The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-08-07
KENOsHA. WISCONSIN, THURSDAY, AUGUST Z, 1862

must have been more attentive to my palat
than my digestion, for what between feelin
tired, and stated with rich food, l became dull
heavy-eyed, sleepy.
Il must not be this way when Frank comes
1 thought IN take little nap, by way c
refreshing myself. His step On the stairs WI
awake me.
So | made haste to draw the chintz curtai
that made my room into sleeping apartment
and small sitting room. Then having arranged
few little articles in this last, l lay down OF
the lounge to sleep.
But what was the matter now-what chang
had SO suddenly come over meP All drowsi
ness gone no more desire to sleep, but bright
vide awake, my gaze turned to the portrait,ant
there rivited. The bright gas-light tell full
upon the picture, SO that viewing it from tn
distance at which l then was, the features
seemed to have come out from the canvass
rounded, delcately moulded and most life like
As l continued to look at it l spoke my tho II
aloud -
Great Heaven! How blind l have been !
How superlatvely handsome face it is Z
l had long thought it handsome, but as saw
it then it was more. Handsome, was poor
tame word: 1t was perfect marvel OF dark
rich, tropical beauty Set on good neck, sur
mounting fine, broad chestwas we'll shaped
proud, stately head. The forehead was high
and rather excessive, and much fairer than the
rest of the face. The eyes were deeply set,
but very beautiful, and even in the picture
burning with strange lurid fire. Lashes OF
blackness slightly shaded them, and richest
brows of the same hue were above them. The
nose was slightly acquiline; and the mouth,
stern and beautiful, half concealed by the heavy
moustache which ornamented the upper lip
The hair of course was jetty, and cast back in
slightly curling confusion from the brow, en-
tirely exposing the temples and ears, with a
complete abandon that was very fascinating.
Over all was something that cannot describe,
otherwise than demoniacal expression OF tr-
umphant beauty, which, though at first inspir-
ing vague dread had still its own peculiar
charm. The discovery of the great beauty of
this portrait awoke so much mingled astonish-
ment and bewilderment in my mind, that for
long time lay there thinking upon it, some
times Gliding myself for my blindness in not
having sooner discovered it, and then absorb
ed in contemplating it'll exhausted myself with
c0njectures as to whose portrait it could be-
where the original was-ifit was possible that
| might meet him. All me- what wild hope
that sureed up within my breast, and swelled
my heart with tumultuous joy.
1.-The promised wife of Frank Conway-I
wished that might meet the original of that
extraordinary portrait; my heart breathed a
prayer that he might love me, feeling that
already loved and could worship him-I, the
promised wife of Frank Conway! Julia Dns-
more blush for your disloy&l cart. But alas
didn't blush-I rather exulted in this new
tide of emotion that swept over me.
AS the hours followed each other, and the
night waned toward morning, l at length be-
came aware that it was long past the latest
hour at which might expect Frank. I was
clad Of it. l was in no mood to see him. AS
| I then felt hoped might never see HIM again.
| rose hastily, by an effort tore my gaze from
! the portrait, turned off the gas and fastened TO
! he'd. The light out and the charm of viewing
! the portrait gone, all my drowsiness returned,
! and in few moments | was soundly sleeping.
In the morning I found that my nights sleep
| had in no wise interfered with my Sudden de-
!, Hight in looking at the portrait on the wall
| That it was portrait | settled in my mind
without question l would not permit the tho't
! that it might be fancy picture. I he last OBJ
iect on which my eyes fell as | left my room
| that morning for the store, was that most fas-
chatting face--as it was also the first on which
on which [ looked that evening on returning
| lit the gas an hour earlier than ordinarily,
! that | might feast my eyes with its almost de-
moniac beauty; and as lay on the lounge,
looking at it, and totally neglecting the work
for the night which l had brought hone With
me, 1 amused myself with hundred airy and
romantic stories, of every one of which the
original of that picture was the hero.
| Now, dear reader, for when was a reader
! not dear pause not mere to say what silly,
stupid oYer-romantic jilt l was, for l know all
that better than l can be told by any one Well
l. passed that evening as | had
! done the previous one, and quite forgettul of
Frank-forgetful that he had not been to see
me for three days. At late hour ! went to
bed, my head-and fer that matter my heart
too-fuIl to OVERLOOKING of the beautiful face
the bewildering eyes of the portrait was in
| love. No denying it yes, was i'll love, and
| declared to myself tor the first time. Never
| before had any one touched my heart, thot.
Poor Frank How scornfully thought of him
how sneeringly l laughed at his honest blue
eyes, and fair, richly tinted hair. Bind fool
that was Sapphire nor gold had no beauty
for me then-nothing but the black diamond
and the dangerous beauty of night. The next
evening Frank came to see me-merry, buoy
ant, and fresh i'll heart and spirit as the odor of
spring flowers; l received him coIdly, but in
the first ardor Of seeing me after our brief sep
aration he did not perceive it. After Il time,
| though, he remarked it:
Julie, little one, what has happened?" he
asked anxiously.
"What has happened ~ l repeated his queS-
ton with careless surprise why, what
should have happned?'
Il am sue don't know, Julia. Nothing
to annoy or trouble you, hope"
Nothing, | assure you"
'And yet, my little girl, you do not seem
quite like yourself tonight"
"Ah, indeed! aud who do seem 2" l return
ed, hippantly.
Come, come dearest Julia" said poor Frank
in rea! distress. Don't speak that way
What have l done for it is evident that you
are angry with me. Is it because | have not
been here for three evenings l explained to
you that it was unavoidable"
Here burst into peal of mocking laughter.
can't express how ridiculous it seemed to me
then that he should for u moment entertain the
thought that my manner toward him was caus
ed by jealous anger AS was very natural, he
regarded my unlocked for lnerrlment with as
constituent, and when l was done laughing, l
replied to his last remark:
why, my dear boy How absurd you are
l never missed you, and until you spoke OF ii
quite forgot that you had been absent any I'M
usual length of time
Frank colored painfully, and looked much
hurt.
"Do you then begin to tire of me so soon
: Julie:" he asked, pathetcally.
Il My heart reproached me for my levity and
heartlesSnesS but wished he had not spoken
with such humanity. was not yet SO far gone
as to discard him for ala insane passion con
ceiyed for a head painted Oh piece OF can
Vass made answer to him, with much OF my
; old manner:
, My dear Frank, don't let US quarrel"
Heaven forbid !" he returned, fervently
Even as he spoke his eyes fell on the Portrait
, l saw HIM grow pale, and a strange expression
of distrust overshadowed his face. With j Wis
+ ole effort he seemed to throw off the feeling G
superstitiou5 dread that had come upon him
and turning to me, he said:
Il never before noticed how extraordinaril
, handsome that head is. A very fine head IN
deed-a rare kind of face-toO handsome
4 man ever looked like that. Such beauty
I fearful In good truth, Julie, fit was anythin
q more than an artists dream put Oh canvass,
d would be very jealous to have 1t so much undo
4 your gaze"
I would you, indeed And why are you 6
sure that it is only an artists dream 2"
>, "Is't more?"
" Frank gasped for breath as he asked the que
e ton, and could scarcely speak the words.
n was Startlad nv his extreme emotion. and hast