National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-11-25

appearance.
A very tall man, and athletic enough !;
dark eyes, large and deeply set beneath |
straight, well defined brows ; a nose and |
chin after the antique, and a thick .
moustache over the full lips; and about |
the whole countenance a good deal of |
weakness and decision but as Ethie was
no disciple of Lavater, she only saw the
handsomest man that her eyes had ever
fallen Lpon. Upon arriving at the gate
he stood undecided as to the locality of
the bell Ethie advanced with a vivid
blush on her cheeks.
"Who is it you desire to see ?" she
asked him shyly
The visitor, stating at the apparition
before him, kept silence for minute or
so. He was painter with painters
eve for the beautiful and in one quick
glance he took in all her attractions, and
longed to perpetuate them on his canvas
He already saw the picture in his mind
the low white cottage, the flowo4S, the
grass, the dropping branches, and in the
foreground the girls sweet speaking face
and graceful form.
Mr. West lives here, believe and |
have n letter of introduction and some
books for him." he told her in a singu-
larlv musical voice
Ethie invited him in, and flew to ac-
quaint her father of his arrival then she
rushed breathlessly up to her own room,
and smoothed n wealth Of curls that a
zcphvr's breath had ruflled, ald donned
fresh white dress. Then she slowly
descended the stairs, and entered the
drawing-room with all the dignity of
demoisellc who had undergone several
campaigns in town.
Ethie my dear, Mr. Seymour has
been asking my permission to sketch
YOU he tells me that yours is just the
face he has been seeking for the principal
figure he is painting for the exhibition
this year and | have promised him you
shall sit. if it is of service to him"
And you uW do so, Miss West ?''
Seymour demanded eagerly. ''It will
he an inestimable boon to me fCr your
hair is Just the shade require, and the
features correspond exactly with it which
is n rare thing in nature" he added in
mi aside to her father, while mute
eloquence in his expression made Ethie
blush crimson.
These were the first fatterinE words
hat she Ind listened to- and they sound
ed pleasantly to her ears She felt his eyes
upon her. but she could not cavil at a
look viii n, though steady, WIS neither
hold nor disrcgpectful. She said nothing,
but smiled an acqus sscencc to his re-
quest And then Mr. West, eager to
pore over his newly-acquired treasures,
retired to his study and the artist and his
model We're left alone.
\ feeling of nervousness stole over
n Ethie as her father left the room. But
|. Seymour was man OF the world, and
e came 70 the rescue Mt once.
"May see vour garden, Miss West?'
d " Certainly :" and she ~colded herself
d Immediately for her stupid little answer.
IS but had no courage to add to it,
A They descended the steps that led to n
IT large. well-kept parterrc and shrubbery
z behind the house walking side by side,
ie hut saying nothing. At length she
z ventured n remark
.e Are you staying in the village for
!, any time 2"
If Only for week or two, to gather
Is materials for pictures. Your country is
ar c alehrated for its beauty you know"
l. "Ye3; :" and then not knowing what to
ID talk about. she said, - like the front Of
< Yes = and Seymour put on n senti-
ii mental tone rs he went on, for 1t was
ly there ! first saw you. shall never
ID forget it,"
Of Ethic tried TO look up gratefully for
rs his words, but instead of it her eyes
d sought the ground steadily, with intense
er qualification filing her soul.
I'd Who were you waiting Cor at the
ne parden-wall o. he questioned, presently,
Y, with all the authority of an incipient
n. lover and she never resented the free
of dom, hut answered with truth and frank
is ness written on her brow.
IN " For no one. 1t is my birth lay
Of and wished TO pass it in my favorit,
ny place. am never lonely there, with th'
as flowers and the sunbeams making it $,
X bright"
se "But Won were waiting for some one,
Ii, he persisted with n serions look.
he Ethic contradicted the fact with
he shake Of her little head and a puzzle,
ok expression on her features
M "Ycs. the Fates had ordained it Yoi
cs were watching and waiting for me, -
he The girl did not even smile-shc onl
muscd over his assertion, and thought
lcl would he very pleasant TO watch an
'd; wait for him always.
of PART II.
mt \ couple Of weeks had glidcd by sine
ny Ethic had ais- looked on Ernest Sey
Is, rour The sun shonc bright as ever, an
WI the birds sang quite ~ bithly, hut sh
WINS changed. She had turned from
ius wild. happy, laughtcr-,oving child, int
n serious, thinking. loving woman
nat Even casual observer, with ordinar
it'll powers of perception, could scarcel
so have failed 10 note the depth of shndo'
ere that lay in the crc-whilc bcaming eye
my The rosy lips parted less frequent in
he smile. and there was something suggci
res tive Of her feelings in the very actio
it which pushed the hair of her hot for,
id; head ms she lcant her cheek pcnSvcly o
ing her hand.
es. She rds watching and waiting fc
ny. Seymour now day hy day nj the san
,e.' hour she lcant on the old stone wall. an
Sad day bv day her watching had been r,
ON wnrdcd by presence which had becon
ns denrcr to her than life. She never failo
10 keep the trust--ostcnsibly to sketc
Of her face. in reality TO steal away h'
md heart.
her The easel was placed under the lnbu
in nun. the dropping foliage Of which COZ
the ccnlcd II from the view OF the passers-b,
Who I'm that little green nook the happic
she hours had passed that Ethie had ev'
known. Swee'cr phrases had falle
and from SEYMOUR lips than strokes from h
in skilful brush. Al the onset the cNtren
49,. i..,,,,. ~ i,ts sittar had absorbed him