North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-05-31
Sdett S torp.
The Beauty OF the Crystal
..... - Palace. ... .-
By FREDRICK DUPONT.
CHAPTER I.

.. CHAPTER I. ...
There was no excuse for such an act o.
folly, but could not help it. I was madly
in love with picture, the mere sembaDce o
human being up n the glowing canvass. /,
is true she vas an angel in the mind and
heavenly expressions of her features. There
was an angel in her soul, there was heaven in
her eye.
could mot help loving her. It seemed
not like picture to me, but more ~ though
the pearly gatess of Paradise had opened
and she descended before me and smiled up
| on me.
She was senseless and inanimate to the
reason, but glowing fancy endowed her with
all the requisites of living, breathing loving
angel. She smiled from her canvass throng
and felt that she loved me. My reason
could have taught me that she could not
| speak, but my enthusiastic heart would not
listen to its voice, and day after day, and
month after month. as / stood before my
| idol, l fully expected she would address me.
1t was very foolish of me to think 40,
| know but try as hard as might, could
not divest myself of the pleasing idea. The
picture hung in the gallery Of art in the Crys
tai Palace, and every day for several months
| had been a regular visitor. paused not
to gaze upon other scenes all the glories Of
| the whole world could not lure for an hour
from my blssful homage Of the dear divine
ideal that had won such . marvellous ascen
dency over my heart.
Oh, could have given all the world to
see the living form of the angel of that pic
ture I! could have been her slave, and kissed
the chains that bound me to her
Heaven has given me an abundance of this
worlds goods. | am rich in houses and
lands, in money and in stocks, but | would
have given all, every foot of land, every dol
lar of money, to have taken the original OF
that painting by the hand.
"Fred, what the deuce are you about here
every day 2" said my friend Karl L.ngford
to me one day, when he surprised me at my
accustomed devotion at the shrine of my di-
vlnity.
| looked at him, and he laughed in my face
Perhaps looked "sheepsh.'' have no
doubt did; felt so. ~s
"You are little cracked, Fred, continued
he.
| Ipointed at the picture.
"Eh,"
"Isn't she lovely 2' said !
| Kari deliberately raised bis eve. glass and
with the air OF connoisseur examined the
painting. Icould have knocked him down
| for his GOODNESS. ,.f .s... ........... .. 20
"Passabe," said he ccldly.
"PAssable z" sneered I. .....-
VERY tolerable painted by Grund, per
ccive. .... ........
"Karl you have SOUL" ... .. ....a
81 like that battle piece better over the
stairs. There's coloring for You.
| The stupid dolt ! determined to cut him
from that moment. Prefer battle piecs-a
daub of smoke and red coats--to such an
angel as my divinity ...
"Fred, you are fool !" said he, gazing at
me with look Of compassion. "Have you
been here every day for the last six months
to look at that picture 2" a...-
| 81 have, would have given ten thous-
and dollars for that picture II could not get
it without. But have it," ..s-. ~.
"It is tolerable-nothing more"
| / turned away from him in disgust bu,
that was the most blessed ''turn away" that
have ever known
CHAPTER II.
Close beside me stood the original of the
picture!
| was transfixcd to the spot. My blood
few like torrent through my veins, I was
about to throw myself on my knees before
her, when Karl slapped me on the back.
"What ails you, Fred Are you crazy 7''
said he.
"Do you not see her wildly exclaimed
| "See whom 2"
"The lady"
"Isee lady"
Tho original Of the picture"
Karl looked at her for moment, and then
| turned to ma with o smile.
"She does look little like it.r
| Hush she comes! p said 7, with melo-
dramatic flourish perfectly natural, II /,
| true but it must have looked odd to the
lady and her party, who were advancing
nearer to the picture.
The lady took position by the side Of me
and bestowed her attention vpon the paint
] ing There was Q gentleman by her side
who appeared to be iavishiBg extraordinary
attention upon her, which she bat coldIy
4 received Was ha lnYar2 I could moi