The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-22
BIDDEFORD, MAINE, FRIDAY

| snaps, IN cxcCruDle DutCu llste Iltar
less mutilation Of natnre's loyeliness or
might as we'll look for human beauty in
soldiers hospital after battle.
Through the mist, through the smoke an
shadow, and over the trees, there were ey'
searching out the light form of Maria Va
Onsterwyck IN her studio; and these brigt
plcasant-lOOoking eyes enough-werc fxe
in the head of Wilhelm Van Aalst, paintC
also and denizen OF Delft, whose studio
exactly opposite to Naria's on the other sid
of the street. He has set his easel, and ha
work before him-a clever enough artist
painting still-liic objects dcxterously, and j
good repute for his dead game, scraps Of N
NOR, and gold and silver cups. But not
very scdulOus worker: unable to forgct-a
the genuine student ever dOes-that there
world going ON outside his studio doors
HalCa dozen touches, and he looks out o
the window, down the street towOrds tn
market-p place. or over the way ut Maria;thcl
another few touches, and a look in the glas
at his own handsome face, and twirlin!
of his moustachc, u pulling at his beard, o
tossing about Of his long, thick, chestnu
locks. lie makes up his mind at last; anC
perhaps he hasn't much TO operate upon fol
that matter. lie llings away his pallet ant
Brushes, arrays himself in a handsome yelye,
doublet. blue. with narrow silver edging
dons a hat and feather, buckles ON his ra'
pier, and struts from the studio. No more
work for to-day. lie will pay visits; it is
really quite long time since he has seen
his friends-twelve hours or so-he will call
ON Maria Van Oostorwyck, and see how her
lilies arc getting on, and then he will dine
well, perhaps at the Golden Calf round the
corner, and finish the evening there.
Absorbed in her lilies, her thin white
hand supported by her mahl stick, with the
smallest, finest brush ever seen, defining
hair lines flight upon the outer rims of the
flowers, Maria heard not the knock at her
door-heard not the step upon the floor
knew not that anyone had entered her room
was lost to all but her art. until hand was
gently laid upon her arm, and voice mur-
INJURED, accentins tenderly; Incompatible
Mariar
She started up, with quite a little scream,
paler than ever, and her soft blue eyes
open wide with alarm, liie flowers beaten
by a storm. She was a lovely specimen
of the thorough blonde, faxen to the very
eyebrows-a very human lily herself, SC
pure. and delicate, and lovable-looking.
You frightened me, Wilhelm, said she
her first surprise little passed of, and
with but just the slightest tone of re-
proval traccable in her voice. She was
about to give her hand with the brush in
it, but glance at Wilhclm's gay doublet
and the thought of however ~ little a
streak of cream white would soil it, stopped
her.
g" Enthusiast y Wilhcm went on de.
yotee, you have no thought but for this
and he pointed to the panel on the easel.
is il fault p she asked.
mo; but it is reprOach to the less de-
yout.'
To yourself. then? Wilhelm, when will
you work? When will you cleave to your
easel, and DO 10th and sick at heart to leave
it? So you have quilted work for to-day,
and there .emain five good hours of day =
Wilhelm blushed. lie was little crest
fallen ut his reception. Had the blue velvet
and the edging ol silver so small an effect rs
this?
Il have nearly finished the picture iof the
dead falcon and the lewellcd Goblet
Maria shook her head sorrowlully.
You have not finished ii Us it should be
finished, Wilhelm. You may leave of work
You may 90 from your easol-you may
barter it for good prico-bnt yon will yet
know in your heart that it is not work
such as should bear the name Of Van Aalst
Why will you paint only for to-day, for the
present hour, to supply your needs, and heed
nothiug else You must wish to live, Will
helm to be something in the future, to have
yonr name honorcd, md your words cherish
cd. You owe this to yoarSelf Paint fewer
pictures. and work more.
Il have not your talent, gentle Maria
You have more than my poor talent, VIII
helm, n thousand times. With all my labor
pouring out my life at the foot of my easel
know | cannot approach the genius you
possess, il you would but render it justice.
Il have not your devotion, Maria"
You loved your art, once, Wilhelm; you
had high, grand thoughts about it once
.Boyish dreams.
They might have been the facts of your
manhood, had you chosen 50, good friend
IL was hard upon him-who had come tc
create sensation, to win the admiration OF
the fair enthusiast-to meet 50 chilly wei
come. such lecture upon his shortcomings
Maria herself began TO think 50 at length
and changed the subject.
DO you like my lilies''
They are exquisite, they are inimitable
full Of your own grace, and subtlety, and
expression. You have nearly completed
them"
No, there remains much to do. See
these leaves are hardly touched; this bud Is
mere raw color
There was a pause. He looked from the
panel to her. Standing 50 hunbly and gent.
ly before most marvellous effort of paint.
ing, how could he help great admiration and
love possessing his heart? How could he
hinder them from sparkling in his handsome
eyes? His one hand rested on his hip, the
other toycd gracefully with the silver tassel'
Of his cloak, Maria looked up to him inno'
Gently, read something Of his thoughts in
his face, and then turned away, little
frightened, perhaps.
You remember he said, at length, in his
most musical voice, you remember, Maria,
my first coming here ?-py assumed bearing
my affecting to be dealer, come to pur-
chase your works, when my real aim was to
see you, to become acquainted with you?'
III was a trick, Wilhelm, shameful
trick and she moved away from him.
1T was fair, for loved you
She put her hand To her heart, Us though
she had been struck there. She could no,
speak, but she waved her hand, by her gcs-
ture imploring him to desist.
Il loved you then, Maria, and from that
day have loved You more and more. II
have neglected my art, Us You say, may not
love be my excuse? Let that plead for me.
DO not judge me too harshly.'
She heard hun like one in pain, trembling
and with closed, quivering eyes. He was
about to continue; she placed her hand gent.
ly upon his.
Cease, Wilhelm, entrcat of you.'
'iou don't love me. Maria?' The cues
ton was so musicsllly willin,lv c,r,;li