Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-02-21
THE ARTISTS LOVE.

ground just enough to bring the won
drous beauty into relief. t .1H
1 To the, artist eyes of Ralph Bertram,
who wandering down the river bank,
came upon them, it was perfect har-
mony Of light and shade-an exact sub
ject for masterpiece; and there he sat
down and sketched until the darkness
shrouded the whole and shut it 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 she? Who was
the girl with her dreamy, happy face,
and dark, melting eyes, with their hope
fulness and truth2
When morning dawned he went down
to the rivers bank, and watched and
waited for hours, but they never came.
He inquired of every passer, but no one
knew them. One would say:
| "Ahl yes, have seen them-two wo-
men, one old and sad, the other young
and happy, lido 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 working day and night upon his pic
ture. 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 handsin admiration and worshipped
it, and before many days it found a place
in the most renowned art gallery, and all
the world went crazy over it,
Thus Ralph Bertram became cele-
brated, and orders came upon him faster
than he could fill them, and all the wealth
and beauty in the city smiled upon and
petted him. He was admitted in every
parlor, party, soiree, 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 he sat and gazed upon that beauti-
| full face like one entranced. asns
81 believe, Mr.. Bertram, that you are
positively in love with that young face r
said belle, as she came upon him in the
gallery. "Was it from life or your own
Imagination that you painted it?"
g From life"
Impossible 1t must have been
dreaml No living woman was ever
| DleSSeu WITH SUCH DtuulO.
Yes, onep
The lady went away, and before night
one-half the world was jealous of his
picture, and declared him crazy. 1t
must be so, for no woman ever possessed
such rare beauty. 1t was dream, a
hallucination.
Bertram heard it and laughed. Per
chance the day might come when he
could bring his wondrous beauty before
! them and convince them; and with this
hope he labored and sought her far and
wide. tttN
1t was cold, bitter night, and around
the corners the wind swept, bringing
with it ftful gusts of hard-cutting sleet,
and penetrating to the bone every unfor-
tunate who chanced to be abroad. Ber-
tram came briskly down the street from
his studio, warmly wrapped in heavy
coat and furs, with vision of his pleas
ant rooms before him, and lightly hum
ming an opera. He had turned from the
principal street, and was walking alone
where all was quiet, when he suddenly
came upon two women, who stood near
the iron railing in front of the house.
Mother" said one, it is but little
furtherl Do try to keep up. Here, lean
upon me, mother, 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 re
ceive her in his strong arms as she fell
back. st g..
Mother, OH my mother" was the
despairing cry. ,
"Don't be alarmed, miss; she has
only tainted Ny home is here close at
hand, and il you will assist me will
take your mother there"
The young woman Qbeyed him without
word, and with her assistance Ralph
bore the senseless form to his elegant
apartments. There was no light within
the 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
he sprang back with an exclamation Of
surprise and delight. His PICTURES The
face of his idolized onel AT the sound
the younger one started up and looked
toward hia Hoy beautiful she was
with her hood falling back ana ths damp
waves of chestnut hair clinging to her
broad white forehead, and great lustrous
eyes fixed upon him in wonder. Bertram
could not speak.
MY motherl" " she began with culver
ing lips.. ii.l uaN
g Pardon mel 4 forgot myself and
be went ont, brought wines, cQrdials, and
lsbarea until the bloed stole back in lit
.ia flashes and the dark eyes opened.
For several moments she did not seem
10 understand the strange room and sur
roundings; but when the younger spoke,
she said;
4" Agnes, darlingl
Mother, are yop petterf
Yes, yes"
Agnesl 1t was like her. Pure, good |
beautiful, 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
81 wish to bid you good night and |
thank you for your kindness. If 1t were
In ny power ] would
Madame, / be- you 70 sit down. ] /
have spent months in searching for goa, /
and beg you now have found you, to 4
remain here. If you are willing to con-
fer favor upon me, remain here to-
night at least.
Searching for usl What do you
meanT'
Fou viii learn oHe day I owe Jpn |
all possess.
She sat back seemingly petri6ed with /
astonishment