The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-07-12

returned 10 my task, fer was reSiles.
and unhappy. 0lsen when She drew
her hand from mine | followed Il with
a firm clasp, and prayed for the riehl
Of keeping u forever; yel at these
times she would turn away with liz
ile laugh, ard then bid ms "wait. "-
J Stranger stu 10 ms then, was lle lit
tie knew Of oae who had my life in
her keeping. Even when / asked
her name, she answered, pointing 10
the picture, You may call me Gather.
ine.' ] questioned her 10 more
"At length the picture was compile
ted. ! was satisfied. though no, en-.
. lirely 80. The work vf lhe lasi few
4 weeks seemed 10 haIg destroyed all
Tim ! had d0ne beforr4 ihe face 10
longer looked at me with The light my
eager brush had first bestowed upon
il. 1t was not less a portraii--on the
contrary, the resemblance appeared to
have increased / Lowell il stiil-per-
haps more than ever for is beauty
was, IL possible, heightened, and Il
spoke 10 nae with softer tenderness
! Still il vas changed. In my eager
ness TO know lis fate, | did not wait
until the colors dried, but despatched
a messenger at once to the address
which its purchaser had left with me-
in the meantime employed myself
IN preparing for this terrible reeep-
tion. ! disposed the light carnfully.
regulated the disorder of my room, and
wishing, in my silly vanity, TO study
the force Of a first impression, cover
ed the painting with a veil.
Scarcely had / in this manner laid
the last Offering on the alter Of my
idol, than | heard step upon ttx
stairs. ] cannot tell you al that
endured in tie next few moments
my temples tbrobbed painfully, and !
replied to the knock at my door in
voice husky with emotion. had 10
repeat the words before my first and
last patron heard me, and entered the
room, lie was a man of middle age.
and combined in his manner IN APP
pearance Of hearty good humor with
an ar OF unmistakable nobility. The
greeting he bestowed upon me was
cordial and encouraging, and lie ask
ed, in loud, cheerful voice, how my
work had prospered. | Ireplied that |
intended leaving that resolution to bis
Judgement and as placed him in
suitable light, be smiled kindly, and
assured me that | need not fear his
severity. | remember also that as he
took his seat he said, laughingly;
"fTlie coart is open N
Perhaps, my father, | weary you
with these details /; but you will for
give me when you remember that
they express only the natural minute.
ness Of man who has little more to
observe and less to tell. AT Il reas-
suring glance from the generous face
opposite me | drew aside the clot h
hastily, as We snatch the iron from
wound, and, casting my eyes on the
ground, | waited.
There ensued few moments of
profound silence silence which nv
visitor was the first 10 break.
"'ls that face conception of your
own?
"'l'he tone in which these words
were uttered induced me to look up
The speaker had risen from bis chair
and had advanced towards tile picture,
in front Of which he stood, pale, calm,
and motionless.
"Again--is that face conception
of your own?
"No, signor'
"'You bad model, doubtless 2
~ had.'
"'His eye glanced rapidly round |
the room, again to the picture, and |
then from the picture 10 my face. My |
head sank before that impossible
glance shuddered, fos this silence |
seemed terrible to me. Alter long
pause, The calm voice spoke again.
"'Uf the same z
II raised my eyes, and saw that my |
interrogator held in his hand a pain 1
miniature, which he had taken from I
the table. bowed my head in an I
swer 10 his question, and he went on
"How long have you worked at
this piciure?' 2
"'Since last saw YOU
"'But pot always from the modeli
II hesitated.
"Answer me-
".Yes--always.'
"She came, then. frequently
"'Daily, Signor.'
"Ihe next words were spoken il
trembling voice.
"tHer name 2
This abruptness irritated Epe, and /
remained silent.
"Her name z
81 do not know
again my qnesiioner 6&ed lis
eyes upon me; bal this time return
ed lieir gaze. lie commenced pae-
ing 10 and fro ACROSS tie room. aud
then passing abruptly, spoae il low,
sad voice:
al win tell you.
"What z
".Her name.
81 Ynu Enntv I.er then 2,