The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-12-26
Mr.. Bellair's Widow.

49, Ou ksiOG, e1lH tlft WluOH, III
voice smothered with sobs, ''tiie mis-
fortnne'-here she applied delicate
cambria handkerchief to her eyes
''the loss"-she could get 70 further.
Her visitor bowed, with an air o
respectful condoIence.
81 WISH" continued fhe widow-E.l
wish to erect monument TO the mem
ory of my poor husband. / have cho.
sen you to execute the order" She
had become somewhat calner.
The sculptor bowed again.
81 wish the monument to be superb
worthy of the dear companion
whom L have lost; proportioned 10
my" She was getting hysterical
Her visitor handed her Il bottle oi
salts that stood convenient on the lit
tie work table
The widow resumed. spare no
expense. I would willingly conse-
crate my whole fortune 10 honor his
memory"
a pause, which the sculptor hesita-
ted to break.
Il should like" said the widow
again, coming to the point, "a temple
with marble columns, and in the mid
dle,upon pedestal, his statue" Here
she swallow sob.
Il shall do my best to fulfill your
wishes, ma'am," replied the Anan OF
art. 81 had not, however, the honor
of personally knowing the late Mr..
Bellslr, and his likeness is indispen-
sable to the completion of the design.
Doubtless you have portrait OF
him"
The widow raised her rounded arm.
and pointed to magnificent portrait,
by one of our first artists.
"An admirable painting!" said the
visitor. Il need not ask YOU if the re-
semblance is striking"
1T is himself! Life is all that is
needed. GAh! If I could have given
mine for his" The handkerchief was
again in requisitien.
81 will send for the portait ma'am,
and guarantee that the likeness shall
be exact"
Send for the portraitln cried the
widow, with stIfied shriek; "take
from me my only consolation, my On
ly happiness. i'Never."
'sBnt na'ain, it will@only be for q
little whi!e."
"a little whilel An age. How
could [ live without the dear image
1t quits me neither day nor mig ]
contemplate it without ceasing, thro
my tears. 1t will never be remoy-
ed out of this room, where / shall pass
the remainder OF miserable exist
ence!"
The widow had worded herself up
10 such q pitch of feeling. that the
sculptor rose to ring the bell for as
sistancc. But she laid a white hand
upon his coat-sleeye, and he sat down
again.
The widow had worked herself up
to such Il pitch of feeling, that the
sculptor rose TO ring the bell for as
sistance But she laid a white hand
upon his coat sleeve.
"Then you will allow ME ma'am
to come here to take Il copy OF il. BE
notalarmed: l shall not long invade
your solitude. * single sitting will
suffice"
Tho widow agreed to ibis arrange
Iuert and requested the sculptor II
&C iii1nence the next day. But he had
previous order TO execute. She
would have leveled the difficulty with
gold; but he stood firm.
.eMy word is pledged" he said; "de
not, however, be troubled about thf
delay. will work SO diligently thai
the monument shall be finished with
in the time that another artist would
have requested fer consideration"
"You have been witness of my
sorrow" were the widows parting
words: "you may Imagine my impa-
thence to sec the work completed
Make your best haste spare no ex
pense, and let nae have master
piece"
He had afterwards several letters
respecting these injunctions.
At the end of three months the
sculptor returned. He found The
, widow in the deepest mourning; bu
her cheek was less pale, and there
was slight tinge of coquetry in the
arrangement of her weeds.
"Now, ma'am," said the visitor, 81
am at your disposal"
"Ah! well, am glad TO hear it,
/ replied the widow, with q gracious
smile.
II have sketched the statue, ant
( shall need only one sitting to trans
fer the resemblance. Permit me tt
enter your boud oir."
"And, Wherefore ?'' inquired the
1 widow, with an air of surprise.
! .'To see the portrait"
! "Oh! will you walk into the draw
ing room? 1t is there Gu will finC
lit now (" -
Indeed ~
ayes; there is much better ligh
than in the boudoir, where you frs
saw it"
Would you like to look at tn
1 sketch of the monument, ma'am ?"
-'Wfilingly. How grand! Wha
exquisite ornaments! Why, it is
palace, this tomb !" exclaimed the wild
ow. .t
y .You told me, ma'arn, that it coul'
not be too magnificent. l have spar
sd no expense; and here is an esti