Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-06-28

who can love such men are more rare anC
precious than aught else in the world.
She watched narrowly the painters face
and the wild eye and haggard looks mad,
her see that the sufferings of Charles wer,
more mental than anything else. Th,
mind was i'll at ease. She offered to 90 il
and work in his room, while he painted
but he stammered out some excuse, anc
declined. 1t was clear that he had a secret
and woman's curiosity was at once at WORK
She questioned him, she coaxed, she was
cross with him, but all in vain, he returned
but vague answers to all she said. Con-
stance became uneasy what could be the
matter! He became paIer every day, and
came less to see her. One day she heard
him leave his room and go hurriedly down
stairs. She ran out to speak to him, to ask
when he would come back, but he was
gone. His key was in his door. Moved
by an irresistible influence she entered his
room. 1t was miserable garret, contain
ing nothing save few paintings and the
mattress on the floor. Not a chair, not a
table, nothing in the shape of clothes or
food. Constance rushed out of the room,
turned the key, gained her own lodgings,
threw herself on her bed and sobbed aloud.
Charles was starving. A few pawn-brok-
er'S tickets lying on the mantle-piece had
more than anything else convinced her of
this fact.
The pain and suffering now endured by
Constance is not to be described. Her
feelings were worked up to an intense
pitch Of excitement. Far from finding her
affection lessened at the discovery of the
STUDENTS poverty, she found it much in
creased. An unearthly interest seemed
now attached to the name OF Charles
She felt his talents TO be great, and in her
heart was sure that he would rise to COM
petence. But at that moment he was
clearly starving. What was she TO do -
She would have rushed 10 him, have told
him all, and bid him share her humble
meal, use her little savings, and thus gain
time 10 work, but she feared to wound his
pride. He had hitherto kept his own Sec
ret, he therefore wished his Suiierings to be
concealed from her. In vain she thought
of any project for relieving his misery,
without betraying her full knowledge OF it.
The poor girl wept bitterly at her own
want of inventive genius.
At last however, an idea flashed across
her mind. She caught up some work she
had finished the night before, and putting
it in a neat parcel, hurried down stairs,
taking with her also the haIi-fnished por-
trait of herself by Charles. She gained
the street, and made her way towards the
habtaton Of lady for whom she had been
working. Madame Pellissier was a voung
widow, rich, courted, and happy. With
every luxury and comfort around her,
which wealth could give, she deserved her
well-being, for she made good use of it.
Fond OF pleasure, she was even still fonder
of giving pleasure to others. Many were
the poor families which owed to her re-
lief from misery and despair. Madame
Pelisser would always give up the most
charming days amusement, to find out the
details OF some tale Of sorrow which had
been told her and she felt, when her
morning had been thus profitaby spent
that the afternoon passed more gayly, more
quickly, more Delightfully."- than usual.
Welcome, Constance she said as the
work-girl was ushered into her breakfast
room. was waiting impatiently for you.
My cousin Pierre is coming to take me Tor
a drive in the Bois de Bouogne by and by,
and want to wear that cloak, which no
doubt You have made charmingly.'
81 hope it will please you, Madame,' re-
piled Constance, taking a profered seat.
'What is that You have in that square
parcel, child ! and why are you out OF
breath and so pale .
It is whole history,' said Constance,
lowering her eyes upon the ground.
Let me have it. You know am vastly
curious. Take this cup of chocolate, and
tell il me at once.'
Constance, taking courage from the
emergency, told, in as few words as posi-
Bile, her history. She narrated how she
made the acquaintance of the painter, and
then how, after nearly months delay she
had found out his secret. Madame Pelis-
sier listened with rapidly awakened inter-
est.
'And what would you have me do,
child . said she, when the young girl had
told her story.
'Madame, Charles Dupont is very proud.
Relief in money he would not receive, but
if you, would only be so good as to sit for
your portrait to him, YOU would add deeply
TO that debt of gratitude which Constance
already owes YOU
with pleasure cried the young widow.
'But 1t seems the case is pressing. Give
me his address, and | will send round to
him at once. But / cannot pay him for
the portrait until it be finished. Has he
any thing | can buy of him!'
He has several little pictures in his
room,' replied Constance, in tone of deep
emotion.
go home, child, and be satisfied. MY
cousin shall ride alone to-day. | will
write round to your protege at once.'
'But, Madame, not a word of me.'
'Never fear, Constance, | know your
good little heart.'