New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-19
A BEAUTIFUL STORY.
THE ARTISTS LOVE.


high dropped down the long trailing ivy
vine to kiss the laughing wayes-there sal
two women.
One, with her arm resting upon broken
column, her dark eyes with the memory OF
the long ago stirring their brilliancy into
life, gazed aiar out at the floating cloud
her face sad reflection of the past, while
the other, many years younger, half knelt
at her feet, and with smile on her red
lips and the light Of hope in her glorious
eyes, played with the light moss upon the
bank beside her.
1t was perfect picture, for the twilight
crept in and swept across the foreground
just enough to bring the wondrous beauty
into relief.
To the artist eyes Of Ralph Bertram, who,
wandering down the river bank, came upon
Them it was Il perfect harmony of light and
shade, an exact subject for masterpiece,
and there, he sat down and sketched until
the darkness shrouded the whole and shut
it out from his view.
He took his sketch home. and for hours
sat and gazed at it enraptured with the
glorious beauty of the faces. Who were
they, or rather who was she Who was the
girl with her dreamy, happy face and dark
melting eyes, with their hopefulness and
truth!
When morning dawncd, he went down
again to the rivers bank. and watched and
inquired of every passer, but no one knew
them. One would say:
"Ah yes, have seen them-two women,
one old and sad, the other young aud happy.
/ do not know their names
Another would declare he never was
aware Of their existence, and thus Ralph
found his search vain one. He went on
and at last it was complete, and when he
went up to his studio in the city, and placed
it there, his friends held up their hands in
admiration, and worshiped it, and before
many days it found a place in the most re-
nowned art gallery, and all the world went
crazy over it.
Thus Ralph Bertram became celebrated.
and orders came upon faster than he could
fill them, and all the wealth and beauty in
the city smiled upon him and petted him.
He was admitted in every parlor. party,
6Oiree and reception: he became the lion OF
the season and far and near his praises were
sung. But to him it was nothing, when
thoughts of his beloved picture came, and
hour after hour lie sat and gazed upon that
beautiful face like one entranced.
~ believe, Mr.. Bertram. that you are
positively in love with that young facet"
said belle, as she came upon him in the
salls.y. "Was it from life, or your own
imaginac 9on that you painted it!
"From li..fe.''
Impossible Mt must have been dream
No living womah was ever blessed with
such beauty
Eyes, one"
The lady went away. AID before night
one-half the world was jealJAus Of his pic
ture, and declared him crazy. 1t must be
80, for no woman ever possessed such rare
beauty. 1t was dream, Naturalization.
Bertram heard it and laughedA Per
chance the day might come when he could
bring his wondrous beauty before them and
convince them, and with this hone E la
bored and sought her far and wide
1t was cold, bitter night, and round the
corners the wind swept, bringing wi p it
titful gusts of hard cutting sleet, and ene-
trating to the bone every unfortunate who
CHANGED to be abroad. Bertram d anne
briskly down the street from his st /hdio,
warmly wrapped i'll heavy coat and furs,
with a vision of his pleasant rooms efore
him. and lightly humming an opera$ He
had turned from the principal street, and
was walking alone where it was all yhuiet,
when he suddenly came upon two Women,
the house.
"Mother," said one. sit is but little
further. Do try to keep up. Here, lean upon
me- mother"
She was vainly trying to support the
sinking form, but not all her strength could
prevent her from falling. And Bertram
sprang forward in time to receive her in his
strong arms as she fell back"
"Mothcr, . my mother" was the despair
ing cry.
Don't be alarmed, miss she has only
tainted. My home is here close at hand,
and if YOU will assist me, [ will take your
mother there
The young woman Obeyed him without a
word, and with her assistance Ralph bore
the senseless form to his elegant apart
ments. There was no light within tho
room, and after placing the inanimate form
upon the sofa he CROPPED his way to the
match safe and lighted the gas. As the
soft radiance shone through the room she
sprang back with an exclamation of sur
prise and delight. His pictures The face
Of his idolized one! At the sound the
younger started up and looked toward
him. How beautiful she was with her hood
falling back and the damp waves of chest
nut hair clinging to her broad white fore
head. and great lustrous eyes fixed upon
him in wonder Bertram could not speak
My MOTHER she began, with q,ivering
lips.
Pardon me! l forgot myself"-and he
went out, brought wines, cOrdiaIs, and
labOred until the blood stole back in little
flashes and the dark eyes opened. For
several moments she did not seem to under
stand the strange room and surroundings;
"Agncs, darling"
Mother, are you BETTER"
Yes. yes"
Agnes. 1t was like her. Pure, good, beau
tifuI, saintlike.
Bertram sat in the window until they
called him. The elder one was standing in
the room. the mantle thrown around her,
and one hand resting upon the shoulder of
her daughter.
al wish to bid you good night and thank
you for your kindness. If it were in my
power | would
Madame, beg You to sit dawn. l have
spent months in searching for you, and l
beg you. now l have found You. to remain
here. Ii you are willing to confer a favor
upon Inc, remain here tonight. at least
Searching for us What do YOU mean"
You will learn one day! owe you all
possess.
) She sat back, seemingly petriGed with
WHO are you' l never met you. You owe
me nothing"
"Will you remain here -
"Yes, if you need us"
After a time the nOble-lookjng woman sat |
in comfortable chair near The CRATE, her |
lovely daughter at her feet and Ralph Ber- |
tram brought forth the sketch and told the |
story.