Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-02-12

For the 1rst time he now steadily
looked at his companion.
She had thrown aside her hat and
shawl. Her lair, escaping from its fast
ening, lay in disorder over her shoulders.
The face-the eyes--Ernst dropped his
brush. He was terror-stricken.
Ernst again took up the brush he fixed
his eyes boldly on the sitter; he sat to
work; he grew more and more excited !;
touch after touch was laid on; no point
was omitted. His labor was so intense
that he felt his breath shortening and his
pulse throbbing as he proceeded.
"The hour has ezpired-I must leave
you said the girl, and she rose to depart.
Stay, stay in Heavens name, stay
one instant. The eyes-the eyes-I must
have another glance"
She turned her head she fixed her gaze
intently on Ernst for at least a minute !:
then waving her hand to prevent his fol-
lowing her, she slowly walked away.
Ernst continued at the pictare the en-
tire day, without the slightest interInis-
sion, and when evening came he laid it
aside, finished. He went to be1, but he
could not sleep. To use his own expires
sion, those eyes were burnt into him
How would this adventure end2 Would
she be az the Louvre the next day 3
Would he ever dare address herr Vas
his visitor really the same person he had
behed so often there? She was and she
was lot. What could it mean {?
Ernst passed the night, his brain tenn
ing with tGmGltuous thoughts, and his
heart beating with violence all the time
! 4 !
ish and excited. He rose and hastily
dressed himself. His first impulse was to
inspect the portrait. He went to his
easel; he looked on the Canvas His
teeth chartered; bis knees knocked vi
olently together.
At that instant, the woman who had
charge of the room entered with his break
fast and the morning journal
Ernst swallowed q cup oE coffee. Taking
up the journal, the first paragraph which
met his eyes was the following:
MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE Yester-
day, as Mademojselle de Launy, only
daughter Of the Comte de Launy, was pro
ceeding in her carriage to the Louvre,
which she was in the habit Of visiting
daily, the horses took fright near the cor
ner OF the rue de RiUolj and the rue Casti-
glio7ae. AS the postillion endeavored to
curb them, one Of the reins broke, and the
horses becoming unmanageable ran furi.
ously down the street, upsettiDg the car
riage with great violence, by which Mad =.
emoseille de Launy was thrown out upon
the pavement and her skull fractured. She
was taken up senseless, and Immediately
cOnyeyed to the residence Of the OOmte,
where every means that medical skill could
suggest were fes0rced to, but in vain. She
continued insensibie, and after the lapse OF
one hour, lite was extinct
Ernst read no more, although the para,
graph contained particulars of the beauty
Of the deceased, her accomplishments, her
virtues he threw down the Journal. Did
a shiVeriDg seize him? Was he maddened
with excitement, Or struck with horror
Qaite the contrary. He was perfectly
calm and tranquil. His own convictions
were sustained and carried out: he felt a
serious pleasure that q sign had 6eega made
to him.
The following day returned. I found
Ernst, as have said, more cheerful than
usual. Never before had I seen him SO
free from gloomy thoughts and tancies.
10 be sure, be was not gay Or animated,
but he never appeared more rational. His
favorite author was Schiller. He felt sym
patty with anything from his pen. AS
we sat together the morning in which be
gave me the account have now detailed
he repeated from Schiller's dying words,
Now is life so clear! So much is made
clear and plain!' Think you," he contin-
ued, laying his hand upon the table, 6 that
this base matter is more enduring than
spirit? | can now answer Schiller's ques-
ton: