The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-02-12


finished picture thereon and put it aside.
1t was likeness of Stella in her former
fresh young beauty-now never to be
finished, he feared.
He placed fresh canvass in its place,
and then proceeded to mix his colors.
That done he sat with his palette in one
hand and his brush in the other, gazing
upon the virgin canvas with II listless,
weary, almost vacant look.
Hunger was knawing ut his vitals,
and his brain swan. Mournful muir
murs proceeded from the little bed in
the other corner of the room.
Claude turned to see Stella with fam
ing cheeks and starring eyes sitting up
right on the edge of the scanty pallet,
and heard her mutter:
Yes, father-ycs. I will will"
and then step to the floor.
He flew to her side.
"This will never do-must not be, "
he said, as he laid her unresisting form
back upon the bed. ''She must and
shall have medical aid and food; yes,
even if have to steal for it"
He scowled ticrcely, and strobe to the
nail where his cap hung; then hurried
from the house, locking the door be
hind him.
For few seconds complete silence
reigned; then the sick girl rose slowly,
smilingly, from recumbent position,
and holding out her hand us if to grasp
another. She mnrmured:
Yes, father, will will"
Then she glided to the easel and
seated herself; took up the brush and
palette, and without moments hesita-
ton sketclIed the outlines of female
head; then the colors grew beneath her
marvellous beauty.
She painted and talked in u sweet,
sibilant voice, with faint smiles and shy
looks, rs though she worked at the in
stigation Of teacher.
Her brush seemed to fly over the can
vas, and yet every stroke was mastery
one, every line perfection. The features
seemed lifelike, and as if it must speak |!
But it was no earthly face Stella's
hand had produced-a light as from
another world cleaned on the picture;
and as it neared completion, tho color
faded from the artists face as it grew in
the spirit face before her.
1t was done. Claude opened the door,
and his eyes foil upon the empty bed.
With cry he flew to his sisters side;
but when he caught sight of the picture
he recoiled, and gasped:
My mother! and yet not my mother
her angel! Oh! Stella, Stella, my
darling, what prompted You to do this ?
1t is Il marvel of beauty, but fear your
dear life will pay the forfeit! 1 have
been gone longer than l expected, but
1 have been over half of Florence
hoping to find doctor willing to do Il
deed of charity, and have at last sue
ceeded. am weary almost unto death,
and so hungry l could eat almost any
thing-but-why, Stella, Stella" he
cried, clasping her limp form in his
arms.
"How you look! l don't think you
have heard word have been saying.
Shut your eyes-lon't you look sO--you
brighten me--come to bed, dear-it is
almost daylight--you need rest-you
have done fearful nights work."
Saying which he lifted her slender
figure in his arms and gently put her on
the bed.
The strained eyes closed, and the
breath becoming regular, a peaceful,
holy smile irradiated the delicate fea-
lures, and she slept.
AS daylight broke through the eastern
sky, tinting the world with u mellow
light of promise, the man of science and
charity arrived. He looked ut the sleep
ing girl with pitiful eyes; tears arose
unchecked, and rolled over his bearded
cheeks, as he muttered:
Starving. starving!"
Then he caught sight of the picture
Great God, boy! what are you both
dying of hunger for when you can paint
like that?' he tiercely asked.
"Sir, my sister has painted that since
midnight"
What! Boy, you are insane! Why,
there is IL months work in it,
Nevertheless, sir, the canvas was
clean when l left it at eleven O'Clock,
and found her in front of it, and that
picture there when l returned one hour
ago"
1t is miracle, witchcraft, or some
thing-whcre did she get her model
l never saw SO perfect, so heavenly Il
face. Where did she obtain her model,
boy?"
From heaven" he revercntly an
swered; 4" it is my angel MOTHER
The doctor whitcned to his lips.
Boy, the hand of God is in this.
You cannot starve with talent like that.
What your sister most needs is food and
rest. l will give her something to
strengthen her shattered nerves: and
you must go and get her food and wine.
l will he your banker until fortune
smiles on you, which time is not far Off
So, here, take my purse and supply
your larder bonntifully. I shall, with
your permission, carry off this picture
NOT To soil do NOT foar hut A1, 1xl, LIZ :.