Evening star., 1928-04-04
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
THE SCULPTOR OF BRUGES
By MRS. CRAIK

lowed. Another man. who lived near.
had heard a plunge in the water. but
thought it only his own dog. who often
at night swan across the canal.
third also had met Andrea beside the
canal, but had seen no other person.
This was suficient evidence 10 convict
the sculptor of Bruges.
The officers came TO find Andrea
mourning the death Of his wife in child
birth. He protested that no man with
his misfortune could have planned and
committed murder. But he was ar
rested all the same. and only his be-
loved daughter, Gertrude, a beautiful
child, came TO comfort him in his cell.
Andrea was brought TO trial and was
sentenced TO die. The evidence was
all against him. in spite Of his known
gentle nature and unsullied character.
Out OF regard for the latter, however,
the time before his execution was ex-
tended and he was also commissioned,
before his death. 70 carve a wood sculp-
ture for the hall OF justice In which he
was tried and sentenced.
The irony Of this last commission
might have been too much for another
man. But Andrea harbored no gr1dge.
and set TO work. with his daughter al
ways at his side for comfort and in
| spiration At last the sculpture was
completed: the work had sustained
| Andrea as long as It's labor lasted.
/ High as Andrea's reputation had been,
( IL was surpassed by the beautiful group
| which now met the eyes OF the magis-
/ trates. Its subject was Eternal Justice
not the woman with blindfolded eyes
I and balanced scales-but an open-eyed
/ angel. all-behoiding. and equally re-
I warding all. They looked upon 1t In
silence. and then turned 10 the artist.
/ who, wan and haggard. stood behind
| his judges The magistrates could not
| restrain their admiration--the eye OF
! the unfortunate sculptor frightened
/ for a moment at their warm praise.
/ but Immediately his face returned 10
/ It's accustomed melancholy.
| 1T is all In vain" he said. You
cannot make me forget the past~-you
! cannot remove the blot from the name
! Of my chiidren-y0u cannot give 70
their father his forfeit life"
/ There is hope still. Andrea; have
! you courage 10 hear lt?"
The sculptor started up. Tell me
| only that / am proved innocent, and
| will thank God and die"
! Take heart! Many strange things
| have been discovered today" said one
/ of the magistrates. BE calm now
| Ere long We may send you good news, -
! All that day Andrea sat with his
/ daughter. Gertrude. I'm his arms. kiss
/ ing her, st times almost weaping over
/ her. Tomorrow" he said. I'VE may
( be free"
/ Shall we go 10 our own home?'
asked Gertrude, as she left him for
/ the night
yes, dear child" said Andrea kiss
/ ing her once more. Yes. shall &c
/ home tomorrow"
lie had spoken the truth When ON
/ GERS entered the nezt day bearing a
release for him, they found him with
I his head on his arms. leaning on the
I table As though asleep, A letter had
/ come from woman who had written
! evidence that MeIchOjr knnst intend
J I'd 10 XIII himself, thus relieving An
a. drea Of ali blame. Andrea WAS tDno'
! cent? But rs he leansd there on Lhf
| table he did not look up, His face WAS
| without expressionn0 life sh0ne ir
| his flzed aud open eyes. The sculptor
/ Of Briges was dead his heart had
/ broken with JOY.