The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-06-18
A Model Wife.

American sculptors, residing in that deIiR ht-
iul city, whittier all the genius of Engi and
seems to tend, was one day seated in his
studio at work on an Apollo-for which,
by the way, he might stand model him
self when his attention was attracted by
tremendous trarnpling of horses in, his
courtyard. He looked out Of the window.
and beheld a magnificent carriage, with
outriders drawn up before his door Pres.
emily a gentleman claimed admission to his
studio, and announced himself asthe Primes
di 3. He came to give tue sculptor
large commission. His daughter. who had
been struck by some statues Of the Ameri-
can that she had seen, wished 10 sit to him
for her bust She was then below in the
carriage. Was tue sculptor at ieisuref
Price was no object-ail that WAS necessary
was to crafty his daughter, who was an in
valid - ts.s
The sculptor expressed his Willingness to
begin tile work instantly, and the Prince
making a sign to his lackeys from the win
dow, they proceeded to lift lovely girl.
who seemed about eighteen, out Of the car
rage, and bore her in their arms carefully
up the stairs 10 the artists studio. JThe
sculptor could not repress look, of surprise
at this curious mode Of locomoiion, parti.
cularly as the lady did uot bear the slight
est trace Of illness in her counteuance. The
Prince interpreted his glance aud replied to
it:
MY daughter has been paralyzed in all
her limbs, he said, "for the last lsvo months.
1t is a sad thing. She has bad all the
medical aid in Florence, but without avail.n'
The sculptor looked again at the invalid.
Nothing more beautiful in face or form
could have been dreamed by Phidias. A
face like Cenci's before il was clouded with
the memory Of crime, masses Of rich, lus-
trous auburn hair. framing a clear, pale
face, with deep blue eyes. swimming be-
meath a,friuge of the silkiest black lashea.
Through her delicate muslin robe the con-
tour Of a divinely moulded form was indi-
Gated, and when the young Signorina cast
upon the sculptor rapid glance, soft as
starlight, piercing as electric fire, he felt
his heart leap with a mysterious presage Of
some indefnable catastropne.
She sat. The sculptor worked at his
model like one inspired, and pang struck
his heart as the hour for her retiring came.
The Prince and his lacSeys bore her again
down stairs in their arms The carriage
door closed on her, the horses swept through
the gate. The sculptor did no more work
that day.
Tomorrow she was to come again. He
lay awake all night dreaming of her. Then
he would shudder, aud say to himself, at
is not love, but pity that / feel. She is a
paralytc!"
The next day the same seen, was repeat
ed, with this difference, that the Prince,
having seen his daughter poised by the ar
tist, excused himself on the plea Of bust
ness engagement, saying that he would re-
turn in time to conduct his daughter home.
Poor girl, although the scul ptor was model
of manly beauty, her deplorable condition
was, III her fathers opinion, a safeguard
against any Of the dangers which lie might
otherwise have anticipated. He left the
room, sand drove away in his carriage. A
silence ensued. The sculptor dared not
look at his model, but worked away on his
clay image without raising bis eyes. Still!
a silence. Then it seemed as if slight
ruffie had filled the room. A small white
hand stole across his mouth, aud a burning
kiss was printed on his forehead. With
almost shrek, he leaped to his feet, and
there. with bushes cfiMsoning her pale
cheeks and alabaster neck, knelt the para
lyIic girl, with her eyes inipioring pardon.
81 saw you long time ago." she said,
! IAN Italian woman when she loves knows
no half measure land loved YOU. NV
father WAS very strict with me. | could
not move without being watched. II was
! impossible for me TO meet you or see you.
| feigned paralysis. For two months
( have scarcely moved. In his pity for nv
condition my father relaxed his surveillance
of my motions. lie gratiiied every wish,
aud, as an invalid, excited no suspicion
by desiring TO become your sitter. have
said that love. II you do not return my
love, | can only die"
What answer made the American! We
need not inquire; ouly, when the Prince di
B returned, lie found nothing in the
studio but a clay model Of his paralytic
daughter. The original was nowhere to
be foand. a few days afterwards, in
| small town of France, the Fiorentine Prin.
cess sunk her nobility in the name Of an
American sculptor.