The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1865-02-01

my sick heart longed for the completeness of
that vision In answer to the earnest questions
of Clemence told her of the strange mystery.
Shechanged color as T dilated upon the surpas-
sing beauty of the figure, and told her of my des-
pair at not being permitted to behold the only
face that could mate with it, 1 felt assured. /
was just then looking earnestly at Clemence
and the quick lovers thoughts came to me, that
[ would substitute her own sweet face for the
yelled one had so longed to behold. l said
nothing to her of my Intention however, for
was quite sure that her shrinking timiditv
would take the alarm. Besides, I needed moth
ing but to take the model from my own mind
to make the task easy one Every feature
indelibly impressed there, and 1 lost no
time in beginning the welcome labor
That day wrought rapidly and well; and
when the wrappings We're removed from the
clay was enchanted at the perfect likeness to
my Clemence. Them how speedily the
marble took on the shape of the clay model! ]
had not single line to alter; and when at
length the work, so beloved, over, my
heart beat high with EMULATION, perhaps with
pride. The twilight had come on as 1 finished
the last stroke. 1 wished that no one should see
it in that dim light; so / carefully covered it up
and went out to meet Clemence who was await
| ing me at our usual TRUSTING place. She, too,
was happy that the work was completed; and
|
the beautiful face of Which had told her. was
her own
Morning came. l went to the palace early
uncovered the statue, and placed it where the
morning sunlig ht cleaned, like glory, upon the
beautiful brow. felt that it was hard to give il
up to the keeping of another, when it seemed like
my own,-O so much more than any other that
my hand had wrought. But this was vain |
shut down the longing of my heart-the heart
that called so loudly for Clemence to behold the
work which her eyes would never look on;
=" For never was the artist but he cra7ed
That golden sunshine of secure renown,
That sympathy which is the life of fame"
sent message to the duke, to the import
that the statue was finished and that wished
him to see it. He came, all too soon; for was
taking Il farewell of my work. 1 heard footsteps
approaching, and, presently, the door opened,
admitting the duke and duchess. They walked
to the statue, and what my amazement, my
utter disappointment, to behold on the faces of
both an ominous frown! Each grew more and
more stern and severe in manner, as they gazed.
1 grew proud and indignant. The duchess; IL
stately lady in rustling silks, and declxed with
costly Jewels spoke first.
''What is this ?' she asked. '.How dare you
do this, Signor Artist?" and the duke echoed
her words, with passion in every feature of his
face.
J" I am unconscious of any mediated offence to
your grace said. ''Will you be pleased to
tell me in whatI have erred?"
| spoke calmly, but there was storm of an
ger rising within me. He caught my eye fixed
upon him with an honest and fearless gaze and
l saw that he believed in my rectitude
| ''Strange!' he murmured. 81 could have
sworn that you had teen making a statue of my
] danO btnr',