Evening Star Newspaper, March 26, 1898, Page 16

THE EVENING STAR, SAT URDAY, MARCH 26, 1898-94 PAGES. CHAPTER \—Continued When Metem reached Sakon and the he found that a message had al- y been sent to them announcing that ing Ithobal would m them presen! upon the plain outside his camp. But still did not come; indeed, it was not until kon had dispatched another messenger, seying that he was about to return to the that at length Ithobal appeared at the head of a bodyguare of black troops. Arranging these in line in front of the ca he came forward, attended by iwelve or fourte2n councillors and ¢ erals, ail of them unarmed, and” halt half way between his own line and that of the Phoenicians, but out of bowshot of either. reon Sakon, ccompanied by a sim- among em in and nobles, Metem, all of ¢ for the knives out to meet hi! drawn up upon the Let n to busix formal word: us the a, ple from king,” sald Sakon of salutation had for we have waited long upon and already move the city to learn what has be- ur sure, Do t x that I should am- bush asked Ithobal hotly. And for re fs it not right that hould bide at the door of their it is his pleasure*to open it?” not What they fear,” answered t at least w> fear nothing, for too m: need at his upon the. hill- of Zimboe the s he be the shall put to proof, Sakon,” said Ithobal; “but, soy, what does the Jew with yo! 1 he pointed to Aziel. “Is an envoy from Zimboe? the prince, . the ruler of io take note of ace and war, l with them, » to accom- “This for gibe: since dare venture within the come to an- mad? upon us in nf Audie You demanded that ications should be thrown down, refuse, since we do not ccurt You demanded that w2 to enslave men to labor in and to answer that man a tax wiul chi2t, or to you as king. You led that the nt tribute should 3 is, out of love and and not from fear, we this we will enter into a bond of la . Since it is } t we seek and King, you have our answer. t of it, How of the chief that I hould ng. it ¢ have taken t nting the L ion Sa, n me the gods of heay- 'S matter trom our han dy pur er Do you people to make be am whom I have h erded by de: ughte: narriage? uld trick me with priest's juggling that you may keep her to be the toy of 5 ng. So be it, but I tell you r your city stone from stone*and anoint its ruins with your bleed; yes, your young men sg! 1 la- bor in the mines for me, and your high- bern maiden shall wait upon my queens Listen, you"—and he turned to his generals et the messengers who are ready start ast and w nd north and south, to the chiefs whose names you have, bidding them to meet me with their tribesmen, at the time and pla ypointed. When next I speak with you, elders of Zimboe, it shall be at the head of a hundred thousand war- riors.”” “Then. king. on your hands nocent lives that these doomed, and may the weight of their wast- ed blood press you down to ruin and ath,” answeredSakon, proudly, but with pale lips, for something of the fear they felt for the issue of this war was written on the faces of all his company, do what they would to hide it. turned upon his heel, deigning no but as he went he whispered a word > of his captains, great “hind the rest of be all the in- is of yours have his p searching for something upon the ground. Sakon end his councillors also turned, walking toward their escort, but Aziel liggered a little, fearing no danger, 4 being curious to learn what the men seught aw courte rou seek, captains?” he asked rmlet that one of us has lost,” wered. nder cn the ground, ved the armlet haif in a tussock of grass, where, in- it had been placed. the ring?” he asked, lifting it ling it toward them. and we thank you,” they answer- to take it. xt moment, before ke had even gu their purpose, they had gripped him by cither arm and were dragging hira it full speed toward the camp. Under- © their treachery and the greatnes ger, he cried aloud for help, and, himself swiftly to the ground, nSt 2 stone that chanced in their path in such fashion that ight tore his right arm from man that held it. Now, he drew the dagger from quick as thought, his girdle, still lying on his back, Piunged it into the shoulder of the second man so that he loosed him in his pain. Then he sprang to his feet. und, leaping to ene side to escape the rush of his captors, ran like a deer toward the party of Sakon, who had turned at the sound of his cry. Ithobal and his men had also turned and sped toward them, but at a litle distance halted, the king shouting aloud re to hold this foreigner, who Is e cause of war between us, hostage for Jour daughter's sake, Sakon, but this time he has escaped me. Well, it matters not, for soon my turn will come, and, there- fore, if you and he are wise, you will send him back to the s thither alone I promise him safe conduct,” «und without more words he walked to his camp, the estes of which were closed behind him. “Prince Aziel,” said Sakon, as they went toward the city, “ it is ill to speak such words to an honored guest, but it cannot be denied that you bring much trouble on my head. Twice now you have nearly perished at the hands of Ithobal, and should that chance doubtless I must earn the wrath of Solomon. On your behalf, also, the city of Zimboe is this day plung- ed into a war that well may be her last, since it is because you have grown dear to her that my daughter refused the sult of Ithobal, and because of his outraged pride at this refusal that he has stirred up the Pations against us. Prince, while you. re- main in this city there is no hope of peace. Do not, therefore, hate me, your servant, if I pray of you to leave us While there is yet time. “Sakon,” answered Azicl, “I thank you for your open speech, and will pay you back in words as honest as your own. Gladly would I go, for here nothing but sorrow has befallen me, were it not for one thing which to you may seem little, but to me, and perhaps to another, is ali in all. I love your daughter as I have rever loved before, and as my mind is to hers, so is hers to mine. How, then, can I go hence when the going means that I must part from her forever?” “How can you stay here, prince, when the staying means that you must bring her to shame and death, and yourself with her? Say now, are you prepared, for the seke of this woman, to abandon the wor- i BY H. RIDER HAGGARD ---- ane Aorrment 1008 OT HL mOER nage ship of your fathers and become the ser- t of El and Baaltis?” You know well that I am not so pre- pared, Sakon; for nothing that the world could give me would I do this thing.” hen, prince, it is best that you should xo, for Unat and no other is tne price that yeu must pay if you would win my daugh- ier Elissa. Should you seek to do so by other means, I tell you that neither your high rank, nor the power of my rule and friendsaip, nor pity for your youth and hers, can save you both from death; since to forgive you then would be to’ bring jown the wrath of its outraged gods upor Zimboe. Oh, prince, for your own sake and for the sake of her whom both you and I love thus dearly, linger no Tonger in temp- tation, but turn your back upon it as a SO HE ROSE AND LAID a letter of farewell; can you deliver it into her own hand?” 2 “It may te managed, prince, at a pfice; nay, from you I ask no price. I have images that I wish to sell, and merchants go everywhere, even into the presence of the Baaltis if it pleases her to admit them. Write your scroll and I w'll take it.” So Aziel wrote, cnd, having sealed the writing, gave it to Metem, ‘Your face is sad, prince,” he said as he hid it in his robe, “but, believe me, you are doing what is right and wise.” “It may be so,” answered Aziel, “yet 1 weuld rather die than do it and may my curse lay heavy upon the heads of those who have so wrought that it must be done. Now, I pray you, deliver this writ- ing into the hands of her you know, and re OUT HIS STORE OF IMAGES, brave man should, for so shall my_bless- ings follow you to the grave, and your years be filled with honor.” Aziel covered his eyes with his hand and thought a while; then he answered: ‘Be it as you will, friend. I will go, but I go broken-hearted.” CHAPTER XI. Metem Sells Imagen. Upon reaching the palace Aziel went to the apariments of Issachar, and, finding no keeper at the door, entered to discover the old priest kneeling im prayer at the window which faced toward Jerusalem. So ab- sorbed was he in his devotions that it was not till he had ended them and risen that he saw Aziel standing in the chamber. “Behold an answer to my prayer!’ he said. “My son, they told me that some fresh danger had overtaken you, though none knew its issue. Therefore it was that I prayed, and now I see you unharmed,” and, taking him in his arms, he embraced him. “It is true that I have been in danger, fajher,’” answered Aziel, and he told him the story of his escape from Ithobal. “Did 1 not pray you not to accompany this embassy?" Yes, father, but yet I have returned in safety. Listen. I come with Udings that you will think good. Not an hour since I promised Sakon that I would leave Zimboe, where it seems my presence breeds much trouble. “Good tidings, mdeed!’’ ex char. “And never shall I know a peaceful hour until we have seen the last of the towers of this doomed city and its accursed people of devil worshipers.” “Yes, good for you, father, but for me most ill, for here I shall leave my youth and happiness. Nay, I know what you think, that this is but some passing fancy, bred of the pleasant beauty of a woman, but it is not so. I say that from the mo- ment when first I saw her she became life of my life and seul of my soul, and that I go hence, beggared of joy and hope, and carrying with me a cankered memory that shall eat my heart away. You deem her a witch, one to whom Baaltis has given pow- er to drug the minds’ of men to their de- stuction, but I tell you that her only spell fs the spell of her love for me; also tnat she whom you name so grossly is the ser- vant not of Baaltis, but, rather, of Him wo worship.” “Elissa not the servant of Baaltis? How comes she, then, to be her high priestess? Aziel, your passion has made you mad.” “She 1s high priestess because Métem and others brought about her election without her will, urged on to it ‘by I know not whom,” and he looked hard at Issachar, who turned away. “But what matters it who did the ill deed,” he continued, “since this, at least, is certain, that here my presence breeds sorrow and bloodshed, and therefore I must go, as I have promised.” “When do we go, prince?’ queried Issa- char. “I know net, it is naught to me. Ah! here comes Metem; ask of him.” “Metem,” said the Levite, “the prince desires to leave Zimboe and march to the coast, there to take ship to Tyre. When can the caravan be ready?” “So I have heard, Issachar, for Sakon tells me that he has had speech with the prince upon this matter. Well, I am glad to learn it, for troubles thicken here, and I think that the woe you prophesied is not far from the city of Zimboe, where every man seeks to serve his own hand, and is ready to sell his neighbor. When can the caravan be got ready? Well, the night after next, that is, we can start that night, for tomorrow evening, as scon as the sun is down, I will send on the camels by ones and twos, and with them the baggage and treasure, to a secret place I know of in the mountains, where we and the prince's guard can follow upon the mules and join them. As it chances, I have a safe con- duct from Ithobal; still I should not wish to put his troops inio temptation by march- ing through them with twenty laden camels, or to lose certain earnings of my own that will be hidden in the baggage. Moreover, if our departure be known, half the city would wish to come with us, hav- ing no love of soldiering and misdoubting them much of the issue of this war with Ithobal.”” “As you will,” said Issachar; “you are captain of the caravan and charged with the safety of the prince upon his journey- ings. I am ready when you will, and the quicker that hour comes the more praise you will have from me.” “Come with me; I would speak with you,” said Aziel to the Phoenician as they left the presence of Issachar. “Listen,” he added, when they had reached his cham- ber; ‘‘we leave this city soon, and I have farewells to make. “To the Baaltis?” suggested Metem. “To the Lady Elisea. I would send her bring me the answer, if there be any, be- traying it to none, for I will double at ever sum is offered for the treacher: “Have no feer, prince aid Metem, “this errand is undertaken for friendship, not fer profit. The risk 1s mine alone; the gain—or loss—is yours.” An hour later the Phoenician stood In the palace of the gods, demanding, under permit of Sakon, governor of the city, to be admitted into the presence of the Baal- tis, to whom he desired to sell certain sacred images cunningly fashioned in gold. Presently it was announced that he was allowed to approach, and the officers of the temple led him through guarded pas- say to the private chambers of the priestess. Here he found her in a long, low hall sweet with scented woods, rich with gold, and supported by pillars of cedar. She was seated alone at the far end of the hall, beneath the window place, ciad in her white robes of office, richly Lroidered with emblems of the moon for ber women, most of whom were employed in needlework, though some whispered to each other, were gathered at the lower end of the hall near the door. Metem saluted them “as he passed, and they an- swered his greeting with requests for news, and jests not too refined, or with demands for presents of jewels, in return for which they promised nim the blessings of the gcddess. To each he made some apt reply, for even the priestesses of Baaltis could not abash Metem; but while he bandied words his quick eyes noted one of their number who did not join in the play—a spare, thin-lipped woman whom he knew Suddenly They Seized the Prince. for Mesa, the daughter of the dead Baal- tis, who had heen the rival candidate for the throne of the high priestess whenElissa ‘was chosen. When he entered the hall Mesa was seat- ed upon a canvas stool, a little apart from the others, her chin resting upon her hand, staring with an evil look toward the place where Elissa was enthroned, nor did her face grow more gentle at the sight of the old merchant, for she knew well that it was through him that she had been ousted from her mother’s place. “A woman to be feared,” thought Metem to himself, as he passed her upon his way up the long chamber. Presentiy he had reached the head of it and was saluting the presence of the Baaltis by kneeling ond touching the carpet with his brow. “Rise, Metem, and set out your business,” said Elissa, “for the hour of the sunset prayer is at hand, and I cannot talk long with you.” So he rose, and, looking at her while he laid cut his store of images, saw that her — was sad and her eyes full of a strange ear. “Lady,” he said, “on the second night frem now I depart from this city of yours, and glad shall I be to leave it living. There- fore I have brought to you these four priceless images of most splendid work- marship of Tyre, thinking that it might please you to purchase them for the serv- ice of the goddess. ‘You depart,” she whispered, “alone?” ‘No, lady, not alone. The holy Issachar goes with me, also the escort of Prince Aziel—and the prince himself, whose pres- ence is_no longer desired in this city.” Here he stopped, for he saw that Elissa was about to faint and whispered “Be not fcolish, for you are watched. I have a letter for you, lady,” he continued in a Icuder voice, “if it will please you to ex- .amine this precious image in the light, you will no longer hesitate or think the | price too high,” and bowing low, he led the way behind the throne, whither Elissa followed him. Now they were standing beneath the window, | they faced, and hidden from the gaze of the women by the gilded back of the high seat. “Here,” he said, thrusting the parch- ment.into herphand; “read quickly and re- s .the roll from him, and as Ted'‘the lines her face fell in and her lips grew pale with anguish. “Be brave,” murmured Metem, for his heart was stirred to pity. “It is best for all that he should fo." “For him, perchance, it ig best,” she an- swered, “but what of me? Oh, Metem, what of me?” “Lady,” he said, sadly, “I have no words to soothe yout sorrow save that the gods have willed it thus.” “What gods? she asked, fiercely. “Not those they bid me worship.” She shud- dered and then went on. ‘“Metem, be piti- ful. Oh, if ever yon have loved a woman, or have been loved of one, for her sake be pijiful. I must see him for the last time in farewell, and you can help me to it.” “I? In the name of Baal, how?” “When do you leave the city, Metem?” “At moonrise on the night after next.” “Then an hour before moonrise I will be in the temple, whither 1 can come by the secret way that leads thither from this palace, and he can enter there, for the lit- tle gate shall be left unbarred. Pray him to meet me then for the iast time.” “Lady,” he urged, “this is but madness.” “Madness or no, it is my will, and be- ware how you thwart me in it, Metem, for at least I am the Lady Baaltis, and have power, and I swear to you that if 1 see him not you shall never leave this city jiving.” “A shrewd argument and to the point,” said Metem. “Well, I have prepared my- self a rock-hewn tomb at Tyre, and do not wish that my graven sarcophagus of best Egyptian alabaster should be wasted.” “AS assuredly it will be if you do not obey me in this matter, Metem. Remember, an hour before moonrise at the foot of the pillar of El in the inner court of the temple.”” As she spoke Metem started, for his quick ears had caught a sound. “Lady,” he said, in a loud voice, as he led the way to the front of the throne, “you are a hard bargainer. Were there many such a poor trader could not make a living. Ah, here is one who knows the value of such priceless work,” and he pointed to Mesa, who, with folded arms and downcast eyés, stood within five paces of the throne, nearer than which she was not allowed to come. “Lady,” he went on, addressing her, “you will have heard thi price I asked. ‘Say, now, is it too much “I have heard nothing, sir. I stand here waiting the return of my holy mistress that I may remind her that the hour of sunset prayer is at hand.” “Would that I-had so fair a mentor, ex- claimed Metem, “for then I should lose less time.” But to himself he said, “She has hard something, though I think but little. Well, judge between us. Is eighty golden shekels too much for these images that have been ‘bless2d and sprinkled with the biood of children by the high priest of Baal at Sidon Mesa lifted her cold eyes and looked at them. “I think it too much,” she said, “but it is for the y Baaltis to judg>; who am I that I should open my lips in the presence of the Lady Baaltis?” I have appealed to the oracle and it spoken against me,’’ sald Metem, inging his hands in affected dismay. “Well, I abide the result. Lady, you of- fered me 50 shekels, and for 530 you shall take them, for the honor of the holy gods, though in truth I lose 10 shekels by th2 bargain. Give you order to the treasurer and he will pay me tomorrow. And now, farewell,” and bowing till his forehead touched the ground, he kiss2d the hem of her robe. Elissa bent her head in acknowledgment of the salute, and as he rose her eyes met his. In them was written a warning he could not fail to understand, and, al- though ske did not speak, her lips seemed to shapa the word, ; “Remember.” Ten minutes later Metem stood in the chamber of Aziel. “Had she the letter, and what did she say to it?” asked the prince, springing up almost as he pass2d the threshold. “In the name of all the gods of all the nations, I pray you not to speak so loud,” answered Metem, when he had closed the door and looked suspiciously around him. “Oh, if ever I find mys2lf safe in Tyre again I vow a gift, and no mean one, to 2ach of them ‘that has a temple there, and they ar2 many,, for no single god is strong enough to bring me safe out of this trouble. Have I seen the Lady Elissa? Oh, yes, I have seen her, and what think you that this innocent lamb, this undgfiled dov> of yours, threatens me with now? Death! Nothing less than death if I_will not carry out her foolish wishes. More, she nitans the threat, and has the strength to fulfill it, for to the Lady Baal- tis is given power over the lives of men or, at the least, if she takes life, nore question the authority of the goddess. Un- less I do her will I am a dead man, and that is the reward I get for mixing myself up in your mad love affairs. kc “Hold!” broke in Aziel, man, what is her will.” “Har will is—what think you? To meet you in farewell an hour before you leave this city, and as my throat is at stake, by Baal! it shall be gratified if I can find the means, though I tell you that it is madness and nothing else. But listen to the story,” and he .rep2ated all that had passed. “Now,” he added, “are you ready to take the risk, prince?” “I should be a coward, indeed, if I did not,” answered Aziel, ‘“‘when she, a woman, dares a heavier one.” “And I am a coward, that is why I take it, for otherwise I also must dare a heavier one. But what of Issachar? This meeting can scarcely be kept a secret from him.” Aziel thought a while and then said: “Go, f2tch him here,”’ and Metem went, to return presently with the Levite, to whom, without further ado, the prince told all, hiding nothing. Issachar listened in silence, and when both he and Metem kad done speaking, said: “At last, I thank you, prince, for being open with’ me, and now without more words I pray you to abandon this rash plan, which can end only in pain, and per- haps in death.” “Abandon it not, prince,” said Metem, “seeing that if you do it will certainly end in my death, for the girl is mad and will haye her way, or if she does not, than I must pay the price.” “Have no fear,” answered Aziel, smiling. “Issachar, this must be done or—” “Or what, prince?” “T will not leave the city. It is true that Sakon may thrust me from it, but it shall b2 as a dead man. Nay, waste no words. Since she desires it I must and will meet the Lady Elissa for the last time, not as lover meets lover, but as those meet who Part forever in the world.” “You say so, princ3? Then have I your permission to accompany you?” “Yes, if you wish it, Issachar, but there is danger.” “Danger? What care I for danger? The will of God be done to me. Ho be it, we will go together, but the end of it is not with us. “and tell me, CHAPTER XII. The Trys Two days had gone by, and at the ap- pointed hour three figures, wrapped in dark cloaks, might have been seen walking swiftly toward the little entrance of the temple fortress. Although it was near to midnight, the city was Still astir with men, for news had reached it that Ithobal was advancing at the head of tens of thousands of the warriors’ of the tribes, and that within the next, few days siege would be- gin. Late as it 7was,,the council had been but just summoned to the palace of Sakon to consider the':conduct of the defense, while in every street stood knots of men engaged in .anxfbus discussion, and from many a smithycame the sound of arm- orers at their work. Here marched parties of soldiers of eto Traces, there came along strings of mules laden with dried fish and griin; yonder a woman beat-her breast and wept*loudly because her three sons had just been impressed by order of the council, two of them to serve as arch- ers and the third to carry blocks of stone for the fortifications. ‘Passing unnoticed through all this press and tumult, Aziel, Issachar and Metem en- tered the winding passage in the temple wall and came to the little gate, Metem tried it ard whispered: “She has kept her word; it 1s unlocked. Now enter to your love tryst, holy Issa- char.” “Do you not come with us?’ asked the Levite. “No, I am too old for such adventures. Listen. I go to make ready. Within an hour the mules with the prince’s escort will stand in the archway near the small gate of the palace, for by now the baggage and its guard als us a day’s march this accursed city. Will No; I think it is best that stay him, since the farewell cup with Sa- kon has been already drunk. Enter now swiftly before some prowling priest hap- pens upon you, and pray that “you may come out as sound as you go in. O, what a sight! A prince of Israel and an aged Levite of established reputation going to keep a tryst at midnight with the high priestess of Baaltis in the sanctuary of her god. Nay, answer not; there is no time,” and he was gone. (To be continued.) ART AND ARTISTS. At the Art Students’ League preparations are now being made for the annual exhibi- tion, which is to be held on the ith, 12th and 12th of April. The exhibition is to be held this year much earlier than usual, in order that after its close the pupils may be able to put in a month or more of hard work. The scholarship in the designing class will be awarded, shortly before the exhibition, among the pupils who are fin- ishing the first year’s course. This class is now working upon book covers, and the members of the advanced class are doing excellent work in the designing of wall Paper patterns. One of the students has also been making some very interesting stained-glass designs. It is possible that the scholarship giving a year's tuition in the New York Art League may also be awarded about the time of the exhibition. Plans are being made for an entertain- ment for the benefit of the league, to be given at Columbia Theater April 13. ‘It will include many beautiful and artistic tea- tures, and a large company composed of some of the most talented local performers is to take part in it. * eK The picture “Beauties From the Ocean,” which has been on exhibition at the Cor- coran Art Gallery, was purchased this week by A. L. Barber of this city. This painting, the work of Peter Baumgras of Chicago, represents with great fiielity a variety of shells and other forms of me- rine life, and has been much adinired while on view at the gallery. < 1 ke Mrs. Andrews is expecting a visit from Rhoda Holmes Nichols about the last of this month, and it is possible that the well- known water colorist may bring with her some of her work and give a small exhibi- tion. Mrs. Nichols is an English woman, and before coming to this country was Lest known by her work in oll. During her idence in America she has gradually given more and more time to water coior, and has now reached an enviable position among water cclor painters. = x * Miss Daisy King, the sculptor, has just finished one of her characteristic child fig- ures, an attractive subject, which she has executed in her best vein. She is still oc- cupied with the decorative mural painting which she has been making for the Guriey Memorial Church, a tall panel designed to fit in the space beneath a Gothic arch, on the subject “Christ Blessing Little Gbil- ren.” * * * Although painting on china, ivory, ete., is commonly regarded as having rather strict limitations, Prof. Franz J. Schwartz has been successful in adapting it to an un- usual variety of subjects, as the winter landscape in miniature on ivory, which he has recently finished. He has also finished a decorative subject on a china tile, with two oriental figures, which ts well done, the color and textures being particularly good, and the drapery handled with skill. * x There are a number of artistic treats ex- pected at Veerhoff’s gallery in the near fu- ture. Among them ar? a collection of pas- tels by Wells Champney, and Carlton T. Chapman’s colicction of marine paintings, which will be shown from the 10th to the 23d of April, an exhibit which promises to be of unusual interest. The dis; play of Paul de Longpre’s flower paintings in water color clos2s today, and will be followed next we by an exhibition of frederick Remington's dashing black and white draw- ings, which are sure to attract a great deal of attention. * * * Mr. Gustave Osberg, a Swedish miniature painter of some not2, expects to visit Washington next week, with a view to in- troducing his work here. ™ Par Carolus Duran, who reached New York on Monday, expects to pay Washington a visit at the close of his stay in th: me- tropolis. He does not plan remain in this country more than two or three months, during which time he will visit several of the larger eastern cities. mM x x > The exhibitions of the Socizty of Amer- fean Artists and the National Academy of Design are now the most absorbing topics of discussion among New York art lovers, and as artists from all over the country contribute to a certain extent to these im- portant annual events, an 2cho of the same interest is awakened in ali the larger cities. The exhibition of the society, which open- ed last Saturday, does not seem to be per- c2ptibly weakened by the receat secession of a small band of painters, including such artists as-Edward Simmons, F. W. Benson, Robert Reid, Edmund C. Tarbell, Childe Hassam, J. H. Twachtman and J. Alden Weir. The seceding artists have formed an independent organization and will hold a rival exhibition at the Durand Ruel gal- leries, beginning on March 31. In spite of the fact that this rupture has withdrawn from the society a number of the most rdical impressionists, the ten- dency in that direction is still very strong. Of the landscapes shown perhaps two- thirds manifest a leaning toward impres- sioniom, but it is in the direction of the more kealthy kind of impressionism. Leon- ard Ochtman, Francis Murphy, Charlies Warren Eaton, Bruce Crane, etc., still maintain the older traditions of landscape art, and the figure painters are as 2 rule quite conservative, though the spread of decorative ideas is very evident in this class of work. This year the Shaw prize of $1,500 was awarded to George R. Barse, jr.,for a magnificent figure composition call- ed: “Night and the Waning Day,” and the Webb prize of $300 was awarded to George H. Bogert for his evening scene at Hon- fleur. John W. Alexander, who is hailed by many as the pioneer In what is to become a distinctively American school of art, is finely represented, and his “Pot of Basil is especially noticeable for its rhythmic beauty of line, decorative massing of light and shade and low-toned harmony of color. Many of the usual favorites are somewhat disappointing this season, and Sargent’s most important canvas, though agreeably bold and simple, is not a portrait to rave about. His full-length portrait of Robert Louis Stevenson, painted in 1887, is, how- ever, worthy of the highest praise, and this small canvas fs justly attracting much attention. Whistler is one of the artists not represented in a very adequate manner, and his two paintings bearing the date 1842, while interesting examples of his earlier style, would hardly arouse much enthu-| siasm if they bere the signature of an artist_less widely known. Probably very few Washingtorians know that Whistler was employed in the coast survey many years ago, but it is a matter of record, and one of his drawings is still preserved there. He was, however, as eccentric then as now, and after two months he was dis- charged for his extremely irregular at- tendance at the office. Alexander Harri- son, who contributes some of the best marines in the society exhibition, was also connected with the coast survey for a short time. There are but two Washing- |. ton artists represented this year, but their work holds its own in a very creditable manner, Miss Alice Archer Sewall’s por- 3S her sisters is painted Ina low with a very fine harmony of col- or. The grave of the figures [A LHOTEL DROUOT Scenes in the Famous vote ‘Rooms of Paris. ——— ALL SORTS OF THINGS ARE SOLD Is Controlled by an Old and Rich Corporation. WHERE ART IS DEMOCRATIC Special Correspondence of The Evening Sta PARIS, March 18, 1898. URING MY NINE years in Paris,” says an American artist, ‘I have spent regu- larly two or three afternoons a week at the Hotel Drouot. I have seen samples of the furniture and bric-a-brac of the whole world and of all ages.” When you enter the hallway of the long two-story build- irg a cosmopolitan scent assails you. It is not disagreeable; by habit it might be- come fascinating. It is mixed. Hencefor- ward, wherever you may go, in the pure ight air of the desert, crossing the line or in polar seas, in Constantinople and Chicago, its effluvia, like an invisible hand, will pass before the nostrils of the imag! nation ard the mind will find itself drifting back to the Parisian auction rooms. In their uniqueness they are like nothing else that has been in the known world or that shall be. am looking for a trunk big enough to accompany me to Chile,” says a swarthy gentleman. Here in the plebeian halls of the lower floor, the government is selling the wooden case in which the victim of a peculiarly nineteenth century assassination Was stowed away, until such time as he cculd be safely thrown into the sea. It Was a young man who had a valuable col- lection of postage stamps, for which he hoped to get seve thousand franes. First, he was enticed to the posiage stamp exchange, which is held behind the ” #nd-Judy” show in the Champs Elysees. There an appointment was made for him to bring his precious album to Versailles, where he was to receive his mon he was knocked in the head, safe! in this trunk and shipped to the But murder will out, and the assa man and woman, were arrest claimed their property. The thnifiy go’ ernment, to help pay the expenses, ha sold the trunk for fifteen francs. seaside. Greatest Among English. It is not the Chile gentleman who buys {t, but a speculator in morbid curiosity. He furnishes uncoubted relics of crime to rich collectors. The French say that the demand for such things is greatest among the English. An English firm is now ad- Seruising in Paris for old teeth, for which it promises spot cash. teeth, if you need piano key dignant pay of the Boule enough of our relics already! But the Hotel Drouot is not given up to bizarre sales of t Kind. It is properly the auction old and strong rooms ef an ot the i commissioners I auction, voluntary or forced, of pe 1 goods and chattels. It is a rich corporation, with a monopoly from the government, as the habit is in Frane It has perpetuated itself from the days lic: le at public when Francis I began dringing in all man- ner ef art objects trom Maly, which was then the center of the arlistic preduction of the world, as Paris is now. There ara righty members, und around them cluster oficial experts—judges of all thing: the value of a painting of a grea to the proper price of the pink silk. lace morning — w: of some} dancer who 15 bein Then comes the unothcial “black band,” greasy-looking individuais, who run up the bids to suit each other, who watch out for whatever an outsider might really desire to have and bid against him until he is forced to pay twice over the real value, and in other ways make the despair of the ama- teur of bric-a-brac. Take Place in the Halls. All this does not prevent the eighty com- missaires from being called on to preside at the chief art sales of the century—of eighteenth century drawings from Watteau to Fragonard, as in the finest of the sales of last month, of the priceless china, which escaped the wreckage of the Summer Pal- ace a few years ago, of the collection of sixty-eight species of historic laces left last year by a noble lady, and straightway after her death sold out by her heirs—and So on and on, through carved oak and ta- pestries, Louis XV furniture and oriental silks, Liane de Pougy’s jewels and Casa- nova’s studio belongings, and whatever else is fit to draw attention in notable auc- tion sales. All these take place in the halls which open from the corridor of the upper floor. They are arranged so that two may b> thrown together in case of need. They are dingily hung with crimson, and the un- painted desk for the auctioneers gives no warrant of high art. The favored public sit around in front on backless benches, and behind them surges and seethes the crowd of sightseers, edging and pushing, passing in and out and contributing their part to the all-pervading smell. For the very great occasions, such as the Stewart sal2 would have been here in Paris, there is a side entrance, carpeted and having an air of exclusiveness. But art is too demo- cratic, too much the possession of the pub- lic at large, to be surrounded with the a’ mosphere of riches which its rarity d mands in New York. When the collections of the Goncourt brothers were under sale for two weeks together—priceless drawings, porcelain, relics and the rest—all the Pa- risian crowd surged in and out among the neted collectors and buyers who had flock- ed hither from all quarters of the world. Expensive Catalogues. These really great sales are announced long beforehand, and exp2nsive catalogues, oftén with photographs of the more notabie objects, are printed and sent broadcast. Then two days are given up to an “exposi- tion’’"—one private, when you must show your card after going up th2 private stair- case, the other public and regularly on Sunday, that all Paris and his wife may come to see. It cannot too often be repeated that in Paris every member of every class of s0- ciety —from nob'es to tramps, passing-by shopkeepers and workmen—is' constantly lvoking at art treasures which are freely thrust before it. Perhaps this is th> reason he poetry, all the ail that is ideal wide, wide world, n that one “ Mother- A wo- greatest happiness, her greatest duty and her greatest. priv. ilege is to become the mother of a healthy, happy child. Untold thousands of wo- men fail short of this because of + weakness and dis- = ease of their wo- manly-selves. Either they live childless lives, or for a brief spell are the mothers of puny, sickly children that bring them only pain, and leave them only sorrow. The woman who suffers from weakness and disease of the distinctly feminine or- gans is certain to become an invalid. No woman can suffer in this way and be a healthy, happy, amiable wife and a compe- tent mother. " Troubles of this nature sap the strength, rack the nerves, paint lines of suffering upon the face, destroy the temper, make the once bright eyes dul! and the once active brain sluggish, and transform a viva- cious woman into a weak, sickly, invalid. This is all wro It is all unnecessary. Dr. Pierce’s Favorite Prescription is a mar- velous medicine for ailing women. It acts directly on the delicate and important organs that bear the burdens of matern- ity and makes them strong and healthy It allays inflammation, heals ulceration, soothes pain and tones and builds up the nerves. It banishes the discomforts of the expectant months and makes baby’s con ing easy and aimost painless. It guarantees the littie new-comer's health and an ample supply of nourishment. Thousands of women have testified to its marvelous mer- its. An honest dealer will not endeavor to ibstitute some inferior preparation for the sake of an extra little selfish profit “I took Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescrij ion revious to confinement.” writes Mrs. Corda lpepper, of Tanks, Coitle Co., Texas, “and never did so weil in my life. it is only two weeks and Iam able to do my work In most healthy families you will find Dr. Pierce's Common Sense Medical Ad- viser. For a paper-covered copy send 21 one-cent stamps, fo cover matling only. Cloth bound 31 stamps. Address Dr. R. V. Pierce, Buffalo, N. Y. why Paris remains the center of art work and the art taste. It was noticed tt London, at zeen's Jub! that the decoration of the 8, patriot: versal as it was, showed less eye tistic effect than the front of a Paris pork butcher's shop. Englishmen sn-er a low crowd that circulates through th leries of the Louvre on Sundays a days. But the French crowd knows appreciate the bareheaded wome Hotel Drouot the cheap auct mount to the tiful things rich. an t in all its forms; and ever to that com> ir or mat he to see the The Ground Floor. ground floor the after the bears name ¢ prison for soli ment which was built in Paris The az stone on th hia plan,” long ago, and is now to be torn down on a more huma system. A part of the ground floor ts merely the co’ pave urt There the most elementary go on. N. B., disinfect’ your On the benches in the dimly-lig ridors sleep yworn Wandering Wikies, wh mong the promiscuous crowd. in the aftern The men of the rry until front of tne desk, to ¢: the object, if it 1s portable, ke the finely 6. ased cane in gold, which brought ~ francs 3aron Pichon’s sale. Ht is i voice and the of these men that the sale keeps up Things which ure not sold ppear again—and so may those which are sold—for many a dealer who buys 1s obliged to sell out at forced sale. It is the revenge of the whirligig of time. Meanwhile our nine years nter has fcreveriaore in his nostrils mixed and mingled scent—naphtha for preservatic and this general humanity, not ali of which is washed. But sides the Wandering Willies, from time to time some Parisienne pzsses hastily by, leaving in her trail more perfumes than Araby the biest ever knew. What will one not sacrifice for art—in Paris! STERLING HEILIG. -—- 202 Coronets at Auction. Frem the London Chronicle. Some queer commodities find their way into the auction room, but it is not every day that a coronet may be picked up a bargain in a salesroom. This was what happened yesterday, w! a marquis’ cor- onet was put up and knocked down by a Conduit street aucuoneer. 11 18 oaa enouga that such an adornment should find its way into the vulgar atmosphere of furniture dealers and brokers’ men, but that any- body should want to buy a second-hand coronet is odder still. The biddings, it i: true, were not keen. They began at a couple of guineas and went up to £5, at which the coronet went into the possession of some apparently pleb-ian person—certain- ly not a marquis. But then the article was no longer “practicable,” as they say on the stage. The orginal owner, or possibly “an heir or an assignee,” had so little use for it that he had cui it in two and mounted it as a pair of wall brackets, It is commonly supposed that peers’ coro- nets, like royal diadems, are of gold. That is not so. They are of silver, “richly gilt,” as in the case of yesterday's bauble. This particular one bore the hall mark of isl, which suggests that it may have been made for the coronation of William IV. Thet there should be so little competition for coronets in their material form is explained by the rarity with which they are worn. There are probably not half a dozen peers living who have ever had one. They are worn only at coronation, and then, at the moment when the Archbishop of Canter- bury places the crown on the sovereign’s head, the assembled peers and peeresses simultaneously put on their silver circiets with their crimson velvet caps. Indeed, it may be shrewdly suspected that most peers do not even possess this tangible badge of their rank. —_—_<2 Candy. From the Philadelphia Record. The weight of opinion is in favor of a moderate amount of good, pure candy eten by children with or soon after their fcod, and that It is not only not in the least detrimental, but is positively beneficial. It is the cheap sweets manufactured out of injurious compounds that have drawn upon the practice the odium of medical men. Pure sweets contribute valuable force to the human system, and need not be feared. A Chicago physician ims that one can scarcely eat too much pure chocolate. Now, if this authority would only go a litle further and tell us how we are to kvow the pure from the impure, a great berden would be lifted from many mothers, who are anxious te do right and yet fre equally anxious to contribute to their chil- ¢ren’s happiness. (Copyright, 1898, Life Publishing Company.)