The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-04-26
THE TWIN PORTRAITS.

THE TWIN PORTRAITS
A rising artist So Gilbert Lawson
was called, but only by small circle O.
his especial friends. Otherwise he wa
entirely unknown to fame. But he was
hopeful. Once he saw an eagle leave it
nest, and soar up high towards the sun
while it's unfeathered young luttered
but remained behind unable to follow
he felt that it was much the same will
himseE-that struggles would strength
en- his pinions, and he would in time b'
able to ascend the great ladder OF fame
And 80 be toiled increasingly.
For some monthshe had been engaged
upon q portrait. he had found hiI
model in q young girl, perhaps twelve
wears of age. He had first seen her IL
the streets, and she was beggar, or thu
next thing to it-she was street singer
When her voice first fell upon his ear
it thrilled him, for it was wildly beauti
full. He knew that voice trembled. Ht
saw her hand as it was extended to re
ceive the pitiful coin dropped into it,
and he observed that this tremble6
also, and that it was very tiny and deli
cate. Then he looked upon her face.
Her eyes were Of heavenly blue, bu,
wore 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 picture was completed and the
artist sat gazing on it. He could scarce,
ly decide in his own mind which ne
loved the best-the original or the se-n-
blauce. But, dropping curtain before
the work, he arose, and walked to the
window, gazipg into the street. A sigh
escaped him, and so absorbed were bis
thoughts that he didnot observe the en-.
trance of a second party until a hand
was placed on his shoulder, and a voice
said "Gilbert, ! have called to see
your work, as I promised you"
The artist blushed and even trembled,
and as he lifted the covering, remarked
".Mr. Byrd, my fste depends upon 9
few words which you will speak now. /
have thrown my whole soul into this
picture, and I am everything or moth
mo. You are an old painter-spea
candidly-ten me just what you think.
It was some moments before the young
man raised his eyes, and then only when
attracted by the long continued silence
of bis friend. When he did so he saw
that Mr.. Byrd was pale as death, had
sunk into q chair and that he trembled
violently. He sprung to his side with 9
cup of water, and when the old man hao
partially recovered, he asked: "What,
in the name of Heaven, is the matter
with you, my friendf"
"Where is your model2-who is youl
model9" gasped Byrd. >.
All was explained, and then the old
man continued:
"Take your painting; come with me
to my house.
Gilbert followed his old friend, ant
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 man's
turn to start in surprise, for here wat
two portraits exactly alike with the ex
ception of the dress. ... .
MIR. Byrd now said: "Be seated
Gilbert, and I will tell you secre
which has never been breathed to morta
man before. Twenty years ago painted
the likeness of my only daughter, snd
the picture that you see before you
She was then ten years Of age she Il
now thirty, and still with me"
"May not this be her child-thli
model Of miner"
"Listen. At the age of nineteen my
daughter did as many good girl hat
done before her-she married, without
my knowledge, one who was to me al
entire stranger, and nearly no to her
That husband proved to be villain, for
in two years after, he forsook her. More
than this-he took with him daughte,
by the name of Oracle. The blow nearly
killed the mother and even time has
never healed the wound. I have made
eyery effort to trace out the man, ano
recover our darling, but in vain.
gained such information, however, thai
I was satisfied he had died miserable II
a distant town, and we have given little
Oracle no as lost forever. Now you cal
account for my agitation when I frs'
saw your painting, can you not?v
II can divine your Thoughts"
"What is the name of your model Z
"I only know her as Katie, the street
singer" .,
SYou know where she can befound ?
eyes"
"Let us 90 for her at once"
In two hours after, the little beggal
entered the splendid saloon Of the Byrl
mansion. She was bewildered, for she hae
never gazed upon 80 much elegance be
fore, except as she had seen it from tht
streets through the closely curtainee
windows. Her confidence was soon re
stored, however, by the kind Treatment
she received, and then she was conduct
ed to the study.
AS ner eyes fell upon the pictures
she stood motionless for time, ant
then said: "Why, you have palntet
two pictures of me, instead OF one' Mr
Gilbert" =,
Yes-would you not like a copy 7
"Oh, 80 much!" she answered, ne
eyes becoming brilliant in anticipation,
"You shall have one of them. Whicl
do you prefera >, =,
"This, I feel as if I could love it r.
and the young creature knelt before tn
mother, while tears filed her eyes.
This was too much for the grand
father. He sunk into seat, and Gov
cred his face with his fingers.
"What is your name ?" asked IN
bert.
"Katie Courtney. I thought 20
knew that before"
"Courtney was his name," groane
the old man. .
"Do you remember your parents ?
again asked Gilbert.
"Only my father. He was not yer
kind to me, and died in Plymouth se'
eral years ago."