Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-02-25

his elegant apartments. Inere was
no light within the room, aud after
placing the inanimate form upon the
sofa he groped his way to the match
safe, and lighted the gas. AS the
soft radiance shown through the
room he sprang back with an excla-
nation of surprise and delight. His
pictures! The face of his id0lized
ones! AT the sound the younger
started up and looked toward him.
How beautiful she was, with her
hood falling back and the damp
valves Of chesnut hair clinging to
her broad white forehead, and great
lustrous eyes fixed upon him In won
der, Bertam could not speak.
any mother!" she began with
quivering lips.
Pardon me! forgot myself"-
and he went out, brought wines, cor
dials, and labored until the blood stole
back In little flashes and the dark
eyes opened. For several moments
she did not seem to understand the
strange room and surroundings; but
when the younger spoke, she said:
"Agnes, darling!
"Mother, are you bctter""
"Yes, yes"
Agnes! 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 hel
daughter.
~ wish to bid you goodnight, and
thank you for your kindness. If II
were In my power would"
Madam, | beg you to sit down
| have spent months in searching fol
you, and beg you, now have fOunt
you, to remain here. II you are viii
ling to confer u favor upon me, re
main here Tonight, ut least"
Searching for us! What do yo,
mean?'
"You will learn one day. lowe
you all possess"
She sat back seemingly petrified
with astoniShment.
"Who are you? never met you
You owe me nothing"
"Will yeu remain here?'
"Yes, If you need u.s."
After q time the noble looking
woman sat in a comfortable chai
near the CRATE, her lovely daughter n
her feet, and Ralph Bertram brpugh
forth the sketch and told the story.
"And are you the great painter
Ralph Bertram" asked Agnes.
"I am Ralph Bertram," he answer
ed smilingly.
"And the great picture Of which
we have read, was only poor MANN;
and I, sitting upon the bank of tina
beautiful river in the country wher
we visited last summer. How Yer,
strange"
Agnes LaGrange was happy an,
contented in the splendid room an,
with her head resting in her mother
lap heard her tell the story of he
fathers death, their flight across tn
sea from the beautiful home il
France, of their struggles and hard
ships, and their utter loneliness, am
smiled when Ralph Bertram CAV
his hand and begged them to accer
his friendship.
The Art Gallery was crowded, an
all the fashion of the city was ou
, promenading up and down the gran
D anu oShhC
r picture, to admire and compliment
: All at once there was buzz, and tn
| crowd parted on either side. Dow
the opening came Bertram with
( lady leaning on either arm, and a
! he passed Il murmui went around
/ "rhe face Is his picture Ho'
f beautiful! How perfect |"
Ralph was never happier nor prou
der than when he stool with his fai
, companions and heard their words c
r praise, and when Agnes whispered :
at is grand, Ralph, and 1 al
proud of you"
: "My darling, your praise is wort
more than all else to me-" he al
swrred, and he pressed her hand ten
derly, and looked into the dark eyes
worshipping her glorious beauty wit
all his heart.
Once more the world gathered +
envy and admire, when the hand
/, some artist and Agnes Lagrange stoo
before the altar in the great church
and were made one.
The great picture brought him
fortune, and the original brought hin
comfort and peace.
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