Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-19

1 Thought of my humble room, aud was
clad that they had not found IL. The fact
that they knew me as the representative Of
my fathers family explained to me their
willingness to accept me without other Gre
dentiais for my father had left behind him
the great weanh of respected name, in
lieu of any other l felt more at ease in a
moment; and, recovering my selfrespect
and self possession shook off false sham c,
and became myself.
That evening was an epoch in my life
After tea had been sent to me to ray cham
ber, and had refreshed myself with bath,
| descended 10 the parlors, where two or
three other guests were assembled with the
family. MIR. Tallmadge was noble old
gentleman of the real school of refinement,
a widower, and Marion was his only child.
Her cousin Theresa was spending q few of
the summer weeks with her, in return for
her visit during the winter holidays. There
we're some other people present, among them
n young gentleman, who at once made me
the most miserable that had ever been in
oil my life. Agreeable, accomplished, bril-
liant, an evident favorite with all, and with
that nameless ease which betokens high So
cial position, and no embarrassing pressure
of the poverties and humilities of life, he
was TO me the triumphant embodiment of
lrhdt should hare been. He was my rival
made him so in an instant Not that
was so low as to envy him his happiness
his success, but he was privileged to love
Marion, and that he did love her and she
him l made up my mind was certainty.
He bent over her at the piano, whispering
to her between the pauses Of the music; he
led her out on the moonlighted portico,
where the shadows of the rose-vine played
over their graceful figures saw her smile
and blush beneath his glance until my head
grew so hot and my heart so cold that
wonder now Mr.. Tallmadge could find
within the limits of his politeness to con
tnue to be so agreeable to so stupid, so sui
len, so wretched fool as made of myself.
Marion was kind to me as hostess, but
no more she said so little to me, and thai
with such reserve that my tormeutins pride
took fire, and blazed within me furiously.
She had rendered me hospitality as she
would have done any unsheltered human
being, not as a friend or an equal; so | con-
| strued her maidenly reserve, and thus Silly
| did anger myself until was gladwhen the
hour came for retiring.
The next morning came was haggard,
from nights unrest. The family all spoke
of it, and all feared that the accident from
which had suffered had undermined my
health. When Marion referred to it, l
thought l saw her lip tremble, and pity
/ ing yearning look come up from her soul
into her eyes. For an instant, 1 was
thrilled and happy; the ncxt 1 cursed my
:. self as a vain fellow who mistook woman s
pity for sympathy and interest. was
urged to stay, and make the mansion my
h ONE as long as l wished to sketch in the
neighborhood; but could not, dare not ;
every hour l felt more irresistibly what
had known from the first moment of behold
! ing Marions face; and could l remain in
her presence, fighting down my uncOnquer-
able love, and enduring the misery of seeing
the man to whom she was betrothed enjoy
! ing that which l coveted2 1t was not my
| jealousy alone which confirmed my belief
! / heard one or Two covert illusions to q
coming wedding So / resisted the invite
ton Of my host silenced the cry Of my heart,
and babe the family farewell. felt at lib
erty only to bow to the ladies' but Marion
! held out her hand, and for blessed instant
of time it rested in mine. | did not see her
eyes, for they were bent upon the ground I;
but, looking back after had gained the
road, saw him pelting her with roses, and
poor artist, mad with love and despair,
trudging off into the solitude of lifelong
| isolation. -..... .
was back in my dull chamber, with q
portfolio full of sketches. l labored with a
twofold earnestness-to provide for my little
sister, and to forget that haunting dream o
the summer
AS soon as her present term was COM
pleted, Florence was to come TO me and be
my little housekeeper. We would live &C
cording to our MEANS whatever these light
be and would not consent to hergoing into
the concert-room, as she desired, so must
begin to earn something against the day
when she should come home; that is, come
to our bleak rooms, and make home Of them.
| l completed two pictures, and obtained the
privilege of displaying them in the windows
of a fashionable picture-dealer. They were
| companions pieces, sketched in the valley to
which have referred. Every evening for
fortnight happened in, hoping to hear
they were sold. Finally, when l came,
they were both gone they had been ad-
mired and purchased by lady. did not
| like to ask if my agent knew the name Of
the buyer; but l summoned up courage
and learned it was a-Miss Smith. The
price paid for them was fully equal to theil
worth. went home very much encouraged
sending more to the same shop in few
days. These also found purchaser; q
gentleman, stranger in the city probably
the vendor said.
Well, every one is blessed with sufficient
vanity to take him comfortably through the
world and when found that nearly every
picture | displayed was bought, and that
the agent was beginning TO be eager to have
my work in his windows, l began to nurse
up my self and fondle it until per
suaded myself that l was really grea
painter, destined to honor and wealth.
By the time that Florence came to me
was enabled to rent and furnish three prett,
rooms. / made my studio in the parlor
sleeping on the sofa at night; Florence hat
nice bedroom, with dainty set of furni
ture, and made the fairest little cook an
housekeeper that ever set table fol- bache
lor brother. The child was happy, and
ought to have been. My study was entirel
unknown brother artists OCCASIONAL
called in, and sometimes ladies honored U
with visit.
Amid other pictures which l had dispose
, Of was portrait of Florence. | could hay
sold as many copies of it as | wished, sh
made 30 sweet picture; but did not lik
q to make any of her gifts and graeeS ii
means of my advancement.
! Again it was December, just year fro
tbot Jrno ~ unr oooidanR I a,