Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-08-19


sprang back with an exclamation of
surprise and delight. His picturesl-
The face of his idolized one! At the
sound the younger started up and
looked toward him. How beautifulshe
was, with her hood falling back, and
the damp waves of chestnut hair cling
ing to her broad, white forehead, and
great lustrous eyes fixed upon him in
wonder. Bertram could not speak.
"My mother" she began with quiy-
ering lips.
pardon me! l forgot myself, =
and he went out, brought wines, cor
dials, and labored until the blood stole
back in little flashes and the dark eyes
opened. For several moments she did
not seem to understand the strange
room and surroundings; but when the
younger spoke, she said:
agnes, darlingP'
Mother. are you better?"
eyes, yes!"
Agnesi .SIt MAS ike her. Pure,
good, beautiful, saint-like!
Bertram sat in the window until they
called him. The elder one was stand
ing in the room, her mantle thrown
around her and one hand resting upon
the shoulder of her daughter.
81 wish to bid you goodnight, and
thank you for your kindness. If it
were in my power, would"
Madam, l beg you to sit down. l
have spent months in searching for
you, and | beg you, now l have found
you, to remain here. If you are will
ling to confer favor upon me, remain
here tonight, at least"
Searching for us! What do you
mean?"
"You will learn one day! owe you
ali possess.
She sat back, seemingly petri6ed
with astonishment.
"Who are you? never met you!
You owe me nothing"
"Will you remain here?"
eyes, if you need u.s."
After a time the noble looking wo-
man sat in a comfortable chair near
the CRATE, her lovely daughter at her
feet, and Ralph Bertram brought forth
the sketch and told the story.
"And are you the great painter,
Ralph Bertram?" asked Agnes.
81 am Ralph Bertram," he answered,
smilingly.
"And the great picture of which we
have read, was onl y poor mamma and
I, sitting upon the bank of that beau
tiful river in the country, where we
visited last summer. How strange!"
Agnes LaGrange was happy and
contented in the splendid room, and
with her head resting in her mother
lap, heard her tell the story of her
fathers death, their flight across the
sea from their beautiful home in France,
of their struggles and hardships. and
their utter loneliness, and smiled when
Ralph Bertram gave his hand and
Degged them 10 accept his friendship.
The Art Gallery was crowded, and
all the fashion of the city was out and
promenading up and down the grand
saloon, and pausing before Bertram's s
picture, to admire and compliment -
All at once there was buzz, and the
crowd parted on either side. Down
the opening came Bertram with lady
leaning on either arm. As he passed
a murmur went around:
"The face is his picture! How beau
tifull How perfect"
Ralph was never happier nor prouder
than when he stood with his com
panions and heard their words OF
praise, and when Agnes whispered:
at is grand, Ralph, and l am proud
of you"
"My darling your praise is worth
more than all else to me-" he answered,
and be pressed her hand tenderly and
looked into her dark eyes, worshipping
her glorious beauty with all his heart.
"Once more the world gathered to
envy and admire, when the handsome
couple stood before the altar in the
great church, and were made one.
The great picture brought him a
fortune, and the original brought him
comfort and peace.