Middletown transcript., 1870-06-11

" But why do you not go?'' said Ag.
mes, earnestly. If were an artist, I'd
throw everything into corner, seize a
poatmanteau, and be off at once"
Hugh could not help smiling, as he
answered:
Nothing but necessity-in fact, the
want of means to travel so far with, keeps
me at home"
Hugh was poor, and he was proud
but it had never yet occurred to him to
be ashamed of his poverty.
" Necessity want of means? Oh, |
never thought of that!" said Agnes,
naively For what could she know OF
necessity-she, the spoiled darling of
wealth?
Z" shall tell Fred all about it," she
went on; "and he shall send you to
Rome with commission"
" Please don't say anything to Fred
about it., said Hugh rather grilnly.
Not say anything to Fred about it?
Of course | will. Fred is the best fellow
in the world, and you would be so glad to
know him-indeed l know you would"
Hugh had his doubts about liking the
unknown Fred" but he did not express
them, and asked quietly:
is the miniature Fred's likeness ?"
His face was very calm that moment,
bnt inwardly his heart trembled
"Oh, dear, no! That miniature is of
cousin of mine, who is travelling in In
dia, and I am having it copied for birth
day gift to young lady who loves and
adores him. And that reminds me to ask
you, how soon can you have it finished ?"
The terrible secret was over, and this
elegant man was only cousin and adorcd
by some other lady. Hugh had no scrup-
les about painting the potrait after hear
ing this, and promised to complete it quite
in time for the birthday But that ques-
tion settled-who was Fred was the next
thought which occurred to his mind to per-
plex him.
And, as if in answer to his thoughts she
said:
:" I shall not bring Fred to see you un-
til the picture is finished-for you men
never can keep secret, and he would be
sure to tell. After that, he shall come,
and ! know you will like him."
huoW tuut Suull ndt6 Hln, NUT
tered Hugh to himself, as Miss Agnes
Leigh disappeared down the broad stair
case.
Hugh did not rush to the window this
time for parting glance-he stood where
she had left him, wrapped in a home
study. He was striving to reason with
himself. 1t was evident that this lady be-
longcd to sphere far removed from his
own; she was the child of wealth, and
he was only poor artisan artist, rich
only in inspiration. Never had be felt his
poverty so cruelty before. What had he
cared for the pcrshable dross of the
world? What mattered it if his coat was
SO that he had me ans to buy
colors and canvas enough to work out his
glorious dreams? How could he hope to
WOO and win such peerless beauty as
Agnes Leigh ?-He, a poor artist lie
felt half inclied to follow her advice, and
rush off, even without his portmantcau, to
the next steamer.
But no." he said to himself, "I will
finish the portrait as l have promised,
and | will finish my Dream of Acadia :"
and it may be that this painting will re-
llizc for me my dream of the sunny lands
Of art across the seas"
And so Hugh set hard to work, and
ere long the portrait was finished. But
one morning, before his portrait was more
han half completed, Miss Agnes Leigh
came to his studio. And this time Fred
with her-and who should he be but A
lear old school chum of Hugh's, whom
le had not seen or heard of since they
we're "boys together" And. better than
hat, Fred was the fair strangers brother,
instead of the dreaded lover or husband. t
The acquaintance thus renewed was
lever allowed to relax; and before many I
months Hugh received from Mr.. Leigh S
he promised commission which would en-
bile him to go abroad But before at q
empting this 1.-THE Dream of Acadia" S
vas completed and on being placed in the S
academy, won high honors for the young v
rtist. L
No longer was he poor and unknown i
but bright future opened before him. Il
And when he set out ON the long cherish t
d visit to Rome, the beautiful Agnes v
rent with him as his bride And the
wo lovers found, beneath the skies of t
tally, home which was not dream Of b
ut real, Acadia, in which they dwelt n
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