The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-06-04

SycS bnoNo WAS StIanSe yearninB.
"Diderot," she reiterated. "Clarion
Diderot." Her voice trembled as
she uttered the words, and its tone
awakened a thrill in the artist S heart.
As though actuated by sudden
thought, she extended her hand,
kindly saying:
| "It is ! who should offer excuses.
| | mistook you for a friend / much
desire to see. Pardon the passing
annoyance"
I She drew the check rein, and in a
moment more Diderot found him
self upon the sidewalk Watching the
retreating carriage, and dreaming Of
the brilliant eyes of the singular
woman.
Her voice had awakened a train Of
thought which recalled never-to-be-
forgotten circumstance; but contrast
ing the two women, the one seen,
with the vision of the hour, he
laughed bitterly at the passing
thought that could tempt him to
think there could be any similarity
between two, and scoffed at the folly
that led him to cling to hope which
each succeeding month rendered
more fallacious.
On the following morning, while
standing in the art gallery attending
to the hanging of picture which he
had just finished, Diderot was ac-
costed by fellow artist, an old man,
who had in earlier days encouraged
and befriended him.
"Clarion, are you invited to Nine.
de Camargo's reception for tonight"
he inquired.
Il am, but have declined" he re-
piled.
II know your dislike for society
| have accepted, and feeling unwill-
ing to go alone, l beg you to accom-
pany me. l would have declined
but the late Marquis de Camargo was
one of my best friends, and his
widow oesires my presence at this.
her first reception since the death o.
the Marquis. Will you go, Diderot
as favor to meP"
A refusal was upon the painter
lips, but feeling Of gratitude with
held the words, and SO they parted
to meet again in the evening. Wher
Clarion entered the brilliantly hit
ed rooms, quite number of guests
had assembled. Listlessly he fol
lowed his companion, scarcely seem
ing to observe the surroundings,
and deaf to those who pronounced
his name with expressions of pleas
ure at meeting him.
1t was not until he heard the name
of Nine. la Marquise de Camargo
pronounced that he raised his eyes.
One glance sufiiced for him to recog-
nize in her the lady he had met the
day previous. With a sweet smile
she offered her hand.
"M. Diderot and myself have met
before, she said, land with an easy
grace and unembarrassed manner re-
lated the meeting of the day previ-
GUS, adding, 81 mistook him for q
gentleman who. having extended my
invitation for this evening TO M.,Di-
derot, had written to say it was de-
clined, which regret I was not dis
posed to accept"
Clarion gazed at her eagerly; he
seemed to drink in each note of her
melodious voice. He fingered at her
side, seldom addressing her, but
watching inently
Occupied by his thoughts and by
the strange fascination of la Marquise
he avoided the many acquaintances
who claimed his attention, and saun-
tered through the rooms, his eyes
charmed with the exquisite objects of
art and luxury that adorned the apart
ments. Seeking quiet corner where
while resting he could listen to the
music, Diderot at length found his
way to little bcudoir which opened
into conservatory filled with rare
and exquisite plants. In this room
Nine. de Camirgo seemed to have
concentrated all that she could CON
ceiye to be beautiful. Blue carpets
that yielded noiselessly to each foot
fall; rich silk curtains ~ cerculean
hue were parted each side of the en-
trance, before which hung O cloud of
lace; couches and reclining chairs OF
the same soft hue; flowers arranged
in delicate stands Of glass or silver;
here marble Venus, there parian
statueite SO perfectly moulded that
it seemed very wonder Of beauty,
and over all happy mingling Of
color, which, together with the mel
low light that pervaded the room, as
! ii were, like spell of bewilderiDg
Eminent.
eyes wandered slowly from OBJ
D object. At length they rested
picture at tho further end. I'm
TO distinguish it clearly, he rose
mining it more closely and found
astonishment that il was one
is own productions. The one,
,d, produced after his meeting
1.-THE stranger, who by her touch
had laid a spell upon his life. 1t
was the painting that had won him
fame. Time passed.
The singnlarity Of the combined
train of circumstances struck him
forcibly, and seating himself before
the picture he SOON forgot all save
the strange mystery.
Suddenly the rustic Of silk dress
attracted his attention. and raising his
eyes he saw Mme. de Camargo. She
had entered the conservatory; the
back ground formed by the exotic
garden, together with the woman
herself, at once creating an exquisite
tablenu. The very air seemed hush
cd, the sound of music and dancing
had died away, and there was perfect
stiffness. Bewildered, stirred with
tremulous warmth, sense Of pleas