The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-09-07

OUR individuals were standing
In the sculpture gallery Of the
l. capitol at Rome. Three of them
were artists, and they had been 81
multaneously struck by resemblance
between one of the antique statues
and a young Italian, the fourth men,
Der of their party.
"You must confess, Kenyon" said
a dark-eyed young woman. whom her
friends called Miriam, that you new.
or chiseled out of the marble a more
vivid likeness than this. Our friend.
bonatello, is the very Faun Of Prax-
Iteles. Is it not true, Hilda"
mot quite almost--yes, ! really
think So" replied Hilda. a slender New
England girl, whose perception of
f ,rm was singularly clear.
"Donatello," said Miriam, 'you arc
veritable Faun. Shake aside those
brown curls and let us see whether
this resemblance includes furry ears"
mo, no! dearest Signorina," an
swcred Donate!lo, you must take my
ears for granted" and he lightly
trimmed beyond the reach of her ex-
tended hand, only moment later to
come close to her and lock into her
| face with appealing affection.
"You have bewitched the poor lad"
said the sculptor laughing. "That is
a way of yours. l see another of your
followers behind yon pillar, and his
presence has aroused Donatello's
wrath."
They had emerged from the palace,
and there, partly concealed by pillar
IN the portico, stood the wild figure OF
La bearded man.
"Miriam," whispered Hilda, ut is
your model"
Miriam's model, as Hilda called him,
HAD suddenly appeared a few weeks
Epreyiously when the four friends were
Twisting one of the Catacombs. In the
"a dark depths of the earth, amid the
2Elabyrinth of passageways. Miriam had
been lost. Guided by the shouts of the
Others she had finally reappeared ac-
fcompanied by this strange and un-
q couth creature. And from that time
on he continued constantly to haunt
her footsteps, disappearing perhaps for
days only to return and glide like
i shadow into her life. What hold he
had on her or she on him remained
Unknown, enhancing the mystery, al
deep, which hung about this
6beautiful woman.
"a One Of Miriam's friends took the
matter sadly to heart. This was the
light-hearted, faun-like Italian count
who seemed such child of nature
BE cherished against the mysterious
e. stranger one Of those instructive an
ipathes which the lower animals
pometimes display.
In the Medici Gardens the unwel
Pome creature had appeared among the
rees just as Donatello was declaring
lis love for Miriam. II hate him.
huttered Donatello as he caught sigh
II the sinister figure. 'Be satisfied;
ate him, too," said Miriam. Where
pon Donatello had offered to clutcl
Jim by the throat, that they might bt
Id Of him forever; and the woman
lad difficulty in restraining the gentle
outh, whose hitherto light-hearted ma
nre seemed suddenly sufeused will
hge.
But it was otherwise few nights
tier on a moonlight ramble that
pmpany of artists were enjoying
BUR friends were of the party, which
fter visiting many places, climbed tn
apitoline hill and stood on the Tar
eian rock. 1t was bordered by low
Rrapet. They all bent over the rail
g and looked down. Miriam and Don
Fello stood together gazing into thu
loonlit depths. They were so alb
|rbed with the scene and with eacl
her that they did not notice the de
lrture of their friends. Hilda ha'
pne off with Kenyon, who had draw
er quietly away, and the others ha'
parted in twos and threes, leavin
ariam behind alone with the Italian
ut not entirely alone. Hilda ha
me but snort way with the sculpto
hen she missed her friend and turne
ck. She reached the paved court
rd with the parapet just in time t
tness unnoticed a tragic Scene. Gu
the shadows the familiar figure Q
'r1ams prosecutor had appeared an
preached her. There was strue
beginning and ending in one breath
Ps Instant. Along with 1t was a lout
arful cry which quivered upwar
rough the air and sank quiverin
waward to the earth. Then 8
zee! Poor Hilda saw the Who'll
lex passage Of a deed which took bu
II little time to grave itself in tn
FrNal adamant. She turned and fle
seen, and the lovers were indee
bne.
"hat have you done?" said MiriaI
horror stricken whisper.
ala what osght to be done to
l'or' Donatello replied: "what you
nade me do as held the wretc