The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-08-26

in the sculpture gallery OF thu
capitol at Rome Three OF then
we're artists, and they had been ST
simultaneously struck by resemblance
between one OF the antique statue,
and young Italian. the fourth mem
Der Of their party.
sYou must confess, Kenyon. said
dark-eyed young woman, whom hel
friends called Miriam, "that you new
err chlseied ont OF the marble a more
vivid likeness than this. Our friend
Donatello, is the very Faun OF Prax
lteles Is II not true, Hlida2'
mot qultealmost- yes, really
think so. replied HIlda, slender New
England girl, whose perception OF
form was singularly clear.
"Donatello,p said Miriam, "you arc
verltable Faun. Shake aside those
brown curls and let us see whether
this resemblance includes furry ears"
mo. mol dearest Slgnorlna," an
swered Donatello, "you must take my
ears for granted" and he lightly
tripped beyond the reach Of her ex-
tended hand, only moment later to
come close to her and look into her
face with appealing affection.
''You have bewltched the poor lad"
said the sculptor laughing, "That is
way OF yours. see another Of your
followers behind yon pillar, and his
presence has aroused Donatello's
wrath"
q
They had emerged from the palace,
and there, partly concealed by a pillar
In the portIc0, stood the Wild figure of
a bearded man.
Miriam whispered Hilda, ut is
your model"
Mirlams model, as Hilda called him,
Ind suddenly appeared n few weeks
previously when the four friends were
visiting one of the Catacombs. In the
dark depths of the earth, amid the
labyrinth of passageways, Miriam had
been lost. Guided by the shouts of the
others she had finally reappeared ac-
companled by this strange and un-
couth creature. And from that time
on he continued constantly to haunt
her footsteps, disappearing perhaps for
days only to return and glide like a
adow into her life. What hold he
had on her or she on him remained
Unknown, enhancing the mystery, al
ready deep, which hung about this
beautiful woman.
One Of Mlriam's friends took the
matter sadly to heart. This was the
lght-hearted, faun-llke Italian count,
who seemed such child OF nature.
lie cherished against the mysterious
stranger one OF those instructive an
tlpathles which the lower animals
sometimes display.
In the Medici Gardens the unwel-
come creature had appeared among the
trees just as Donatelio was declaring
mis- love for Miriam. ~ hate him."
muttered Donatello as he caught sight
of the sinister figure BE satisfied; /
mate him, too" said Miriam. Where
upon Donatello had offered to clutch
him by the throat. that they might be
rid of him forever; and the woman
had difficulty in restraining the gentle
youth. whose hitherto light-hcarted ma
ture seemed suddenly suffused with
rage.
But It was otherwise a few nights
later on moonlight ramble that
company of artists were enjoying
among the ruins OF old Rome. The
four friends were Of the party, which.
after visiting many places, climbed the
Capitoline hill and stood on the Tar
peian rock. II was bordered by low
parapet. They all bent over the rail-
ing and looked down. Miriam and Dom
Atello stood together gazing into the
moonlit depths. They were so abb
sorbed with the scene and with each
other that they did not notice the de-
parture Of their friends. Hllda had
gone or with Kenyon, who had drawn
her quietly away, and the others had
departed in twos and threes, leaving
Miriam behind alone with the Italian.
But not entirely alone. Hilda had
some but a short way with the sculptor
when she missed her friend and turned
back. She reached the paved court
yard with the parapet Just in time to
witness unnotieed tragic Scene. Out
OF the shadows the familiar figure OF
Miriam.s prosecutor had appeared and
approached her. There was strug-
gle beginning and ending In one breath
less Instant Along with II was loud,
fearful cry which quivered upward
through the air and sank quiyering
downward to the earth. Then a ST.
fencel Poor HiIda saw the whole
quick passage of 4 deed which took but
that little tine 70 grave itaeif in the
eternal adamaEt. She turned and fled
unseen. and the lovers were indeed
alone
what have you doneT said Miriani
ID q horror stricken whisper.
II did what ought to be done 70 Q
traitor DonatsiIo replied what youE
n 4. 49, &.a4