Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-09-06
hss only tainted. My abode is
here, close at hand, aud if you will
assist me, [ will take yonr mother

Ihe young woman obeyed him
without a word, and with her as
sistance Ralph bore the senscless
form to his elegant apartments :
There was no light within the
room, and. after placing the inani-
mate form upon the sofa, he lighted
the gas. AS the soft radiance shone
through the room, he sPrang back
with an exclamation of surprise
Land delight. His pictures! The
faeesof his Molized onel At the
sound, the younger started up and
looked toward him. How beautiful
she was, with her hat falling back,
and the damp waves of chestnut
hair clinging to her broad, white
forehead, and the great lustrous
eyes fixed upon him in wonder!-
Bertram could not speak
"My mother!'' she began with
quivering lips.
"Pardon me! I forgot myself
And he brought wine, cordials,
and labored until the blood stole
back liz little fushes, and the dark
eyes opened. For several moments
she did not seem to understand the
strange roolE and surroundings;
but when the younger spoke, she
said: "Agnes, darling y
"Mother, arc you better 2"
eyes, yes ~
Agnes! 1t was like her. Pure,
good, beautiful, saint'lke
Bertram sat in the window until
they called him. The elder was
standing in the center of the room,
her mantle thrown around her, and
one hand resting upon the shoulder
of her daughter.
81 wish to bid you goodnight,
and thank you tor your kindness
If it were in my power, l would
"Madam, l beg you to sit down.
I have spent months in searching
for you; and | beg you, now that |
have found you, to remain here. If
you are willing to confer a favor
upon me, remain here tonight, at
least'
"Searching for us! What do yon
mean 2''
"You will learn one day +! [ owe
you all | possess"
She set back, seemingly petriied
with astonishment.
"Who are you l never met
you. You owe me nothing"
"Will you remain here ?''
Yes, if you need me-"
After a time, the noble-lookin e
woman sat ill comfortable chair
near the CRATE, her lovely daughter
at her feet; and Ralph Bertram
brought forth the sketch, and told
the story.
"And are you the great painter,
Ralph Bertram ?" asked Agnes.
81 am Ralph Bertrum," he aD-
swered, smilingly.
"And the greatspicture of which
we haYesread, was only poor mann
ma and I, sitting upon the bank
Of that beautiful river in the coun-
try where we visited last summer.
How strange !"
Agnes la Grange was happy and
contented in the splendid room (;
and with >her1head resting in her
mothers lap, heard her tell the
story of her fathers death, their
flight from their beautiful home in
France, Of their struggles and
hardships, and their utter loneli-
ness, and smiled when Ralph 5er
tram gave his hand and begged
item TO Receipt bis friendship =
The art gallery WAS crowded,
and all the fashion of London was
out and promenading up and down
theggrand Saloon, and passing be
sffosel lRalylk Bertram S picture, to
admire and comment. All at once
there was buzz, and the crowd
parted on either side. Down the
opening came Bertram, with lady
leaning on either arm, and as he
passed a murmur went around 5:
"The faces in his picture !
How beautiful How perfect |"
Ralph5 was never happier or
prouder than when he stood with
his fair companions and heard
their words of praise, and when
Agnes whispered
''It is grand, Ralph, and [ am
rrou6 of vOu ,,
''My darling, your praise is
worth more than all else to me"
he answered and be pressed her
hand tenderly, ard looked into ihe
dark eyes, worshiping her glorious
beauty with all his heart.
Once more the world gathered
to envy and admire, when the
handsome artist and his love. stood
before the altar in fashionable
church, aud were made one.
The great picture brought him a
fortune; and the originals brought
him comfort and peace.
Forgive any, sooner than thyself.