The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-25

hood, that has battlcd with and conquer
cd advrsity; and when the nurse was
gone, she took me out again, murmuring,
II wonder will he know me now |"
heard her come home that night.
II was late, but she took me up once
more and looked at me with strange
Joy, though mingled with tears, yet the
only words heard her say were those
she had uttered once before in the dim
years past-"O, noble heart-thricc no.
bic heart" and she fell onher knees and
prayed. ,...
Nv dear master. tho author Of my
being. i met his gaze once more. He
took me in his hand and looked at me
with sort Of playful compassion not
quito free from emotion.
"And this was how ! painted. 1t was
scarce worth keeping, Lady Jean"
"Mistrcss Jean, pray you; the name
best suits me now, Mr.. Bcthunc," she said,
with gentle dignity.
knew my masters face well. ! had
seen il brighten with the most passionate
admiration as it turned on the lady Jean
of old; but never did | see such look
as that which fell on Jean Douglas now
earnest, tender, calm-its boyish idol
airy changed into that reverence with
which man turns to the woman who to
him is above all women. In it one could
trace the whole life history Of Norman
Bethunc.
"Jcau," he said, so gently, SO naturally
that she hardly started to hear him use
the familiar name, shave you in truth CIV
en up all"
"Nay, all have forsakcn me; but
fcar not, although stand alone; HEAVIER
has protected me, and will, evermore.'
.Amcn.." said Norman Bethune.-
"Pardon me, but our brief acquaintance
few weeks then, few weeks now
seems to comprehend whole lifetime
And he took her hand, but timorously
as though she were again the earl's daugh
ter, and he the poor artist. She, too
trc,ibled and changed color, less like the
pale, serene Jean Douglas, than the bon
ME Lady Jean, whose gillish portrait he
had drawn in his youth.
Norman spoke again; and speaking
his grave manhood seemed TO concentrate
all in its subdued passion in the words:
"Years have changed in some measure
mr. fortunes at least, though not me. i
once the unknown arti t-now sit Al
pnncely tables, and visit in noble halls
! | am glad; for honor to me Is honor &c
NV art, as it should be-" And his face
was lifted with noble pride. "But," he
added, in beautiful humility, ''thougl
less unworthy towards men, ! am still nm
worthy towards you. II were to woo
you, | should do so not rs an artist who
cared to WOO an earl's daughter, but as a
man who felt that his best deserts were
poor compared to those of the woman hC
has loved all his life, and honored above
all the world
Very calm she stood-vcry still unit
there came quivcr over her facc-ovel
her whole frame.
"Jean-Jcan!" cried Norman Bethune
rs the forced composure OF his speech
melted from it, and became transmitted
into the passion Of man who had thrown
his whole lifc's hopes upon ono chance
III YOU do not scorn me-nay, that You
cannot do-but il YOU do not repulsc me
it YOU will forget your noble name
and bear that which, with Gods blessing
| will make noble-ayc, noblcr than any
Of your carls'--if you will give up all
dreams of the halls where You were born
to take refuge in lowly home, and be
cherished in a poor mans loving breast
then Jean Douglas come"
IL will :" she answered.
lie took her in his protecting arms
all the strong mans pride fell from him
--hc leaned over her, and wcpt.
For weeks, months afterwards, nobody
thought of me. might have expected
il; aud yet somehow it was sad to lie
in my still darkness, and never be looked
ut at all. But had done my work, and
was content.
At last was brought from my hiding
place, and indulgcd with the light OF day,
| smiled beneath the touch of Lady Jean,
which even now had lingering tender
ness in it-more for me than for any
other Of her best treasures.
"I.ook, Norman, look wshe said, stretch
ing ont 10 him her left hand. AS lay
therein l felt the golden welding ring
press against my smooth ivory.
Norman put down his brush, and came
smiling to his young wiie's side.
"What do you keep that still -
Why, Jean, what boyish job i Is /! the
features nearly approach Gu. Elizabeth's
beau ideal Of art, as she commended her
own portrait to be drawn-'tis one broad
light, without single shadow. And
look how i'll drawn are the shoulders, and
what an enormous awkward string OF
pearls" .iu+lI -a.E.. a13fl q. /,
Jean snatchcd me up and kissed me.
"You shall not, Norman-i will hear
no blame Of the poor miniature. ! love
it, tell you-and you lore It, too. All,
tbc,o ~ cod sbo b,ld MN pIavf,,IIy a, vur