The diamond drill., 1921-04-30

DER VI lHclr purity.
'You must confess, Kenyon sal,
dark-eyed young woman, whom he
friends called Miriam. "that you ney
er chiseled out OF the marble a NOR,
vivid likeness than this. Our friend
Donatello, is the very Faun OF Prax
iteles. Is II not true. Hildaf"
"Not quite-almost-yes. reall,
think So" replied Hilda, a slender New
England girl, whose perception oi
form was singularly clear.
"Donatello." said Miriam, "you arr
a verltable Faun. Shake aside those
brown curls and let us see whether
this resemblance includes furry ears.
mo. no. dearest Signorina," an.
swered Donatello. you must take my
ears for granted" and he lightly
tripped beyond the reach OF her ex.
tended hand. only a moment later "a
come close TO her and look into her
face with appealing affection.
"You have bewitched the poor lad"
said the sculptor laughing. "That is
a 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" whIsperea vida, 1T Is
your model"
Miriam's model, as Ida called him.
had suddenly appeared a 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-
companied 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
shadow 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 10 heart. This was the
llght-hearted. faun-like Italian count.
who seemed such a child Of nature.
He cherished against the mysterious
stranger one Of those instructive an
tipathies which the lower animals
sometimes display.
In the Medici Gardens the unwel-
come creature had appeared among the
trees Just as Donatello was declaring
his love for Miriam. II hate him."
muttered Donatello as he caught sight
OF the sinister figure. "Be satisfied:
hate him, too" said Miriam. Where
upon Donatello had offered to clutch
him by the throat. TINT they might be
rid OF him forever: and the woman
had difficulty I'm restraining the gentle |
youth, whose hitherto light-hearted ma |
ture seemed suddenly suffused with
rage
But IL was otherwise a few nights
later on a moonlight ramble that n |
OF artists were enjoying |
among the ruins Of old Rome. The !
four friends were OF the party. which,
after visiting many places, climbed the |
peian rock. II was bordered by low |
They all bent over the rail-
Ing and looked down. Miriam and Don
atello stood together gazing into the
moonllt depths. They were so alb
sorbed with the scene and with each /
other that they did not notice the de-
parture OF their friends. Hilda had \
gone or with Kenyon, who had drawn |
her quietly away. and the others had
departed I'm twos and threes. leaving l
Miriam behind alone with the Italian.
But not entirely alone. Hllda had
gone but 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 10
witness unnoticed tragic scene. Out
Df the shadows the familiar figure of
MIriams prosecutor had appeared and
her. There was o 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 qulverfng
iownward 20 the earth. Then a a.
encel Poor HiIda saw the whole
luick passage OF deed which took but
hat little time TO grave itself In the
eternal adamant. She turned and fed
unseen. and the lovers were indeed
slone.
what have you donef' said Miriam
n horror stricken whisper.
: 81 did what ought TO be done 10 a
DonateIIo replied: "what your
yes bade me do as held the wretch
,ver the precipice."
The last words struck Miriam like
inlet. Had her eyes indeed provoked,
" sssented 10 this deedf She had not
tnown II. But. aiasi thinking back
he could not deny that a Wild Joy had
Ia .nH L.. k.~ A..-s -.