Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-04-06
THE TWIN PORTRAITS

A rising artist So Gilbert Lawson
was called, but only by small circle OF
his especial friends. Otherwise he was
entirely unknown to fame. But he was
hopeful. Once he saw an eagle leave Its
nest, and soar up high towards the sun,
while its unfeathered young fluttered,
but remained behind unable to follow.
He felt that it was much the same with
himself-that struggles would strength
en- his pinions, and he would In time be
able to ascend the great ladder of fame.
And SO he toiled increasingly.
For some months he had been engaged
upon a portrait. He had found his
model in a young girl, perhaps twelve
wears of age. He had first seen her In
the streets, and she was beggar, or the
next thing to it-she was a street singer
When her voice first fell upon his ears
it thrilled him, for it was wildly beauti-
full. He knew that voice trembled. He
saw her hand as it was extended to re-
ceive the pitiful coin dropped into 1t,
and he observed that this trembled
also, and that it was very tiny and deli
cate. Then he looked upon her face.
Her eyes were of heavenly blue, but
wore a sad expression and were down
cast. Her golden hair fell in tangled
masses over her shoulders-indeed, she
was beautiful, although no one but the
Young and enthusiastic painter had as
vet especially noticed that beauty.
When he explained to her his wish, her
face became radiant with pleasure,
which lent it an additional charm.
The pictme was completed and the
artist sat gazing on it. He could scare
" decide in his own mind which he
loved the best-the original or the sem
blance. But, dropping curtain before
the work, he arose, and walked to the
window, gazing into the street. A sigh
escaped him, and so absorbed were his
Thoughts that he didnot observe the en-.
trance of a second party until hand
was placed on his shoulder, and voice
said "Glbert, ] have called to see
YOU; work, as / promised you.
The artist blushed and even trembled,
and as he lifted the covering, remarked :
"Mr. Byrd, my fate depends upon q
few words which you will speak now. /
have thrown my whole soul into this
picture, and am everything or moth
ing. You are an old painter-speak
candidly-tell me just what you think. "
II was some moments before the young
man raised his eyes, aud then only when
attracted by the long continued silence
of his friend. When he did so he saw
that Mr.. Byrd was pole as death, had
sunk into chair and that he trembled
violently. He sprung to his side with q
cup of water, and when the old man had
partially recovered, he asked: What,
In the name of Heaven, is the matter
with you, my friend2"
"Where is your model 9-who is your
model" gasped Byrd. =.
All was explained, and then the old
man continued:
"rake your painting; come with me
to my house.
Gilbert followed his old friend, and
he entered O superb mansion in due
time, and was then taken direct to the
studio. His own picture was placed be-
side another, and it was the young mans
turn to start in surprise, for here was
two portraits exactly alike with the ex
ception of the dress. -,
MIR. Byrd now said: ''Be seated.
I will tell you Gilbert, and a secret
which has never been breathed to morta
mau before. Twenty years ago painted
the likeness of my only daughter, and
the picture that you see before you
She was then ten years OF age; she If
now thirty, and still with Me-"
"May not this b, her chi!d-thls
model of nine"
"Listen. At the age of nineteen my
daughter did as many q good girl hat
done before her-she married, without
NV knowledge, one who was to me al
entire stranger, and nearly so to her
That husband proved to be villain, for
in two years after, he forsook her. More
than this-he took with him daugnte
by the name of Oracle. The blow nearl..
killed the mother and even time has
never healed the wound. 1 have mad
every effort to trace out the man, ant
recover our darling, but in vain.
gained such information, however, tina
I was satisfied he had died miserable Il
a distant town, and we have given htti
Oracle up as lost forever. Now you ca
account for my agitation when tirs
saw YOUR painting, can you not?"
II can divine your thoughts.
"What is the name Of your model !?
"I only know her as Katie, the stree
singer"
"You know where she can befound ?
eyes"
"Let us go for her at once.
In two hours after, the little begga
entered the splendid saloon OF the Byr
mansion. She was bewildered, for she ha
never gazed upon so much elegance b.
fore, except as she had seen it from tt
streets through the closely curtaine
windows. Her confidence was soon r
stored. however, by the kind treatmel
she received, and then she was cenduc
a a. tha sk1dy,