bottle here, and I do hate an alcoholic soliloquy."

But the movement for departure was general, and in a few moments more
the members of the company were wending their individual ways homeward
through the pelting rain.




III.

THE SHOT OF ACCIDENT.
Othello; iv.--i.


The sun shone brightly in at the windows of a little bare studio next
morning, as if to atone for the gloom of the darkness and storm of the
night. The Midas touch of its rays fell upon the hair of Helen Greyson,
turning its wavy locks into gold as she softly sang over her modeling.

She seemed to find in her work a joy which accorded well with the
bright day. Pinned to the wall was an improved sketch of the bas-relief
whose design had attracted Fenton's notice in her portfolio, while
before the artist stood a copy in clay, upon which she was working with
those mysterious touches which to the uninitiated are mere meaningless
dabs, yet under which the figures were growing into sightliness and
beauty.

Suddenly her song was interrupted by the sound of footsteps without,
followed by a tap upon her door.