The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-03


to fulfil task that 1 would gladly have per
formed had it been in my power to do so. But
portralture was not my line / could paint a
sleek spotted COW. or drove of sheep, far better
than the iair skin and golden curls of my darling
Gertrude.
She could not endure the artist from the first.
In vain reasoned with her-all was of no use;
and she used to say, at the end Of every such
conversation, that she wished the portrait was
inishen, and that she could no more help dis
liking him than-than she could help loving me.
SO our arguments always ended with kiss.
But this portrait took long time. Van Roos
was IN general rapid painter; yet Gertrude's
likeness progressed at q very slow pace, and,
like Penelopes web, seemed never TO be com
pleted. One morning / happened to be IN the
room--a rare event at that time, for was hard
at work upon my new landscape-and | was
struck by the change that had come over my
late master. He was no longer the same man.
There was light in his eye and vibration in
his voice that had never observed before; and
when he rose to take leave there was studied
courtesy in his bow and manner that took me
quite by surprise.
Still never suspected the truth, and still the
portrait was as far as ever from being finished.
1t came out at last, and one morning Hans
| van Roos made q formal offer of his hand and
| heart. OF course, it was refused.
"But as kindly as was possible, dear Franz"
| she said, when she told me in the evening, "be-
| cause he is your friend, and because he seemed
| to feel it so deeply. >And-and you don't know
| how dreadtully white he turned, and how he
| tried to restrain his tears. pitled him, Franz;
| indeed, / was very sorry"
And the gentle creature could scarcely keep
| from weeping herself as she told me.
| / did not see Van Roos for some months after
| this discourse. At last, met him accidentally
| in front oil the stadtbouse, and to my SURPRISE
| for the second time in his life he held out his
| hand.
"a good day 10 YOU, Messor Linden" said he
| 81 hear that you are on the high road to fame
| and fortune"
~ have been very prosperous, Messer Van
| Roos,o ] replied, taking the protfered hand
| But never forget that owe my present prof.
cheney TO the hours spent in your atelier"
| peculiar expression fitted over his face.
! al | thought that" SAID he hastily, IL
| should esteem myself particularly happy"
There was so odd difference in the way in
| which he uttered the beginning and lend of his
| sentences-so much hurry and passion in the
first halt, such deliberate politeness in the last
| that started and looked him full IN the face.
| He was as smiling and impenetrable as a marble
| statue.
81, too, have been Fortunate" he said, after
| moments pause. "Have you seen the new
church lately built near the east end of the Ha-
| IngviletW
replied that had observed it in passing,
| but had rot been inside.
II have been entrusted" he said, ''with the
superintendence of the interior decorations.
| My Conversion of ST. Paul. is purchased for the
| altar-plece, and am now engaged in painting
| series of hescoes upon the ceiling Will you
come in, one day, and give me your opinion
| upon them?"
| l professed myself much flattered, and ap-
pointed to visit him in the church ON the follow
ing morning. He was waiting for me at the
| door when ] arrived, with the heavy keys in his
hand. We passed in and he turned the key in
the lock.
81 always secure myself against intruders," ;" he
| said, smiling.d 'People willcome into the church
| if / leave the doors unfastened and do not
choose TO carry on my art, like sen-painter, in
the presence of every blockhead who chooses to
stand and stare at me-"
1t was surprising in what disagreeable
manner this man showed his teeth when he
smiled.
The church was a handsome building, in the
Italian style, which intimates the antique, and
prefers grace and magni6cenCe to the dignifed
sanctity OF the Gothic order. A row OF elegant
Corinthian columns supported the roof at each
side OF the nave; gliding and decorative CorniCes
were lavIshed in every direction; the gorgeous
altarpece already occupied its appointed sta
ton; and little to the left of the rallied space
where the communion table was to be placed a
lofty scaffOdng was erected that seemed, from
where ! stood, almost to come in contact with
the roof, and above which l observed the yet
unfinished sketch of mastery fresco. Three
or four more, already completed, were sta
toned at regular intervals, and some others
were merely outlined in charcoal upon then
own you not come up with meW asked the
painter, when / had expressed myadmiration
sufficiently or are you afraid OF turning
gddy I"
l felt somewhat disinclined to impose this
trial on my nerves, but still more dioinclined tc
confess it: so l followed him up from flight to
fight of the irail structure without once daring
to look down.
At last we reached the summit; as had sup
posed, there was not even room enough tor the
artist to assume sitting posture, and he had tC
| paint while living on his back. ] had no fancy
, TO extend myself on this lofty couch; so / only
lifted my head above the level of his flooring
looked at the fresco, and descended Immediately
to the fight below, where waited till he re
joined me.
% How dangerous it must be, - said I, shudder
ing, "to let yourself down from that abominable
perchn
81 used TO think so nj frst,o he replied, ''but
l am now quite accustomed to it. Fancy" said
e he, approaching C. ose to the edge of the scat
folding, ''lancy falling from here to the church
belOw.n
'Horrible" cried I.
~ wonder how high it is from the lever of the
pavement" continued Van Roos, musingly, Il
hundred and eighty feet, dare say-perhap!
two hundred"
/ drew back, giddy at the thought.
"No man could survive such lall, ," said tho
painter still looking over. 1.-THE thickest skull
would be dashed to atoms on the marble down
there"
> 'Pray, come away" said 1, hastily my
; head swlms at the very idea"
''Does III" said he turning suddenly upon me
with the voice and eye OF a tend-"does it
| Fool !" he cried, as he seized me round thu
here with meme whom you have wroneed
whose life you have blasted-me whom yol
: | have crossed in fame and in love. Down
s | wretch, down. I've vowed to have your blood
d and my time has comeW
1t sickens me even now to recall that despe
: rate struggle. AT the first word l had sprant
> back and seized beam above my head Ill
stroVe to tear me from it. He foamed at tn
/ mouth the veins rose like knots upon his fore
head; and still though felt my wrists strane,