many flies
~ als cell When he has caught he devises very
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22
The IRON RlNG--By Gerald Villiers-Stua

again as Ivan Kousienhoff charged into the room.
Some plaster fell from the wall above for frightened
fire high He had the fire
again close quarters, but turned to and fell
from of Ivans gigantic fist,
Ivan did to understand the
situation He caught the bar OF pain that was poor
Natalies arm, and almost with sigh OF relief she
allowed the spin it would and nestled down
{pto harh
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

kousienhoff's pretty face you will speak fast.
since you have had the bad taste to admire 1t.
on' 90 not think You will like to place vitriol
on IN stead OF kisses-the day after your we'd
dins' too Come. speak. my pretty one and get
it over
Natalie turned her head round: her terror.
Wldened eyes looked into those OF her beloved.
Sne was dumbly asking his permission, for she
anew now that love of country and loyalty to
tne orotnerhood were as nothing when weighed
ID the balance against her love. She would hold
out to the last moment, but she would speak
before one single drop branded that dear face
81; housienhoff read her mind in the look and
rled to brace her fortitude. With his eyes fixed
steadily on his wife. he spoke to Markovitch
MY wife knows" he said, in slow. intense
voice. that would endure worse torture than
Your devils mind has invented before l would
allow her to say word which she has no
right to say. am not coward like you. Mark
ovltch and my wife knows it. l would kill my
self afterwards. and she knows it. would
curse her, and she knows it,
All the same she will speak, my dear Kou-
sienhof. She may know all that. but she will
speak, Won't you. my pretty Natalie?'
NO! no! l won't speak. Release You
have right to do this. There is no law
THE law will not be very severe to me. for
shall have pretty valuable information from
those pretty lips, and perhaps-who knows?--
some kisses"
Again that strange sound came from Kousie7-
hoff's lips. He wondering what he would
do to Markovitch if he could get free His to-
mentor felt tremor of fear go through him in
his security.
Perhaps my pretty Natalie, your magma
ton is not capable of approaching the sensa
tons which can be caused by drop of vitriol;
you did not, l remember attend the chemistry
classes 1t would be kind if l gave you demon
stration. He dipped glass tube into bottle
under the table, came to the girl and
touched her left hand with the tube. She scream
ed at the unexpected agony.
."That is how it feels, my dear Natalie. That
is only one drop, and there are many drops
above your beloved Kousienhoff's head. If you
are not careful you will shake them down on
him as YOU shook the water from the awning
she will not speak, said Kousienhof. be-
tween his teeth - 49,
Markoyitch laughed 1--WE will see.
Natalie's right was trembling; already It
fa,t numb and detached. At any moment she
tnew that she might lose control, but the burn
w. nain in her left hand helped her to keep her
fnrces together. She looked at the cheap Amerf
nan clock on the shelf behind her tormentor 1t
Was halfpast five. At six her husbands brother
von1d come to tea, Ivan. the farmer brother
who was stronger even than her husband. He
would come, but long before that she would
49, Observation-Disclosures he came early but
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

ing IOr tue
first drop 20
plunge its fall
ing way down
his cheeks.
At la 8 t 1t
came. my arm
is failing" yell
ed the man be-
meath the flask.
The rope came
taut, and one
a f t er another
two drops fell
on Markovitch.
H e shrieked
and raised his
arm once more.
1T burns, 1t
burns; fire Is
trickling down
my cheeks"
Suddenly one
of the shrieks
e n d e d in q
la u 6 h an d
NJ a r k o v itch,
twisting his
head, snapped
at one of the
drops as a dog
snaps at a fly.
Then he laugh
ed again in a
strange, mirth-
less way which
made Natalie
SILVER. Rou-
sienhon eft
the table and
walking up to
NJ a r k o vi ten
looked closely
into his wild,
staring eyes.
You m a y
turn him loose
now, Ivan" he
S a | d to his
brother. Hes
forgotten the
name which he
W r u n g from
Natalie"
He m ust
h a We ne
mad" S a | d
Natalie, going
over to her
husband.
But where
are the marks?
Why isn't his
face burnt like
yours ?" she
asked. fercely.
b e C a u S e,
Natalie, water
does not burn,
and there was
n o t h i n & but
water and his
Imagination. I
poured out the
vitriol. l put
water in its
place"
They turned
NJ a r k ovitch
loose in the
streets, en-
they gathered
together their
little treasures
and fed. maxim,
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

It was more likely he would be late her nuspand dld
80 Lnow his brother coming, 1t was to be sur
prise. 49, ..o..... ....,,,. ;a,, ,.,o..
In such moments the attention becomes IDLY concen-
+r.ted IN some one object. Nataies became fixed
the clock: it seemed making faces at her while
# licked out Drip drip drip drip, but the hands
stood still Sometimes she had to remove her
from the clock look at her right arm 1t was the
only way she could tell that she was keeping 1t up
It was very numb and yet thread of pain trembed
through it all down the bone
At intervals Kousenhoff spoke. always the same
words: You wasting your time, Markovitch My
wife will not speak. Drop the stuff over me and be
done with it,"
Always Markovitch made the same answer: I am
hurry, and she will speak,
The hands of the clock for all its mockery pointed
quarter to six, but in spite Of Natale's efforts the
began to revolve. Very slowly at first for all
her will power concentrated holding it in its
place. but it slipping out of her grasp; she looked
at her 1t lowered, but too numbed to feel
the weight of the She managed to raise it by
bending her body-too late A drop had fallen on
Kousienhoff's head. BY the exercise of superhuman
control he managed to endure the pain in silence.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-22

Keep her arm high. Ivan. and
get the rope off her wrist II you
lower 1t I'm done for"
Ivan freed Natalie's wrist with
very little difficulty.
Now, undo these ropes"
Then kousienhoff issued or.
ders. He was suffering terribly.
Tor several drops had traced their
course down his cheek like mott
en- tears. but his head was clear
Hold up her arm. Ivan. Hold
1t high"
kousienhoff released his wife's
inanlnate body with his own
hands. He kissed her right arm.
1t felt like an icicle. He mada
no attempt to revive the girl: he
had work to do OF which he
wished her to remain uncon-
Scious.
When Natalie opened her
eyes once more the room
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1911-11-10

WOIldH Naturally IL, 1888 SCliSltNC
to pain than a man-and compass
sion is the offspring of sensitive
ness. -, i1.. -. ~.
eve also see that women have
many traits in common with chill
dren; that their orafsense is de-
fcient; that they are. revengetul,
Jealous, inclined to vengeances OF
arefned, diabolical cruelty.
''In ordinary. cases these de-
fects are neutralized by pIety,
maternity, want of passion. -.
':But when piety and maternal
sentiments are wanting and IN
their places are strong passions
and intensely erotic tendencies, it
is clear that the innoeuous semi
criminal present in the normal
woman must be transformed into
born criminal more terrible than
any man.
r',WHAT TERRIBLE GRIM,
. NAILS CHILDREN WOULD
BE, IF THEY HAD. STRONG
P SSIO,N S, MUSCULAR
STRENGTH AND SUFFI-
Gle N T INTELLIGENCE?
AND IF, MOREOVER, THEIR
EVIL TENDENCIES WERE
EXASPERATED BY A NOR
BID PSYCHICAL ACTIVITY?
''And women are big children.
Their evil tendencies are more
numerous and more varied than
mems, but generally remain lat
ent."
In later days, there has been
Belle Guinness, the red woman of
the Indiana murder farm.
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1911-11-10

Did ever male criminal over
reach this woman who wooed
men to her lonely farm with talk
of love and marriage, only to STAY
them as they slept, and all for the
lust of gold?
And apply Lombroso's state
ments to the case of Louise Yer
milya. 49,.
: If the theory of the police be.
correct, think how this more
cunning criminal than Belle
Guinness must have sat in her
House of Death at AIS East
Twenty-ninth street, and planned
to lure men to their deaths.
Think how she must have Sc
lected her victims, then with law
ish displays of sweet womanhood
woven a net of subtle f1attery
about him, as spider about fly.
Think how she made her home
a place so comfortable that all
men longed for it.
What was it that made Arthur
Bissonette wish to marry Louise
Vermilya, according to her own
statement? -
1t was the home-like air that al
ways pervaded the House of
Death.
What was it that induced Rich
ard T. Smith to woo this woman
of many loves and many deaths?
1t was desire for such a home
as his dead friend, Verfnilya, had
enjoyed and Dragged of.
And then think of this woman
sitting in the carefully planned
home, scheming to induce the
Arizona republican., 1911-03-15

A real good Handkerchief for
child. They are all white and have
hemstitched border. The size is
the same as woman's Handker-
chief