The Placer herald., 1874-02-28
The MILLIONAIRE'S WIDOW.
A STORY FOUNDED ON FACT.

Lasting grief exists only IN the literature o
the tombstone. In this world, there is tot
generally, but one sort Of widows who are
Observation-Disclosures who refuse to be com
forted because they can't get married again
One Of our most distinguished sculptors wa,
summoned, shcrt time since, to the hous,
Of young widow. He traversed the apart
ments, silent and deserted, until be was in
troduced into the boudoir, and found him
self in the presence of lady, young and
beautiful, but habited in the deepest mourn
ing, and with face furrowed by tears.
"You have come in answer to my sum
mons, said she, with painful effort, and q
voice half choked by sobs.
| "You know the misfortune here sht
applied q delicate cambrc handkerchief to
her eyes" the oss'"-she could 20 ne
further.
The artist bowed, with an air of respect.
ful coincidence.
81 wish, continued the widow-"I wish
to erect a monument to the memory Of my
poor husband. have chosen you to exc
cute the order" She had become some.
what calmer.
The sculptor bowed again.
IL wish the monument to be superb
worthy Of the dear companion l have lost;
prof. ortioned to my" She was getting
hysterical. Her visitor handed her a bottle
Of salts that stood convenient on the little
work table.
The widow resumed "Spare no expense.
would willingly consecrate my whole fort
une 10 honor his memory"
A pause, which the sculptor hesitated to
break.
Il should like" said the widow again
coming to the point ga temple-with COL
umns-n marble-and in the middleton a
pedestal statue" Here she became
completely broken down with continued Sob
bing:
~ shall do my best to fulfill your wishes,
madam" replied the man Of art. 81 had
not, however, the honor of personally know
lug the late Mr.. Bellair, and his likeness is
indispensable to the completion Of the design.
Doubtless you have portrait Of him"
The widow raised Ler rounded arm
and pointed to a magnificent portrait, by
one of our first artists.
"A most admirable picture" observed the
sculptor: land the paiIater'r name is a suf-
ficient guarantee for its striki ing resemblance
to the original"
"Those are his very features, sir; it is
himself. 1t wants but life. All, would
that could restore it to him at the cost Of
my fortune"
81 will have this portrait carried to my
studio, madam, and promise that the mar
bic shall reproduce It, exactly"
The widow, at these words, sprang up.
and, throwing herself toward the picture,
with arms set out as though to defend it,,
exclaimed:
"Take away this portrait! carry off my
only consolation! my sole remaining comfort!
never! never!"
"But, madam, you will only be deprived
Of it for short time, and"
"Not An hour-not minute could exist
without bis beloved image! have had it
placed here in my own rooRa, that my eyes
might be fastened upon it without ceasing,
through my tears. His portrait shall never
leave this spotane single instant, and in con-
templating that will paqs the remainder Of
miserable and sorrowful existence"
"In that case, madam, you will be COM
relied to permit me to take a copy of it.
But do not be uneasy shall not have oc
casion to trouble your solitude for any length
Of time; one sketch--one sitting will suf-
| fee"
The widow agreed to this arrangement;
she only insisted that the artist should come
back the following day. She wanted him
to set to work on the instant, 80 great was
her longing to see the mausoleum erected
The sculptor, however, remarked that he
had another work to finish first. The diff
Guilty she sought to overcome by means Of
money.
"Impossible, replied the artist, 81 have
given my word; but do not distress your
self. will apply myself to it so diligently
that the monument shall be finished in az
short time as possible"
"You see my distress" said the widow
"you must make allowance for my imps-
tience. Be speedy, then, and above all
be lavish of magni6cence. Spare no ex-
pepse; only lot me have a masterpiece"
Several letters echoed these injunctions
during the few days Immediately following
the interview.
At the end of three months the sculptor
returned. He had completed the work he
had 10 hand, and had drawn an elaborate
design Of the contemplated masterpiece.
He found the widow still in the deepest
mourning; but her cheek was less pale, and
there was . slight tinge Of coquetry in the
arrangement Of her weeds.
"Now, madam." said the visitor, 81 am
At your disposal"
"Ab! we'll, am glad to bear it. replied
the widow, with gracious smile.
al have selected the statue, and shall
need only one sitting to transfer the resem-
blauce. Will you permit me to enter your
boudoir :"
"And. wherefore :? inquired the widow,
With Al air of surprise.
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