The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-09-06


his scattered pencils. That earnest, pas
sionless gaze recalled the dreamer to him
self. The fair face turned towards him,
was lighted by SO peaceful and guileless a
light. that the reality of her presence faded
from tsle ideas of Van Dyck; and the holy
vision OF the Saviour's mother rose before
him again. Bending reverentialls before
her, as he approached the easel, the artist
continued his task with a faltefang hand;
but the calmncss of his fair model COM
muncated itself to him by degrees. as he
procaedcd; at It's close, that midnight hour
found not two hearts beating. within the
Palace walls, more evenly with inward
peace than those drawn together in that
silent WORK. Four hours had passed, and
the early morning light fell upon the pale
features of the artist as he turned towards
his noble model, and laid his palette in ST.
lence at her feet. The task was ended;
work of beauty and inspiration. glorious
In its majesty, was given to the world, to
become hereafter the guiding star to the
fame of Van Dyck. A sense of the reali-
ty OF the passing scene rushed back upon
the young mans heart, as he turned to
meet the clear, calm gaze of the Scottish
maiden; and stretching out his hand i'm
plorlngly, he stood struggling 10 frame
some expression of wand ring graf
itnde, for the boon thus strangely granted
him; bI:, as if conscious of his intention,
Dorothna rose, and drawing round her
slight form the folds of her veil, bent a
long, earnest look on the noble revelation
Of the Virgin Mother, and. without word
of adieu or explanation OF her silence, gil
deI from the chapel, across the Palace
grounds, and ascending the stone staircase,
disappearing at the window from whence
she mad emerged.
Alas! for the poor visionary! For
moment ne stood watching that form pass
from his sight, with the last struggling
remnant of his wild hopes; and then over
come with exhaustion and excitement, fell
on the vacant couch, he rushed to gaze
upon his wo:k; and lis glorious beauty
struck upon the hear OF It's ere itor, all
aspiring were his visionings. a dream
OF fam1, OF glorious distinction, rose before
him; and then a sudden thought by whose
aid he hal al .anc-d on tl4t high path
OF fortune. The painter fell on his knees
before his cfeItIol, and wildly bursting
tears were his acknowledgements.
The close of an hour had brought COM
posure and Van Dyck rose from his couch
with firm step and flushed brow. Who
can tell what had been the ponderings of
that hour i'll the teemng brain of the future
noble master of imagery! He seated him
self before his wrlung materials, and, with
an untremoling hand, traced few lines;
and then. as il fearful ofther consideration,
hastily securing them with their slken
string, went forth from his monaslic studio,
and among the busy, stirring world.
1t was the province OF the Grand Ouch
ess D'Almy to open the blllets addressed
to the noble malden's under her charge;
and that morning one was delivered 10
her, bearing the name of Lord Ruthven' 5
fair daughter, the young Dorothea. It's
perusal afforded the bewildering discove-
ry of the following lines:
Tell me If thou art indeed an angel
Tell me-if thoL wouldst not drive me
senseless thou, who hast given me life
and hope-waSt thou a woman, or an
angel OF light, that burst upon my sight
last night! VAN DYCK.
For an instant sat the stately monitress,
gazing upon the words, asking question OF
hes oItrIgaI dignity, wnsthef tn1 meaning
worst, breach of courtly etiquette. Bui
with the th )u5 5ll, cam a suilen recoliec-
ton of the painters singular introduction
the dav before, and i vivid remembrance
Of the halt-velled slrcasms of the sighted
companions OF the fair culprit. 1 % de-
eide was to act, and the presence of the
young girl was commanded before heI
INDUSTRIES. Few words of explanation
suliiced, aud the tale of deception poured
into the listeners ear, betrayed the Ouch,
ess's cognizance OF the scene of the pas
night. a deep flush overspread the fail
| cheek of Dorothea, as it was followed by
volley of vituperation from the beautiful
lips of her scornful friends; and the large
tears stood in her downcast eyes.
And now your defence,' broke from the
qulvering lips of the stern monitress.
Then, and for the first time, the voice
of the culpfit rose above the murnIuring o
her accusers-.H Is false"
momentary silence fell on ali that firm
denial III the face of proof. The Duches
had expected TO have been met with tear
and prayers for pardon; and then in he
proud dignity, TO have cast from her tn
clinging form of the pleader; but at tn
defiant tone of the detence-at the over
throw of her pictured exultation-burs
forth the fierce fire of the smoulderin
passion. The story of the deception ram
, through the palace, calling for judgment o.
, the offender. Each hand held the ston