The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-11-23

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iron . Sheif-an ancient picture, the design
s OF which could jus, be discovered ,hrnng %
smoke and sin-s cf sisne.
Ills visitor reached his hand out nervous,s
aud graspei tha painting. : ilaw much {
how much z" be eagerly eyesaimei alter
examioing j. closely, sswha. viii you take
for th;s.n
81 .Icannoi sell il, 2 replied tn. artis: ccldiy.
81 aili sise you four halassa for il, }" tie
ed man said hesitatingiy.
Soar thousand could net buy it, was
the rrompt answer.
:Pshaw | will g,ve you two thousand =
The painter shook his head. + .ts
',Four thousand.n
cLord Eigin has already offered nee Eve
thousand. -
..lla. pns it down then at six thousand.
! viii pay y2u in cash."
81 kaqw it is Of great va'ue,' replied the
I artist, ssbecause il is the oaly work exiant
of the kind. and the production Of one Of
i the oid masters. ! an. ambis.eus to keep IL
in my possession. and although am not
wealthy, as tell you, nothing vii. tempt
me TO part with it at present.
"Nery we'll exclaimed the old gentleman,
bending his tall figure TO serntinize the
painting again. 'then | suppose must be
canttnted wlth the copy. You will do me
4 the favor 10 call on me this evening as You
promised my niece, who is by birth an
American Indy. has often wished to be in-
tgoducei to her talented eouutryman.
/ The artist bowed assent, and his patron
icft him.
! Edwin Ager strode rapidly back and forth
in the richly furnished studio. His mind
vas far from its occupatiop, although every
few moments be would cease bis walk aud
change the position Of a statue, that the
/ Eight might fall upon i, more softly, or trace
some imaginary line of beauty with his fin.
ger upon the half covered canvass that stood
/ in the centre Of the room.
! Eyes, | am exalted-l, the once neglected
sailor; the poor man. OF wars man" he ut
tered audlbly: '.the great and the pow erf al
court my company. | am comparatively
! Independent, and. had | some object for
which to labor, might coin weal,h. But
am alone, and determined TO be forever,
for | cannot love /; and yet my dream," ex.
claimed suddenly, ''why should it not be ALL
fulfilled -
a gay party In Pembcrton Square awaited
imratiently the entrance Of Edwin Aser.
whose few but choiee productions in the
late exhibition had elected almost exsrava-
CANT admiration. Sir Edward Perdins, the
old baronet in whose house they were as
sembled, sat near the blazing FIRE. ana before
him stood his lovely nsiee, simply yet richly
attired. with one soft hand resting on the
back of his chair, while she was eagerly
listening to his description Of the old pie
ture. ' @
II declare to you my love. would give
almost my fortune to rossessi it, for / see by
an old illuminated manuscript which have
that it is by Flemish master-his name
has passed from memory now: by the
description, am certain that must be cor
rect. only hope young Alger will not be
bribe: by Lord Elgin to part with it to him
he has already superb collection.o
At that instant the door was opened and
the expected artist announced The young
lady was introduced, glad, frank smile
lighted up her features as she held forth
her hand. Alger turned deadly pale; for q
j moment the room swan round and his brain
reeled. in this beautiful being he had re-
cognized Emeline MPherson. bu, she had
forgotten bin. Nevertheless, she was struck
with his appearance more interested than
she had ever been before in a stranger and
when they parted there was sweetness in
4 her "farewell' and sudden tinge on her
1 fssr cheek that gave glorious dreams to the
slunbers of her worshppcrs.
Weeks and months passed by. Alger had
won the fair American: it needed only the
consent of her proud uncle to make them
the most blessed Of mortals. ...-. 40 . s
$50 you are still stubborn' said the old
baronet one day, alludihg to the picture +;
"yon will not part with it ?''
.'Gre me the price | ask, and it is yours, y
said Alger. .s.aw .a
shame it, young man !" exclaimed the
haronet, eagerly grasplng him by the
shoulder.
'The hand of your neice," whispered AL
ger, hardly above his breath.
"An unexpected honor, truly said the
| taronet heartily: ''my dear SIR, take her !:
/ | shalIbe proud of the connection; so young.
50 successful, who knows to what height
you may attain. Shells too republican TO
marry title and if you love her-why, wed
| her: utwhcrever you go, remember, claim
the picture.'
/ twas not long before there was wed.
! ding at The barenet's princely mansion, and
! Alger, being strongly pressed to proloug
/ his stay iu London, consented to pass fcw
wears more among those who had so well
! arrrecia.ea his genius. Riches poura into
! h; : c6ilers. his wife was s'a fortune'' as it
is termed, but to him fortune in herself
alone. ASS -..
sWhy do you wear such n puzzled look.
my dear 80 be asked Emeline one day as
she sat gazing strangely at him.
,s"Wbv. ever since | knew you, she re.
nIied. s'there has been at times an express
sion on your face that reminds me Of some
thing. can't remember what. If YOU can
make that ous," she added laughlngiy.
Her husband smiled mysteriously.
"Something that must have happen ed
when l was very young. is connected with
that singular Jet joyful expression here !,
that is il, now your eye flashes; ! wish
| could think"
.sBc thinking. my dear, whileI leave you
for few minutes" he replied, as he left
the room. --aa. s.a.s s-l--,. .
| Ia short time servant came to tell her
that her husband wished her to come into the
little East room.
/ II vas fasori,e, cczy place. where the
newly married pair cf;en sat together, over
I looking the Thames, with lis burdens Of
treasures.
AZ she opened the door she stood dumb
+ With asssnishnen.: the room had been
fitted up SO that il resembled portion Of q
1 ship. The great oaken chest was parade1
with oran lid against the wall. aud there
.sesd jack Halliday. ,arpaulin on his
head, asi navs collar. worked with white
stars, thrown from his saslr moulded
throat.
.My husband can il be possible? e1ciain-
- Ftrriine. sfrir-iu- forw ard. and fslfing
apSn his bososs ssrow remember all.'
.Ana now nv precious wife, can sruss
Z II 49, ~, 4 4.La.