The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-09-28

ltely refused.
t" But as kindly as was possible, dear I
Franz," she said, when she told me in the e
evening; because he is your friend, and b
because he seemed to feel it SO deeply 4
And-and you don't know how dreadfully f
white he turned, and how he tried to restrain |
his tears. pitied him, Franz and, indeed, {
I was very sorry" And the gentle creature |
could scarcely keep from weeping herself as
she told me. ,
did not see Van Roos for some months
after this disclosure +; at last met him acci-
dentally one morning in front of the stadt.
house, end to my surprise, for the second
time in his lie. he held out his hand.
"a good dsy to you, Messer Linden" said
he, Il hear that you are on the high road to
fame and fortune"
Il have been very prosperous, Messer
van Roos," | replied taking the proffered
hand" more pr prosperous, perhaps, than my
merits deserve. | never forgot that owe
my present proficiency to the hours spent in
your Gtelier."
A peculiar expression fitted over his face.
elf thought that" said he hostiIy, Of
should esteem myself particularly happy"
There was so odd difference in the way
in which he uttered the beginning and end
of this sentence--so much hurry and passion
in the first half, such deliberate polteness 10
the last, that started and looked him full
! in the face he was as smiling and impene-
trabIe as a marble statue.
al, too, have been iortunate," he sai(.
after moments pause. Have you seen
the new church lately built near the east
end Of the Haring,vliet 2"
replied that had observed it in passing,
but had not been inside.
81 have been entrusted" he said, "with the
superntendance of the interior decorations.
!, Ny Conversion of st. Paul. is purchased
for the altar-piece, and | am now engaged
in painting a series Of frescoes upon the cell
ing. Will you come in one day and give
me your opinion upon them :"
professed myself much fpttered, and ap
pointed 10 visit him in the church on the fol-.
. lowing morning. He was waiting for me at
i, the door when arrived, with the heavy keys
, in his hand. We passed in, and he turned
! the key in the lock.
, II always secure myself against intru-
| ders," he said, smiling. "Peop!e will come
into the church if | leave the doors unjust
d ened and do not choose to carry on my
3 art, like gn.painter, in the presence ut
!, every blockbead who chooses to stand ant
v stare at me-"
e 1t was surprising in what disagreeable
Y manner this man showed his teeth when he
smiled.
t The church was decidedly a handsome
t building, built in that Italian style which
+ initiates the antique, and prefers grace and
d magnifcence to the dgnifed sanctity of the
: Gothic order. A row of elegant Corinthian
J, columns supported the roof at each side o
: the nave gliding and decorative corniceE
!. were lavshed in every direction the gorge
# GUS altar. piece already occupied its appointe'
[ station and little to the left of the railet
:, space where the communion. table was to bt
G placed, lofty scoffo ldng was erected, lha
O seemed, from where stood, almost to com
# in contact with the roof, and above which,
Y observed the yet unfinished sketch of mas
g terly fresco. Three or four more, alreGd
!. completed were stationed at regular inter
|. walls, and some others were merely outline
e in charcoal upon their intended site.
}. "Will you not come up with me 7" aske
J. the painter when I had expressed my admi
d ration sufficiently; "or are you afraid of turn
ing giddy." ..
i, felt somewhat dsinclined to impose thi
!" trial on my nerves, but still more disncline
,h to confess it; so l followed him up frol
4. aisht to flight Of the frail structure witbo'
once daring to look down.
r. At last we reached the summit. AS hs
r supposed, there was not even room eDoue
ID for the artist to assume sitting posture, ar
he had to paint while lying on his back.
er had no fancy to extend myself on this lof
to couch SO only lifted my head above Il
en- evel of his Aoring, looked at the fresco, ar
av descended Immediately to the flight belo,
y. where waited till he rejoined me.
an " How dangerous it must be," said shu
I dering, "to let yourself down from tn
it. abomniable perch u ...s g.. ..
X. 81 used to think so at frst," he repliet
or "but ! am now quite accustomed to it,.
OF Fancy" said he, approaching close to Il
2 edge OF the scoffolding. fancy falling fro
he this into the church below y ~.
we "Horrble!" cried l. s..a = ...
he ~ wonder how high it is from the lev
er. of the pavement" continued Van Roos, N
,as singIy; ninety feet, ] dare say--perhaps
hundred" 4n.aa5 p. .'J Las9 a.. .....
an drew back, giddy at the thought. 5
vet "No man could survive such fall" 8,
ow the painter, still looking over. "Any SKI
led would ba dashed to atoms on the mari
, / down there" 81
at Pray, come away" said ! hastily;"I
my head swims at the very idea" a,g.. ,.,
the Does III" said he turning saddenIy up
Ter. me with the voice and eye of fend--''dt
an. il Fooll" he cried, as he seized me rou
ion the body in his iron clasp" fool, to tr
be. yourself here with me-whom you hs
ere wronged, whose life you have blasted -