The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1873-09-11

before his easel, and day alter day Cam
paspe sat patiently in whatever hight be
chose to place her, no picture was ever go
long in the making es this promised to be
1t was q soft morning in October, and
the balmy ar lifted gently the rich cur
tains which draped the windows of the ar
lists studio. Everywhere in unnoted
profusion lay scattered rich tokens of the
painters art. In the midst of all Appel
les stood alone before the portrait Of Cam
paspe, ever and anon giving a touch TO a
face which already seemed beyond the
painters art to add too or improve As
he worked, he sand to himself little SON
net, with words and music of his own ma
king. 1t ran thus:
"Cupid and my Campaspe played
Atcards fer kIsses-Cup pid paid;
He stakes his quiver, bow and arrows,
His mothers doves, and seams of spHrrows
Loses them too; then down he throws
The coral Of his lips. the rose
Growing ones cheek [but none knows howl
With these the crystle of his brow,
Ar sien the dimPle of his chin
All these did my Campaspe win,
At last he set her both hEs eyes --
She won, and Cupid blind did rise.
o. Love has she done this to the?
What shall, alasl become of me
AS his song errcie65 the painter stood
with rapt eyes gazing on the picture -
30, Goddess Of Beauty. and mother of
Love, he murmured, "on whose shrine
hitherto l have laid the best work my
hand has wrought, grant me that boon
which thou gavest before to Pygmalion.
As thou transformed his marble INTO flesh
inspired by soul, so turn my picture in
to the living and breathing woman. Or,
if Alexander will have my canvass, let him
yield me Campaspe in its stead. For no
less price will ever part with it. Ah
Campaspe, beautiful Campaspel would
that thou knewest how dear thou hast be-
come to me. So dear that TO part with
thy picture were worse than death, unless
could have thyself in exchange"
While Appelles spoke, the entrance cur
tains moved, and Campaspe entered the
apartment. She walked to the low couch,
placed on a small dias, made for her to oc-
cupy when she would sit for her picture.
Startled by her sudden entrance, Appel
les turned to look upon her. She sight Of
the maiden almost daZzled his sight and
took away his breath. The color in her
cheeks was deepsned into a richer carna-
tioH than he had ever seen them wear
Her eyes overfowed with look at once
so tender and appealing, that the glance
sunk deep into his heart. Her soul shone
so through her face, that for moment
she seemed more like spirit than NOR
tai, and the painter, gazing on her, threw
down his brush desparlngly and approach
ed her,
alt Is in vain, Campaspe," he said sadly.
"These months past have tried thy sha&
ow on my canvass. 1t is beyond art. No
painter can paint that which is divine"
"What treason in the painter of goddess
ses to speak thus p said the girl playful
ly. "Didst not the very brush which thou
threwest down Just now so disdainfully,
paint Aphrodite in such perfection that
she has forever blessed thee with her fa-
vor?"
"Ah, yes" returned Appelles, al paint
ed the goddess from my imagination, but
thou art too dear a reality"
perhaps thou art tired of endeavoring
to paint my portrait" said Campaspe,
''and would fain give up the task"
"CampasPe, how you wrong me IN such
a thought To paint Aphrodite was a
pleasure, but to paint thee is heaven"
As the painter said this, he half reclined
upon the dias upon which her couch was
placed, and looked up into her face so ar
IDENTIFY, that the color there deepeneI IN
der its gaze.
"In truth, Appellas," she said, half-re-
proachfully, you forget your art. 1
thought you were to paint with your hand,
tering tongue"
What he would have answered cannot
be known, for again the entrance curtains
opened, and Alexander entered wIte He
phestion. His keen eye took IN at
glance her blushes, the attitude of Appel
les, the brush thrown down, and the neg
leoted portrait, His eyes flashed light
nings, and he lowered to his full height
above the offending pair. Appelles rose
to his feet, and met his anger with a
steady glance.
al have been but foolish wooer, Ap-
pelles, said the monarch, graVely, "and
you false friend. You knew well that
loved this maiden, when entrusted her
to thee to put on thy canvass"
al knew it, king Alexander, and know
ing it, have guarded my !iis from any
word Of love to her." answered the pant
er.
"Qou cannot deny that you do love her."
srid the monarch, fercely,
"No, do not wish to deny that. Who
could see her daily as have, and not love
her with all his heart? He would either
be less than a man, or more that god"
"And you, Campaspe," asked Alexan-
der, turning to where she sat tremblingly
watching the interview, "do you love
Apelles ?' -
The maiden turned pale and red by
turns But looking at Apelles, who stood
looking at her as if his souls fate hung on
her answer, she said in a clear voice Il
love Apelles."
Alexander's face grew darker. He rais-
ed his arm as if he would strike the two
lovers to the eartn. His eye met the ap-
pealing glance of Campaspe, who waited
as If breathlessly expecting her death blow
A sudden revulsion of feelinS overcame
him. He toek Campasps's little cold haud
and placed it in that of Apelles.
"Here, Apelles," he said, firmly, 81 give
her to thee frankly. see cannot con-
quer hearts, though may subdue nations.
She is thine, love her as dearly as thou
wilt"
The two lovers, overcome with Joy and
gratitude, sank togather at the kings feet.
"Now, Alexander, thou art indeed a
king" exclaimed Hepestiop,
Thanks, good Hep@stion. 1t were
shameful in me to be a conquorer, if I
could not command myself Now, then,
sweet friend, when the world is all mine,
find me new planets to subdue; else / will
punish thee, by again falling In love"