The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-04-29

= Then they came back to where wa
J, standing.
n =" Irene, said my father, " Dir, Sher
t burne has promised to give US bette
c portrait, if you are willing. How is it
G VIII you sit him 2"
c Certainly" I replied, repressing m.
t surprise. "I was not aware before tha
0 he was an artist. -
3 Unlucky words Leonard tent hi
? clear, blue eyes keenly upon me. as i
wondering how 1 had ever heard of hin
before, and again the tell-tale crimson
swept over my face.
And so I never was" he spoke, at
length, as if fearing I would consider
his scrutiny impertinence, until re-
Gently During my late travels in Italy, I
lookup the study, partly from natural
love for the art, and partly to while
away tims, which has become misera-
bic burded and, although have never
set up for portrait painter, or in fact,
had any experience in that line, shall
be only too happy to COPY beauty like
yours"
1 bowed low, as if in return for the
ompliment-which he did not dream 1
appreciated so well-but in reality, to
| conceal no emotion
It was arranged that he should make
| r. L
remained in town, and before he went
away that evening, had learned to
talk with him quite freely. He thought
mo the daughter of his host, and was
safe.
A fortnight passed away, and the
portrait had progressed finely. Morn
ing after morning 1 had sat in Leonard's
room while he painted, sometimes win
ming from him glowing descriptions of
his life abroad, although, for the most
part, he was reserved and silent, busyiDg
himself with his pencils and brushes, or
sitting, watching me abstractedly.
1t was my last sitting, and he
had called me to criticise his production.
Trembling with the happy consciousness
that I was not he thought me, stood
up beside him. It was not Irene San
ford, the mature dignifcd, accomplished
woman, that smiled out at me from the
canvass; but tae girl Margaret, as he
had seen her last, in the May of her
young beauty. There was the finely
moulded features, the soft, peaohy COM
plexion, the lustrous yes and sweeping
tresses; and over aH Hhupg dreamy, in
desc1 babe expression of what had been,
that tod me how he had worked, and
what had been his Inspiration.
"That is not l" 1 said, looking at him
steadily " but some balf ideal represen-
tation, which you have tried to make re-
sembIe me. The expression is too
youthful"
you are right, Miss Sanford. can
not paint your portrait.
And why ?" 1 asked, resolved to
wiring his secret from him; at aHhazard.
" You were not Of the same opinion a
fortnight since"
"Yes I was, and if I practiced decep- |
ton, it was to gain an object, which
trust, might excuse even greater crime.
Once he continued, and his strong voice |
quivered a little as he spoke, Il had a
friend, whom you strikipgly resemble =
You wiz understand me when | say she |
was more than friend-and lost her!' |
"How ?" I inquired again, pushing
him on cautiously and resolutely to
speak the words most coveted to hear.
" Perhaps you wiz condemn me as a
simpleton, if I make you my confdant
but am sure 1 could not have a better
one, and you wiz listen, you shaH hear
the whole, replied, loading me to a seat.
How I longed to throw myself into his
arms, and tell him wSo I was, as he tod
me of his Old affection, of the great blight
which fell upon his Sife, and how ho had
wandered, weary, disappointed man, in
foreign chimes, seeking everywhere the
comfort he could not fnd.
Did you never search for her ?'
asked, in husky tone, as he concluded.
Fl" Yes, but vanity, and I gave up
in dispair. But I have come back to
renew that search, after all these doary,
wasted years, to find, if she yet lives,
the woman, without whom 1 am SO
wrotched. No sooner did see your
portrait, than 1 vas seized with a
desire to possess one like it, I did
not expect, as said, to surpass it in
execution, but feared your father would
refuse my wish to copy it. This,
lie added, going towards the portait,
sis Margaret, as she was, aud always
will be 10 me. beautiful beyond COM
pare, and L hope you will aA forgive
me for the trouble 1 have caused,
when you know, that if should nev-
er see her again, this viii be the only
solace of my life." Il
"But if you should find her."
said eagerly, without needing his last
and she should be degra-
bed, ugly and, poor could you lovo her
stM?"
"Degraded she could never be-" he
proudly; "no scar, however