The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-11-06

0 temptation Of going to his studio, T
8 not only allowed her to enter, but fnc
ing her quiet and careful not to dtstur
anything, gave her permission to com
as often as she liked. Never was ther
so happy a child , -"
She looked forward to the days of BIZ
comm! with impaticnce, and was always
ready to meet him with bright smilc
and excsmations of delight He, too
soon became attached to her, for she
was gentle, winning child, and he
pitied the lonely little creature besides
her evident fondness for him pleased
him, and in return for her simple stor,
which he drew from her he began, hal
unconsciously, to make her his confdant
He talked to her of his plans, as if think
ING aloud, and she listened, sympathisin,
with all his varying. moods, and longing
as earnestly as he did, to have him visi
Italy to study the great masters there
He prtted her as no one had since hel
fathers death, and she loved him with
all the ardor of hitherto repressed yet
passionate nature.
The portrait was finished at last, and
hung in the drawing room. 1t was
really fine painting as we'll as an ad
mirable likeness, and it was Bianca's
delight to be prcseut when visitors
came to hear the concentrations of her
favorite's skill.
She was sitting in a recess reading
one afternoon, while Mrs Bartoll chat
ted with several ladies on all sorts Of
subjects, when the name Of Mr.. Perez
val fell on her ear, and she was all atten.
ton
{ He really has genius-it is a fine
painting remarked one lady. What
= pity that he should ruin himself as b.
is doing y
How, Mrs. Mercer p asked Mrs.
Bartoll, carelcssly.
Why, is it possible that you havn't
heard p returned Mrs. Mercer. II
thought everybody knew that he was in
Not, perhaps, an habitual
lrunkard, but on the very verge of ruin
another victim to the wine cup
Is there no way to save him p asked
4 pretty, blue eyed lady IF he were
,nlv warned now, who knows that he
might be saved =
May be so; but who is to do it p
'cp|ied Mrs. Bartoll 1T is rather
l"licate subject to touch upon, and to
1im of all persons! He is as proud as
Lucifor, and would no doubt resent it
highly. Your proposition reminds me,
Mrs Lane, Of the old fable about put
ting the bell on the eat {: the idea is ex-
eellent but the difficulty is to put it in
practice
Very true said Mrs Mercer, and
after all, it is none Of our affairs. If a
man will throw himself away, we are not
accountable for it, aud the conversation
turned on other matters.
Blanca had listened aghast Was it
possible that her friend was on the brink
of ruin, and yet they could talk of every
thing as lightly as if he were not in dan
ger. She could not endure it, and steal
ing off into the garden, sat down under
an elm-tree, and with an aching heart
thought Of what she had heard.
The autumn wind was chill, but she
lid not notice it till the old gardener,
with whom she was great favoritc, see
ng her there, brought a cloak, which
ne carefully wrapped around her, pre-
,entinr her at the same time with bas-
,et of his finest fruit. She thanked him C
With faint smile, but the fruit remain b
d untastcd. b
She had been sitting, lost in painful v
overie, for some time, when hand t
as laid on her shoulder, and familiar .
oice exclaimed, b
well, little one, what are you think &
g Of so seriously y I
Bianca's heart beat violently, for il
as Mr.. Percival She could hardly a
'eak at FIRST, but gathering courage and :
pressing her sobs with difficulty, she i
TERED & Of you.'
He sat down by her side and kissed {
II forehead. What tears iu your I
'esP J be said gently. What is the
after, darling y {