The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-09-17

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.
er chiseled out of the marble a more
vivid likeness than this. Our friend
DonatellO. is the very Faun of Prax-
iteles. Is it not true, HildaY'
"Not -almost-yes, I really
shink So" replied Hilda, slender New
England girl, whose perception Of
form was singularly clear.
"Donatello,' said Miriam, you are
a veritable Faun. Shake aside those
brown curls and let us see whether
this resemblance includes furry ears"
mo, no! dearest Signorina," an
swered D0natello,' "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 bewitched the poor lad,
said the sculptor laughing. "That il
q way of yours. 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
a bearded man.
Miriam" whispered Hilda, ut Is
your model"
Miriam's model, as Hilda called him
had suddenly appeared a few weeks
previously when the four friends were
visiting one of the Catacombs. In thu
dark depths Of the earth. amid the
labyrinth of passageways. Miriam hat
been lost. Guided by the shouts OF the
others she had finally reappeared &C
companied by this strange and un
couth creature. And from that tim'
on he continued constantly to haun
her footsteps, disappearing perhaps To-
days only to return and glide like
shadow into her life. What hold n
had on her or she on him remained
unknown, enhancing the mystery, al
ready deep, which hung about thi
beautiful woman.
One of Miriam's friends took tn
matter sadly to heart. This was tn
light-hearted, faun-like Italian count
who seemed such a child OF nature
He cherished against the mysteriou
stranger one Of those instructive an
tipathies which the lower animal
sometimes display.
In the Medici Gardens the unwel
come creature had appeared among tn
trees Just as Donatello was deciar1n
his love for Miriam. II hate him,
muttered Donatello as he caught sigh
of the sinister figure. BE satisfied;
hate him, too" said Miriam. Where
mon .Donatello had offered to clutc
him by the throat, that they might b
rid Of him forever; and the wcma
had difficulty in restraining the gent
youth. whose hitherto light-hearted ns
ture seemed suddenly sufused wit
rage.
But It was otherwise few night
later on a moonlight ramble that
company of artists were enjoyin
among the ruins of old Rome. Tn
four friends were of the party. which
after visiting many places, climbed tn
Canitoline hill and stood on the TAI
neian rock. It was bordered by lo'
parapet. They all bent over the raj
ing and looked down. Miriam and Dor
atello stood together gazing into IN
moonlit depths. They were SO al
.orhed with the scene and with eac
other that they did not notice the q
parture. of their friends. Hiida ma
GONE Off with Kenyon, who had draw
her quietly away, and the others ma
departed in twos and threes, leavin
Miriam behind alone with the Italial
Rnt not entirely alone. Hilda ma
come hut a short way with the sculptt
when she missed her friend and turne
hack. she redCAcu lAC P~
ward with the parapet just In time
witness unnoticed tragic scene. "
~ the shadows the familiar figure
Miriams prosecutor had appeared an
enproached her. There was stru
lie beginning and ending in one breat
less instant. Along with 1t was lou
fearful cry which quivered upwa'
through the air and sank quiverr
downward to the Earth. Then q
Ience,. Poor Hilda saw the VINO
suick passage OF 4 deed which took o.
that little time to grave itself IN q
eternal adamant. She turned ana III
unseen. and the lovers were indee
alone.
sWhat have you done3" said Mira
IN a horror stricken whisper.
81 did what ought to be done 70
traitor Donatello replied: "what yo'
ewes babe me do as held the wret'
over the precipice."
The last words struck Miriam IKE
bullet. Had her eyes indeed provoke
or assented to this deed? She had n
known 1t. But, alas! thinking pa
she could not deny that wild Joy ~
Aamed M In her heart when she 9