+-------------------------------------------------+ |Transcriber’s note: | | | |Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | | | +-------------------------------------------------+ “A MODERN HERCULES,” THE TALE OF A SCULPTRESS, BY MELVIN G. WINSTOCK, OF THE LEADVILLE BAR. AUTHOR OF “A Western Politician,” “The Fatal Horoscope,” “A Virginian Romance,” Etc. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1899, by Melvin G. Winstock, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. Herald Democrat Print. Leadville, Colo. 1899. PREFACE. HOTEL VENDOME, } LEADVILLE, COLO., OCTOBER 31, 1899.} TO THE PUBLIC: This City, surrounded by snow-clad peaks pointing to and almost losing themselves in the bosom of the Supreme Intelligence, has inspired my effort. The volume is dedicated to “Ouida,” radiant also with inspiration. She lives. The novel is written from my play of the same title. The clergy at first may condemn the _morale_ of my story, but upon reflection I think they will realize the injustice of such a course. There is no religion that does not preach that though men sin, true redemption may be accomplished by honest repentance and noble effort. My hero and heroine go through the valley of the Shadow of Death to cleanse themselves of impurity, and the story of their lives is a living, breathing sermon in itself. I have published my story here for the reason that the generosity of Leadville citizens has made it possible for me to place my work before the public. I trust it will meet with such success as it merits and no more. MELVIN G. WINSTOCK. “A MODERN HERCULES.” CHAPTER I. “THE NUDE IN ART.” Two things caused the great heart of New York society to throb with unusual excitement. One was a marvelous work of sculptural art, where boldness in design and utter fearlessness in execution had almost affronted, and yet had won the plaudits of the cultivated of the Metropolis. Ouida Angelo, a woman in “A Grecian Temptress,” had dared to wring from men an absolute tribute to and acknowledgement of her genius and power. The second event was the announcement that Horatio Nugent, the great pulpit orator, would preach a sermon on “The Nude in Art.”