The Empire County argus., 1854-03-04

left. But she carried thoughts with her that she
did not bring, and she was uneasy Uneasy so
had she been for three long years. The struggle
had been sometimes strong and fierce within her
breast; and there had been hours when she had
well nigh resolved to cast the thoughts that haunt
ed her away forever, but this was followed by a
night of tears, and bewildering dreams
How terrible is the gaiety of a fashionable hotel
to heart ill at ease! How hollow seems the
laughter, how senseless the mrth, how vain the
ceremonies of gallantry and pride! Among many
in whom she was interested, and to some of whom
she was allied, Emy's soul was sad But she had
too much energy to permit it to be known and at
the piano, ana in the gossiplng and chatting groups
there was none more lively or sportive than she
Yet this cost the heart terrible throbbngs and
piercngs and the music on the lip had no echo in
the secret places of the soul. She was just finish
ing song in the ladies' private paror when an in
innate friend entered, to introduce gentleman to
his lady, new bride, and Emily saw Bertford
again
Singing cxhausts you" said a lady at Emy's
right hand, as Bertford passed by on her left.
Somewhat" t." was the reply, as, while her heart
futtered, she busily engaged in conversation. Yet
her eye wandered to where Bcrtford was sitting
| When he passed out there was an exchange Of
looks, but that was no more than was common
when fine gentleman passed an accomplished
lady
AT dinner they met again, and Bertford's place
was directly opposite Emily's, by the side Of the
new bride, to whom both the husband and Bertford
were very attentive slight accident at the table
drew from Bertford playful remark to be taken
by any one and the response by Emily, just as gen
eral, was as pleasant witty, covering the acci-
dent with good humor that made the persons in
that vicinity at the table feel more at case The
next day, Emily went, for the last time, to the
artists, and us she sat down in the painters room
she saw the portrait of Bertford still on the easel
a sitting have just been finished
81 met the original of that picture at dinner at
the hotel yesterday" said Miss Cushman to Mr.
Brown.
"Thats just the remark which the original of
that picture said of your portrait this morning., re-
piled the artist.
"Ah. did he q was the response. "What did he
think of it 2" she added.
"He thought it very successful and spoke partic-
1larly of the eyes"
"Gentcmen are very critical about ladies' eyes,"
she laughingly replied, yet exceedingly eager to
know hat Bertford said about hers in the portrait
ellis criticism fdrorable' said the artist, as
though he was afraid the remark he had made
might have been unpleasant to her.
"Fayorable! because, | suppose, the color suited
him. she replied.
"He didn't speak of the color, but of the express
sion. He said the expression reminded lin of Il
cousin he once had, and he showed me her mna-
turc--the tnest thing ever saw set in gold ca
sing, in the back of his watch"
What did you think oft?" said Miss Cushman,
as though she only meant to keep up conversation
that relieved the tediousness of her position.
at was very beautiful-an exceedingly fine paint
ing, and the eyes did certainly resemble yours,n
"Ihcn Eope that cousin Of his was young she
added, s,nilingly.
30 yes" the artist quickly responded; ''at least
ten years younger than should think you are, and
you cannot be twenty-five"
"Thank you," laughingly responded Emily "but
If his cousin, don't think should feel fiat
tered by having my miniature in a watch. That's
queer notion"
so it is, but it is certainly very timely arrange
ment' said Mr.. Brown, as he chuckled over his pun
That hour Emily left the artists room with some
little regret that she was to return more. The
task had just begun to be pleasant and the progress
of the portrait towards completion had seemed the
two past days. altogether too rapid.
| But before that portrait was to be consigned to
the tender morcics of 'Nlr. JONES'" and the ship
which was to bear it far away her friends at the
hotel must see it. They arrived late, the next day.
at the room OF the artist, and had hardly entered
when Bertford also came in He was introduced
and the grace of Emily was never more apparent
than when she received the reserved but exquisite
bow of Bertford. She received many compliments
from her friends, and gaily replied to them, when
suddenly one of the ladies remarked,
"Mr. Bertford is u Stranger and let us hear what
he thinks"
"lts an open question among artists he said
whether friends or strangers are the best judges Of
a likeness"
"Ihe artist has to satisfy the friends,h said Mr..
Brown.
'Truc," said Bertford, land the strangers crit-
csm amounts to little"
I'm afraid yours will, if you evade the ladys
question in this way remarked his friend, who was
thinking very strongly that his bride would make
handsomer picture than even Miss Cushman.
Il think it excellent" replied Bertford, and told
MIR. Brown so two days ago, after sehing tho or-
gina at dinner"
"And she returned the compliment yesterday
when she happened to your portrait on the
easel" said the artist.
Bertford acknowledged the remark, as he glanced
towards Emily, and gracefully bowed.
OF course, a general review must be had of the
qualities of this last named portrait, but Emily was
remarkably SILENT drumming though in fit of
abstraction with the ivory tip of her dainty paraso
on her teeth. She was gazing the picture of
peasant girl, where remarkable achievement had
been wrought in the foliage of some trees through
which the waters of a brook were seen flashing.
"a fine effect remarked Bertford, as he drew
near and took for granted that she was observing
the peculiar art in the picture.
eyes, she replied; but great labor must have
been expended there"
"True, but the artist shous no part Of study but the
grace" added Bertford
There was something peculiar in the one with
which this last expression uttered that impress
ed her. 1t seemed to say thatshe knew she studied
concealment of feeling, and utterly unconscious of