Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-11-01

and what pose will suit me best?
she said.
The artist placed her mechani
cally. He knew an unstudied posi-.
tion would be best for one so eX,
quisitely beautiful, for one who
needed no trick Of art TO add TO heI
grace.
do not fatter her Mr.. Herton.-
/ I only want a true portrait Of my
little girl, said Mr.. Moret0n, gay,
ly. He smiled with secret satisfac,
ton at the peerless beauty of his
child.
4 fear it would be beyond me TO
accomplish such q feat, even if !
wished so TO do answered Herton,
bowling. Then Mr.. Moreton with
drew. i will send Mrs. Twee,
dies to sit with you, Conny,5 he
said, as he quilted the room.
When the housekecPcr came, she
found her young mistress chatting
amiably with tho limner; and she,
being a sage, good natured matrOn,
merely bowed, sat down, and fell
asleep. Herton's skilled crayOn
soon skctched out the profile Of
/ Constance; true to life IL already
seemed, oven in it's roughuess, and
he worked away-his eyes ever riv-
eted upon the beautiful girl-slow-
| ly and carefully, for hcintended the
portait to be his master piece.
The days passed on, the picture
was finished, and Horton left his
patrons house richer than he had
been before, with encOmiums still
ringing in his ears, but a sinking
sensation at his heart; for, OF
course, from henccforth the door of
that little room, which Constance
Moreton's presence had converted
into an Elysian bower, would be
closed against him.
He soon found his time fully Oc-
cupied; for the merit exhibited in
his life-like portrait of Constance
had acquired for him host of pa
irons. But he was not happy
As one who has gazed at the sun
sees surrounding objects imperfect
ly for a while after-a yellow mist
ovcrhanging also had he baskcd
in the Tefulcent beams of her beau
ty, until now all seemed dim and
unsightly unto him. He loved her.
Yes. that it was so he could not de-
ny, even to himself He, a poor
artist, toiling for bread, loved a
pearl that would deck none but the
caskct of some wealthy man. lie
had no hope-uOt the rcmotest
chance-of winning her, and, in his
sadness of spirit ho almost doomed
her past kindness cruelty, in that
it had him 10 dream o. what could
never be realized.
Once, VIXEN he was strolling near
Mr.. MoretOn's house, he met Con
stance, and she greeted him cordi-
ally, and asked him cordially to
walk in and rest himself Horton
had fascinating way with him,
was well educated, and a good talk
or; SO she found pleasure in his So
ciety, and from that time forth he I.
frequently called ut tho house, f.
whence Mr.. Moreton was always
absent in the afternoon. Soon she /
began to feel conscious that he was
growing nearer to her; and, per
hapS, she also began to divine his /
secret. So, knowing that her faith
er would be angered at the thought T.
of her marrying an impecunious ar
tist. she plainly told Horton that it /
would be better they should NEE: /
no more.
They wcrc seated in a lit.le trsl- |
lised alcovc in the garden. The (
sun glintod in a warm stream Of |
mellow light through the foliage /
and flowers of the parasiucal plants, /
wound up the lattice-work, and |
shimmered on tho golden wavelets |
of her hair, while the balmy 20
phyrs wooed welcomely her rosy
checks. Horton listened anxious
ly to the words that fell from her
lips, and, as her voice faltcred in
conclusion, he drew her toward
him and gazed into her violet eyes. |
Miss Observation-Disclosures, he
said, d have thought Of this before.
l thought it would como, and look
ed with dread toward the evil
hour. Spurn me, you may; call me
base and prcsumptuous, ifyou will;
but l must tell you all Gro we part.
l love you. Yes, Constance, l have
loved you from the first hour l saw
you; each moment, each day have
enjoyed IN your society has made
you dearcr to mo-yeS, deacer than
life itself 1 know how little my
position entities me to seek to win
one so high in station as yourself,
but | have youth, strength, and a
bility. Give me q little nope; tell
me ! am not utterly indifferent to
YOU, and will work and slave day
and night TO win fame and wealth
for your sweet sake
alfred, be generous, | implore
you,' replied Constance, her bright
blue eyes sufFuscd witA tears. 4
can not say I do not love you, for l
do care for you very much, but l
fear my father will not consent TO
our union. Spare me by not ask
ing why! Do not ask me to deceive
hlm further. OF my own free will
l would promise TO be yours-ycs,
yours alone.-my souls peace is
bound up with yours-bUt l fear
our rcQuited love Will but cast q
blight upon our future lives. There
| is a barrier-I know not what-oE-
istng between us. My father alone
| knows. If he will remove il, OIL
how gladly will l como to you,-
Yes, to share your poverty and
lighter your toll; but l can not,
dare not disobcy him.
The storm burst that night in
Mr.. Noreton's stately mansion
Horton went boldly 10 his first pat
ron, and asked the hand of the girl
he loved.
Was it for this l first extended
q helping hand to you? Do I de-
serve this from you, of all mon
you whom l assisted, when IN ne.
. cessity? \ meet return for my
generosity, truly, that you aspire tc
we'd my daughter, and have su
borned her to deceive her father
. Go, migrate. Never more darker
my doors with your base shadow,
- Grid Moreton, in 4 tempest OF rage
, And Horton went out into th>
night, bowed down and broken il
heart and spirit All his cherished
l hopes and treasured asPcrat.on.
1 vanished, his blissful dreams o
/ peace and love changed 10 weir.
= Nightmares OF despair and evil.
@ Years rolled on-thC cver-chau.