The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-20

congratulate you on the possession of your
genius, and also your sister. We will
take your statue away in half an hour.
Good-day.n
A respectful bow from all and Jules was
again alone. He felt intoxicated with
happiness, and could neither move nor
think until he was aroused by the persons
come to take away the statue. Carefully
he superintended its removal, and thank
fully he watched it as it was driven out of
sight. He had scarcely regained his room
and lowered the curtain when Mirelle re-
turned, looking more tired and careworn,
Jules thought, than he had ever seen her.
81 have news for you, Jules" she said.
How Jules longed to say, ~ have news,
too, for you, Mirelle !" but prudence and
the wish TO surprise his sister kept him
silent as to anything in connection with
the good fortune which had just dawned
upon them "What is your news 2" was
all he said
"Mlle. ie Bastian has given me two cards
of invitation to this exhibition, which is to
be one Of ;tatuary. I wonder if there will
be one suth statue as ours there 7" proudly
said Miro going to the curtain, evidently
with thu intention of looking again at,
judith
"Stop Mirelle, want to let night
pass witiout looking at our work then,
on to-nIrrow it will be little new to us,
and we can better judge of it."
"Asyou wish; but, tell me, will you go
to this exhibition 2"
"Met undoubtedly"
81 sail enjoy it so much"
81 I'm sure you WILL" replied Jules,
thinking all the time Of the great surprise
he hat for the little pale face beside him.
Tht next day had scarcely dawned when
Jules rose to keep guard by the curtain
and b build castles for the future, but not
air cstles. 1t was dull gloomy day but
to Jules all was bright. He was restless
all be morning, and he insisted upon
Mirlle getting ready an hour before the
timt In fact he kept herin such hustle
and confusion that she had no time to
thilk Of judith Had she asked to see
1t, fules felt as though he would have told
heiall, but he succeeded in getting her off
in good spirits, and without a word in
reard to Judith"
As they approached the hall Jules grew
nrvOus, ard almost fearful to enter; but
b felt Mirslle's hand on his arm and he was
have again. They followed the crowd
s.ead of them, and in a few moments found
smsclyes IN the exhibition room, which
. densely packed. Jules placed Mirelle
q place Of safety, and left her for a mo-
at 10 ascertain where "Judith" was
ced He soon saw his statue in the
tter of the ring-all the statues were
piaoed IN a ring TO avoid being touched or
pushed. Yes, there was his judith" on
a high pedestal Of blue; crowds were gaz-
ing at il, and Jules paused fora moment to
hear some criticisms upon it. A lady and
gentleman stood close to him-they were
the personificatien OF womanly and manly
beauty, and the strong resemblance be-
tween them pronounced them brother and
sister. To this couple Jules turned his
attention, and heard the lady say:
"Anatole, would give twice the amount
of the prize to know the artist that created
that statue of Judith"
"One of our many sculptors, no doubt"
replied the brother.
"No, there is no name to it. 1t must
be some poor artist who does not appreci-
ate his own genius, and who fears criticism.
I must know who it is, and must have
that statue if it is to be bought"
Jules waited to hear no more, but went
in search of Mirelle, and brought her to
where he had been standing.
"Our Judith, Jules" was all she could
say, and then cling to her brother to sup
port herself, for the surprise had been as
sudden as great, and completely unncrved
her. The lady Jules had been listening to
passed at this moment, and tapped Mirelle
lightly on the shoulder.
"You like it, little one 2" she said.
$50 much, mademoiselle."
"Judith will get the prize, and shall
get Judith"
"You, mademoiselle T
"Yes. am going now to tell my
father to purchase it. The prize will be
awarded in half an hour" Without wait
ing for reply, the lady passed on, but not
without gancing in wonder at the COM
panion of Nlirelle. "Who could he beN
"Who is that, Mirelle?" questioned
Jules.
"Mlle. de Bastian and her brother"
"You were right about her, Mirelle;
she is indeed worthy of all your praise"
The halfhour passed slowly, and at the
end Of it the gentleman who had passed
Judgment to Jules on his statue entered
the ring and walking to the center, he ad-
dressed the visitors. He explained thor
oughly the plan OF the prize-awarding;
how forty of the most critical, just, intelli-
gent and WELL known gentlemen had been
selected to pass judgment on the statue;
how they had passed Judgment, and that
it was his duty as well as pleasure to give
that Judgment; which was that the prize
had been awarded to "Judith," the artist
wished his name concealed but they had
ascertained it, and the judges, the commit
tee, and undoubtedly all present congratu-
lated the two artists whose genius had
seldom been equaled, Jules st. CroIx and
Mile. Mirelle St. Croix, his sister; to them
is the prize offifty thousand francs awarded,
I i r