The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-18
The EuesliJ,e Story


GerOme'S gallery tralleu the young
and lovely Mrs. Flora Heminway with
Jay Jourdan at her elbow. In fact. so
persistently was he at her elbow the
attractive widow was glad Of the OPP
portunity to steal away when q chat
tering bevy Of Jays acquaintance
bore down upon them and diverted his
Thus it happened that Flora Hem
ingway stood alone before q picture
which, having first claimed her inter-
est because of it's daring treatment ana
wonderful coloring. now was driving
fire into her eyes and flame into her
cheeks. She went nearer, affecting
languid pose with her lorgnette.
The artists signature leaped at her
from the dark corner Of the canvas
Carl Silver! There was mockery in
that French girl, Mana! How that
name and that face bridged the space
Of years and swept her back to those
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS days in Paris!
She had been Flora Ramsey then. and
only eighteen; and Carl Silver, in the
early days Of his struggle in the world
Of art, had been the central figure OF
her glamouring romance.
The young and lovely Mrs. Heming
way, EMBODIED in silks and sables, with
her fashionable world around her.
stood motfonless and peered through
her 1orgnette at the picture which an
nounced Carl Silver's success in his
chosen profession. And her mind was
swiftly winging its way hack to Paris
and to a plain. dusty little studio into
which a willful girl OF eighteen often
dragged q reluctant and protesting
chaperon. who, perceiving the charms
Of the young artist. scented danger in
the air.
Young Silver was an American, too.
He was of good family. and he carried
I'M fol He made 1--we
like a gentleman; and. after a whirl-
wind courtship, Flora acknowledged
his conquest over her heart and prom
Used to wait for him.
Then, that memorable day when she
went alone to the studio. and softly
pushed the door ajar, thinking to sur
prise him! 1t was the visitor who was
surprised. for in the center OF the
apartment stood the artist with his
beautiful model clasped in his arms
Mana. the girl of whom Flora had been
secretly Jealous since she first saw her
dark, bewitching face!
Even now. after six years, Flora
could feel the lash of Jealous rage
across her heart. and the bitter sting
Of the chagrin that had carried her
spiritedly out Of Paris and out of Carl
Silver's life.
my word! You must like that pic
ture.' drawled Jay Jourdan at her ell
bow again.
Mrs. Heminway started. Yes. yes!
1t fascinates me. Isn't it wonderfuI?'
''Silver's great" declared Jourdan.
"Oh! You know the artist?'
II met him abroad. He's here in
New York now, believe
The widows heart bounded 81
wonder If the pictures for SALE" was
what Flora said musingly.
It'll see Gerome-shall I?''
| She nodded, and her companion
flew to do her bidding: She turned
was the title: and, leaning against a
| grim stone image of a Satyr, in a
moonlighted garden. was a girlish fig
ure wrapped in draperies Of absinthe
| green. Roses were scattered at her
| feet, and wreathed in her loosened hair
| and her uptilted face was elfishly al
| Turing. The warm flesh tints, the
shimmering draperies. the crimson
| and yellow roses, the vivid features, all
tinctness against the background OF
gray stone and grayer shadows.
A thrilling emotion swept over Flora
as she looked. She did not know
whether she admired or hated that
| picture most-but she wanted to pos
sess it! Jay Jourdan returned with
| the elder Gerome in his wake. and
| fifteen minutes later "Enchantment''
was the property of the wealthy Mrs.
Heminway.
L
dan after a while. Lets have some
| tea"
Seated in the music-enlivened palm
room of q fashionable hotel nearby.
F1ora's usual color and spirits return
ed. Familiar faces nodded at her from
across rose-lighted tables. Her escorts
conversation grew brilliant: his
glances became tender. She tried to
/ forget those ranking memories OF by
gone days. Then Jourdan started.
L HnPQsQ Silver nnW-An0
alone. With your permission" He
went on talking, but Flora heard In q
daze She only knew that her old
lover was standing before her. greet
| ing her, looking at her with grave.
wondering eeys.
sMrs. Heminway! Can this be the
purchaser of my picture. Enchant-
mentr )! just came from Gerome's'
yves. I bought it," smiled Flora.
DO let us celebrate your luck and
mine, Mr.. Silver. And. while you are
drinking your tea. TN tel you nov
much I admire youpr work- EN-
"such a pretty model" drawled
Jourdan. innocently. IAN unusual
type, 1 should say"
The eyes of the artist and the wild
ov locked, almost challengingly, II
seemed The fiusn on F'or@s cneeA.
deepened-
was Is right. Mana Chandos il
No more, The artist spoke in low
i cred tones. ''She was my model Tor
many pictures, but 'Enchantment'
was finished. from memory. There Il
4 an uncommon story connected with
1T would you care to hear it
/ The woman sitting opposite gave
a startled gesture Of assent
i IT conceived the idea long ago
six years ago." he went ON. with his
fgaxe ON F9ora's dropping face Mana
was lust the type I sought-young.
lpiouant, faun-lilke, with delicacy OF
Inuflfne that In hard to lind among