The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-06-04


pass on-otherwise, the young painter pursued bis
labors alone and unnoticed That he is the youth
tul pilgrim whom we frstsaw looking down upon
the campana, may be gathered, perhaps, from bis
costume as well as his pursuit. This is the ninth
day he has been in Rome.
1t was near the hour for closing the gallery and
but few persons remained, when an elderly cen.
tleman of noble exterior, and with the courtlY all
of man Of high birth, passed near the position
occupied by the painter, lovely young creature
leaning on his arm, and tall beautiful but some
what naughty young lady, preceding them few
steps In advance. The attention of the latter was
instantly arrested by the animated countenance of
the youthful student, as he caught at the same
time inspiration equally in religion and in his art.
from the subject and its painter, and approaching
him, she unconsciously began to gaze on his face
as if be had been one of the inanimate heads that
hung around her.
''Why, Eleanor, what has fascinated YOU SOP
cried the young lady on the arm Of the gentleman.
after watching her, for an instant ii amazed
wonder
The lady addressed instantly recovered herself,
blushingly changed the direction Of her ewes. and
for few seconds seemed to study, with perse-
vering attention, an old landscape upon the wall.
Scarcely was the words spoken that produced this
effect, when the young painter, who had hitherto
seemed fnsenSlble to any external impression,
started back from his canvas with the involuntary
exclamation
''Fhe same voice!n
His eyes, as he spoke, were riveted on the lovely
speaker, who, in her turn, regarded him with sur
prise. But her face appeared to have an electric
effect upon him; for, no sooner did he see it. than
clapping his hands together, he said with aston
ishlng yehemence, fixing the while, his full gaze
upon her angelic countenance-
''Titian's Madonna"
What can he mean, cousin? Uncle ask him, 7"
cried the yonng lady, who had been addressed as
Eleanor, retreating to them with some alarm at
this sudden outbreak
He is certainly, strange young man, said
the gentleman; tone Of the eccentricities, doubt
less, Of his pursuit"
HE is, certainly, very handsome" said the
young lady who had leaned upon him. The next
she added, "His gaze confuses me!
Father, shall We go?n
But, regardless Of the surprise Of one, and the
Of the other, the painter continued
to gaze upon the maiden till She dropped her head
in confusion, and turned to fly. Then he silently
pointed to the canvas on the easel before him.
The gentleman had scarcely cast glance upon it
ere lie exclaimed with undisguished astonishment
my. daughters portrait! Laura, lady Eleanor,
look here!"
Can believe my own eyes," said the latter;
and after looking for a few moments at the paint
ing, she turned and gave a puzzled look first at
her cousin, and then at the handsome young art
ist, who seemed no less surprised than the oppo-
site party.
Glow came you By this portrait sir" demand
ed the gentleman, somewhat haughtily.
The youth pointed silently to the original on
the wall
1T is the same" was the remark Of the as
tonished beholder. "A Titan, is it not?"
''None other" was the calm reply.
"Wonderful coincidence! And this is your
copy:"
Il have this moment completed it,
''And did no knowledge of its resemblance to
my fair cousin, here, prompt you to begin it,"
asked lady Eleanor, glancing with playful irony at
the maiden.
MY surprise, lady, at tile discovery, is no less
than your own"
"The copy is the most like you, my child, > said
the gentleman, after contemplating both awhile;
the colors being tresher. and retaining more of
the tint Of life. | will purchase it Of you, sir"
The Young painter, whose eyes had not ceased
to dwell on the lovely pcrsonifcation of his copy,
each moment drinking into his soul her beauty,
like new wine, till he was intoxicated with love,
either did not hear, or was too absorbed in his
daring and newly-awakened passion to regard the
and when the moment afterwards it
was repeated he replied in a tone so decided dis
10 partake Of rudeness.
BUY Buy it? 80, sir. 1t is sacred!"
1T is madonna, indeed-bgt Madonnas may
be purchased, for a trite, in every stall in Rome,
the gentleman with some asperity 81
will pay you one hundred guneas for the piece
It's but hasty sketch, at the best, and you-you''
he hesitated as he glanced over his coarse ap-
parel, and then added quickly, it is, perhaps,
much more than you are in the habit of getting
for simple copies.
lit i hundred guineas more than get for
any picture. This is the first have attempted
for myself"
"Do you subsist by this professon?'
81 hope to do 50, sir
''And refuse the ample remuneration for what
you say is your first piece. Will you dispose Of
t?"
mo, SIR"
"Know, young man, that the portrait you re-
fuse to give up, is, by a miracle, that Of lady
Laura Linton, daughter Of the earl Of Linton,
who now addresses you"
'My lore, said the youth, firmly, but respect
fully, Il will not part with it. So much more
noble as is the fair being with whom it resembles
90 much more sacred does it become to me- AS
be spoke, his eyes rested modestly and reverently
On the cast down face Of the maiden Though
this accidental resemblance, it possesses, in my
eyes, fair boiler character my lord, than il can
challenge as an image Of the Mary mother The
spirit Of a new divinity has now descended upon
It, and inspires each lovely lineament. No my
lord, ! will not part with it."
Lady Laura well understood the plain, bold
words he uttered, and though she felt that she
ought to resent the attitude he assumed, vet She