The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-18

nave Deen almost Jne Onty bttne WlJnln my re-
collection that 1 had ever given any satisfac-
ton to anybody; for my life then was almost
wholly isolated. As 1 divided my woodland
treasures, the invalid raised his long, slen-
der hand, and, offering it to me, said:-'I
thank You very much, sir, for both my sister
and myself. L am sure we shall enjoy them
enough to repay you for the sacrifice of CIV
ing them away"
but the gain is mine, / replied, ,smilingly;
for now, you see, shall have the pleasure
of knowing that these beauties will be pro-
perly cared for. Just look at that scarlet
maple with the perfect gradation of color to
the orange veins, and the sumachs; perhaps
they and the golden beeches are the hand
soonest, after all. If 1 had kept them they
certainly must have withered IN few hours.
In two days my picture will be finished. Will
yor and your brother do me the honor of
looking at it before it goes to the exhibi-
tion?"
turned so quickly towards her in saying
this, that the lady was startled into accepting
the invitation, though 1 believe to this day
she intended to decline.
Thank you," said; "when it is all ready,
shall call for you. Goodnight"
When the door closed behind me, struck
a match, and, holding the little, quivering
fame quite close to small white card, tackled
upon the middle panel, read:-
&c. DALE,
"En9rdoer on Wood"
Whether I had suddenly grown more fasti-
dious and critical, or whether my practised
fingers had all at once lost their cunning,
cannot determine; but do know that the
two days allotted in my mind to the compile
tion of the autumn. scene upon my easel
stretched out into three, four, five; and finally
a week passed before / was willing to say
Finished" and put it in the frame.
But one thing should be considered in ex-
tenuation of the delay. My brain had played
me the most extraordinary tricks during those
seven days. Would you believe that, on
awaking from a highly y-artistic and analytic
reverie one afternoon, l discovered under a
group of oaks and beeches, where a dwarf
gum-tree should have been, slight figure in
a grey dress, shawl, and hat, with veil
thrown back over the crown?
I see, by your smile, you don't credit the
story, but, 1 assure you, it is true. The
picture was finished, however. 1 took it off
the easel to hang it on the wall; pulled
it down from there, and, bracing it up
on the table with pile of books at last re-
placed it on the easel, where it properly be-
longed, before could be satisfied with the
light After all this, I found myself at num-
ber twenty-eight, ready to escort my visitors
to my studio.
lhO bliBnO Iude IloEDSEt
Dale face told me, before his words, that
he liked and admired my work; but 1 was
not SO sure of his sisters approval. For
full five minutes she stood leaning over
the back of her brothers chair, saying no.
thing, while had the background Watching
the fiickering western sunlight play over her
soft, blond hair and delicate sweet face. At
last, as with sigh of mingled longing and
regret, she turned and took the chair silently
10 1a~
me as perfect as any human hand can make
it. You cant imagine how it makes me wish
for the country and the woods.
Then she was silent again; but think my
eyes must have said more to her than my lips,
for they only uttered, 81 thank you."
OF course, we naturally began speaking of
pictorial art in all its departments. She told
me her brother and herself both drew aud
that she engraved their pictures. And 1
gathered, though she didn't say so, that she
supported the two in that way My interest
in this couple, who seemed as much alone in
the world as myself, grew every moment they
remained; and, long before she exclaimed,
why, BERTHE, dear, it is nearly dark we
must go home this minute" 1 determined to
follow up the acquaintance that had begun
SO propitiously. Rising to help Herbert back
to their room, l asked, miss Dale, have you
ever seen the Seasons, illustrated by Lud-
wig Richter"
mo. never had an opportunity; though
have often read about them. hope some
time to be able tol buy the set; for 1 think
they would be very helpful to me-"
II think they would be very suggestive to
you in many ways, while they are also exceed
ingly entertaining. When mine are returned
by another friend"-I laid the slightest posi-
BILE accent on the two last words, to see what
effect it would have upon her-''may bring
kha.. 10 Il fOr Il
know every line and every group by heart"
"Thank you; I should be very glad to see
them," she replied, without seeming to notice
my emphasis. And then / went out, and
stood alone in the gloomy corridor, as I had
stood week before, on the evening when l
first met Gervaise Dale.
In few days my books came back, and I
seized the first moment of leisure-it was in
the evening-and carried them next door.
The call was delightful. The loan of more
books, the exhibition of a sketch or two, led
to another and another visit; and at last it
became habit with me to spend three or
four evenings a week with the Dales
Up to the time 1 made the acquaintance of
my new friends my life had been utterly
selfish Every sensation and circumstance
had been interesting to me only as it affected
my own personality. Every thought and
every hope centred in my own advancement
and success. Therefore, the self-sacri6ce
and devotion of Gervaise Dale to her sick
brother awoke in me feeling of surprise
and admiration that at the time was almost
inexplicable. AS revelation of nobility of
character, it appeared in my eyes super
human.
Herbert and 1 became much attached to
each other as our acquaintance grew; and
frequently, in the short winter afternoons,
while Gervaise was out carrying home her
work, 1 read aloud to the unfortunate youth.
One daV we were nniaflu uatchinr o. the snn