The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-08-07
HisrelIanp.
MARIoN's PORTRAIT.

In the evening, weighed ooWn Wltn Iomokses
and auguish Of heart went to Mr.. Claytone 70
see Bella. her eyes were red and swollen with
weeping. Size upbraided me bitterly with my
GOODNESS and growing dissatisfaction, and, in Q
Hood of tears, implored me to say what was draw
ing me away from her. By way OF plausible ex.
cuse for daily absenting myself from her society,
I explained great part of my time had boon oc-
cupied in painting sketches of Black Brier Copse.
Nothing would satisfy Bella short of my promise
60 take her on the morrow to the wood, to point
out the scenes and to compare them with my
sketches. I dreaded the expedition-for had
not promised to meet the enchantress there p
but could not refuse for Bella,s peace.
It was agreed we should go thither in the morn
ing, and, as the next day was to be my last AT
Aldford, Mr.. and Mrs. Clayton were to go with
u.s. Later in the evening an old gentleman OF
the neighborhood, Mr.. Murphin, friend OF
Mr.. Clayton's dropped in 70 chat about the pros
poets Of the coming crops, and, hearing OF our
proposed expedition, said he should hike to ac'
company US.
Accordingly, in tho morning, we all set out,
Bella and with the portfolio leading the way,
and her uncle and aunt following with MIR. MUIR
phin. On reaching the copse, l submitted the Pic.
lures to their notice, and showed the points OF
view from which they were taken. all except one,
which was o little bit of tree scenery down the
path where had met the enchantress. Wishing
TO avoid that spot, pretended to have forgotten
whereabouts II had taken it. Mr.. Murphin. how
ever, to nv great anxiety, recognized the spot at
once, and insisted on leading the way thither.
It was useless to attempt remonstrance, so fol-
lowed the rest, nervously dreading to meet her
there. To my intense relief, we reached the
place and found my fears disappointed. had
been so accustomed to see the enchantless by the
hswthorne-bush little farther down the path,
that feared she would be there even now. But
looked and saw the bush, and there was no one
near it. She had not kept her appointment.
My picture having been pronounced faithful
one, we all sat down upon the grass to rest Bella
near to me, turning over the sketches In my
portfolio. Suddenly it flashed across my mind,
fool that had been, had left the portrait there,
the portrait of the enchantress. But too late,
for that instant it was in Bells's hands! Her
portrait had promised not to snow!
I watched Bella's face eagearly for some ex-
preston of jealousy before venturing to speak,
but not detecting any change in her features as
expected, said:
''Whst do you think Of that portrait Is it
not very ideal of beauty?"
elbow can you be 30 provoking ?" she replied
'why this is nothing but a blank sheet not filled
IMP
"You are pleased to jest" returned. taking
the picture from her hands to replace it in the
portfolio.
"No, no ! if you please, wish to see this beau
tiful portrait, and beg you will find II, sir. Now,
uncle" she continued, appealing to Mr. Clayton,
out, and he has been portrait-painting; some
beautiful GIRL of course, and he won't show it to
me, and wants to put me off with this" and she
held up the sketch.
'Don't tease our poor little girl" said Mr..
Clayton, taking the picture from Bella "she has
set her mind on seeing your work, 40 turn it out
with good grace"
I'll don't understand you'll can't tell Whist
you mean. There is the portrait stammered,
pointing TO the sketch he held.
'Nonsense my dear boy; you know better
is no portrait here
ono portrait there |" I exclaimed.
"Certainly not, as you must be very we'll aware
look at it."
Mr. Murphin and Mrs. Clayton both confirmed
what he said. 80.
30 nonsense I" cried-"this is too much. Are
you all blind or are You all determined to have
q joke with me? There, I say, il the portrait.
Good Heavens cont You see it ?"
For the moment did not know if they were
testing with me, or if had lost my wits. Before
me was the portrait of the lady had met in the
woods as striking and as life-like as color could
make it.
Mr.. Murphin came to my side, and, pointing
to the picture, said:
'You seem to me as if you were speaking the
truth-will you tell mo what you see on the pa.
per before you?"
"a woman's face,", replied, Sin the prime Of
its beauty, shining out from masses of golden
curls that glow like sunshine the lips just drawn
into smile that dimples her fair cheek, and
strange blue eyes, liquid and deep as the abyss Of
squiet lake. The face Of q lady mot hero in
the copse.
"My God!" cried the old man, "can we have
fallen in the tolls of Marion Les2"
"Of whom 2" asked in amazement
"She is called The Lady of the Woods But
you must tell us how You met her, and how
You escaped, for her breath is fever-her kiss il
death"
told them there, Bella and all, Of the meet.
ings in the wood, Of the strange fascination and
allurement that had drawn me here, and of the
painting of the portrait.
"My lad" said Mr.. Murphin, mo wonder We
cannot see your picture. It is no living woman
you have tried to paint. Marion Lee has been
dead these twenty years and more, but hel
blighting influence has survived tillnow. There's
not villager will pass by this bit Of the copse
alone for all the money you could offer. They
say she has blighted many q lad in Aldford, and
whoever has felt her kiss has died before the year
was out. I'll tell you her story"
"Marion Lee was only cotter's child, butshe
was born lady. Her parents gave her as good
an education as their means could afford, but she
seemed as if she knew all about books without
ever being taught. No one would have taken
her for q villagers daughter. She was we'll.
grown and delicate in form as the best lady Of
the land, and had golden hair, a. you say, and
piercing blue eyes, that set all the Aldford lads
crazy after her. But but was no good. A lady Ma.