New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-23


were her words.
felt that she followed me with curious
gaze as | left the room.
He lay on the sofa; his head was bound
with handkerchief, and. looking at him,
for the first time, | really saw him HIS
eyes, now looking unnaturally large, were
| gray, with varying sea-green for the
lowest depths, and they looked gravely at
me, holding my gaze as a child will do.
He motiJued me to a seat near him. and
L sat down, sense of shame for my inhos-
plta6le thoughts coming over me.
Even sick man is hardly to be par
| doned an intrusion into such place as
this" he said, in a low melodious voice
land do not wonder that trouble you
| greatly. Is there hotel near?o
"They are all closed at this season."
/ am sorry"
He shaded his eyes with his hand, and
| looked from the window.
For the first time, spoke with heartfelt
emphasis, and some indescribable ilumina.
ton burned across his face as he heard me.
then fed, leaving the pallid refinement, the
patrician curves, in weary quiet.
o. thank You" he said. in his subdued.
still manner. 1t is true that can not
well leave in such storm until | am
stronger. Until then l must crave your
| kindness. was tearlully i'll a short time
ago; therefore the slight accident which has
betallen me has bad the effect you see.D
lie ceased speaking, and [ who had
nothing to say, sat silent, with eyes dropped
to my lap, where my hands lay in listless
position.
My horse p
' lie is taken care Of replied.
have in. my thoughts done you injus-
tee, he said. You had a right to con-
sdered your house yonr castle"
On the contrary, had no right, said
humbly, Il was not even as hospitable as
Il barbarian"
Il do not wonder. Il fed from the
world to such an industry as this, should
impattently refuse entrance TO all"
He was looking at The large picture on
my easel-the pet worship 0f my winter
thus far, for 1t embodied the wild and win
try marine idea which was the ideal of nv
artist lite.
He did not speak in compliment, but in
almost the same manner in which be had
halfcensnred me. He lay silent while,
then said:
Il ought to present myself to You. for
you are already known to me-"
His tteeting and unusual style impressed
me like the sudden appearing aad with
drawing OF beautiful spirit.
Your canvas is your card of introduce
ton. l can not be mistaken As one
knows an author sometimes by the books
he has written so | know you. You are
- and he spoke my name.
inclined my head without speaking.
Tbs praise that seemed implied, not eX-
pressed, was very sweet to me. And
whether he had ever welded q pencI. I |
know not buE that his soul bel6Dgal IN
that small and glorious vanguard of true
artists | knew. All Of the real paintpr
there was within me trembled with delight !
at his words, for they were not addrussed
to me woman, but 10 the artist.
DO you paint?n / asked, eagerly. for
the first time really alive 10 his presence. |
Only in Dreams" he replied, with a |
look that seemed ? sorrowiul smile.
But you might" said positively; "you |
surely have the head OF an artist"
But no mechanical skull, " be responded |
81 I'm allowing you to talk, l said. he |
thinking myself of my thougbtlessness, and |
inwardly reprieving myself for my sub |
dued impatence to hear from bis liDs some
of the art treasures that knew were stored |
in his mind, tor one who paints pictures
can never be mistaken in one glance which
Is sometimes directed to them.
There was about this man the least an
pearance OF gallantry of any man / had
ever met. / knew that his clear, soft tones.
that held in them such concealed power.
were not mOdulated because he talked Ia n
woman that over his manner was spread
no veil Of sweetness that was not a part of
him that beneath that habitual bearing
was fire burning clear and sweet as the
lame of some rare and purified oil.
In that first halt hour there was revealed
o me the translation of the syllables in
which his temperament and character were
Written. | did not fully realize it then, bnt
knew it afterward | rose from nv seat
aging AT any time yon wish nv servant !
will show you your room"
An apology for the amallness and rude
ess OF that room tremtled on my lips, bnt
apply | knew better than to utter it 10 | {
uch person.
saw too we'll that his nature was of that
xquisite refinement that depends little \
Ipon the outward-that nothing was course +,
0 him. -
. ~ that signal OF dismi ssion p he ask. n
d, rising with slowness and difficulty, AZ :
hall not forgive myself if intrude longer y
han is necessary upon your work.
IL was not a signal, p / fastened to saw, .
| feared that your fatigue would make =
our own room very acceptable" !
lie stood beside me as leaned against (
ne door. The wavering emerald of bis y
yes seemed to have conquered the gray.
nd to glow 10 a soft and penetrating :,
lstre. The thin scarlet of his beardless !
ps burned wildly, and was curved in that j
ow, unconscious smile which is so strange !,
attractive. His face was turned full
oward me, and it appeared to glow with a
Alliance as unusual as it was pure. | felt. ,
8 glanced at that face-as once before in +
~ lie l had done when blessed by the
indclasp of one noblest and best--as If a
Ito my life had suddenly flowed the cleo 1
ic current of q divine goodness. His eve :
,fteRed with every instant, shining with n :
ear goodwill which is rare and which Z.
IN not be mistaken. He suddenly ex- \
nded lis hand, saying:
II do Rot feel afraid to offer YOU NV e
iendshiP, | am not coneeited-thoug6 | y
le words may sound so-when / say that
lere are many characters in your life u
hich l can interpret, as know your ewes 4
IN read The pages of my soul. Do not 81
'luse me your acquaintance, though | am e
ny grateful stranger, q self-intruded 3
Ipplisntn sif ll3
put my hand in his without saving /,
ord. Silence best beftted me then. IT. Q,
deed ne understood me as he had said, n,
, needed no word. N
40 my thanks, no said. LET me IN
Il yon my name before L bid you good il
ght II is Edward Starbnekn
L. \ a I