National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-04-07
"This is not alone my work--my sister
has created the head of lIoloternes."
" Wonderful % was the reply.

put down until after the exhibition"
"You are too modest but as you wish
Shall your statue be marked for sale p"
"Yes-oh yes; have made it to SELL
"But the prize will give you large
sum-
"Not sufficient; besides, it is not mine
yet"
but it will be, and most Justly. |
congratulate you on the possession of your
genius, and also your sister, We will
take your statue away in half an hour
Good-day."
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 ro-
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, 81 have news,
too, for you, Mirelle y 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 ?" was
all he said.
Mile. de Bastian has given me two cards
of invitation to this exhibition, which is to
be one of statuary. | wonder if there will
be one such statue as ours there ?" proudly
said Mirclle, going to the curtain, evidently
with the intention of looking again at,
" Judith"
"Stop, Mirelle, want to let night
pass without looking at our work then,
on tomorrow it will be little new to US,
and we can better Judge of it,
AS you wish but, tell me, will you 90
to this exhibition ?"
I" Most undoubtedly"
" shall enjoy it so much"
81 am sure you WILL" replied Jules,
thinking all the time of the great surprise
he had for the little pale face beside him.
The next day had scarcely dawned when
Jules rose to keep guard by the curtain
and to build castles for the future, but not
air castles. 1t was dull gloomy day but
to Jules all was bright. He was restless
all the morning, and he insisted upon
Mirelle getting ready an hour before the
time. In fact he kept her in such hustle
and confusion that she had no time to
think of "Judith" Had she asked to see
1t, Jules felt as though he would have told
her all, but he succeeded in getting her off
in good spirits. and without word in
regard to Judith"
As they approached the hall Jules grew
nervous, ard almost fearful to enter; but
he felt Mirelles hand ON his arm and he was
brave again. They followed the crowd |
ahead of them, and in few moments found |
IN the exhibition room, which |
was densely packed. Jules placed Mirellc |
in place Of safety, and left her for mo-
ment to ascertain where "Judith" was
placed. He soon saw his statue in the |
center of the ring-all the statues were
placed 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 it, and Jules paused for moment to
hear some criticisms upon it. A lady and
gentleman stood close to him-they were
The personification OF womanly and manly
beauty, and the strong resemblance be-
.ween them pronounced them brother and
sister. To this couple Jules turned his
attention, and heard the lady say:
Anatole, would give twice the amount
If the prize to know the artist that created
hat statue of Judith ,
"One of our many sculptors, no doubt"
epied the brother.
"No, there is no name to it. 1t must
'e some poor artist who does not apprec ,
tie his own genius, and who fears criticism. ,
must know who it is, and | must have ,
hat statue if it is to be bought" 9
Jules waited to hear no more, but went :
n search of Mirelle, and brought her to
Vhere he had been standing.
sour Judith. Jules" was all she could
ay, and then cling to her brother to sup {
ort herself, for the surprise had been as q
udden as great, and completely unncrved t
er. The lady Jules had been listening to t
asscd at this moment, and tapped Mirele Y
ghtly on the shoulder. 9
You like it, little one 2" she said. ii
" So much, mademoiselle" k
"Judith will get the prize, and shall I
ct Judith" '
8 You, mademoisele p f
Yes. | am going now to tell my a
lther to purchase it. The prize will be t
warded in half an hour.' Without wait &
lg for a reply, the lady passed on, but not S
'ithout glancing in wonder at the COM t,
anion of Mirelle. "Who could he be ?" d
Who is that, Mirelle?" questioned is
ulcs. o
mile. de Bastian and her brother" is
" You were right about her, Mirele ii
lie is indeed worthy of all your praise" IL
The halfhour passed slowly, and at the p
I'd of it the gentleman who had passed &
dgment to Jules on his statue entered n
le ring, and walking to the center, he ad- o.
'essed the visitors. He explained thor
ighly the plan of the prze-awarding =,
wv forty of the most critical, Just, intel- u =,
mt and wel-known gentlemen hal L. IN :, :,
lected to pass judgment on the statue ~ ..
Nv they had passed judgment, and that ~
was his duty as well as pleasure to give " al
at Judgment; which was that the prize =. =.
ID been awarded to Judith" the artist "a :"
shed his name concealed but they had ~ ~
certained it, and the judges, the commit - >.
g. and undoubtedly all present congrstu- y,
ted the two artists whose genius had ", ",
dom been equaled, Jules st. Croix and "
lie. Mirelle st. Croix, his sister; to them U w
the prize offifty thousand francs awarded. "
d the sum of hundred thousand francs al .h
offered for the statue by Monsieur de .h .h
stian who was one of the judges. IA IA
Deafening applause followed this speech, "
amid it all Mirelle and Jules stood re-
wing silently, but so thankfully, the ST.
ward of their talent, perseverance and co
Ddness. on
You are to come home with me. We
relle." 10,
Mlrelle looked up and saw Mile. de Lar
stian. m,