The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-11
THE PICTURE.

ing WaYe6-tley sat, Two Wuneu1 Oue'
with her arm resting upon broken col
umn, her dark eyes with the memory OF
the long ago stirring their brilliancy into
life, gazed afar out at the floating clouds,
her lace a sad reflection OF the pasti
while the other, many years younger,
half knelt at her Seet, and with a smile
upon her red lips, anu the light OF nope
in her glorious eyes, played with the
Hight moss upon the bank beside her.
1t was a perfect picture; for tue tWl-
Hight crept in aud fell across the lore
igTound lust enough TO bring the Won
Irous beauty into relief.
To the artist eyes of Ralph Bertram.
who, wandering down the river bank,
! came upon them, 1T was perfect mar
mony OF light and shade.-an exact sub
iect Tor masterpiece. Then ana there
| me sat down, and sketched until the
darkness shrouded the whole and shut
l1t from his view. He took his sketch
home, aud for hours sat and gazed upon
| it enraptured with the glorious beauty
Of the faces. VINO were Lhey, or rather
who was she? Who was the girl Win
her dreamy, happy face, and dark, melt
ing eyes,. with their hope1hlhess anu
| trust2
| When morning dawned he went down
apaln to the rivers bank, and watcheu
Land waited for hours; but tneY never
came, He inquired of every passer;
| Dut no one knew them. Ohe Woulu say'
can, yes, l have seen thelh-t"o
women. one Old and sad, the other y ounE
and happy. l 90 not KNOW 'ne'l
names" ,,o ho uos
Ineyer aware OF their eAlsteneei a"o
thua Ralph found his search vain one.
|
lunon his picture, and at last 1t was COM
I,iate. and when he went up 10 MS
srnd,o in The city, and placed 1t there
lhis friends held up their hanus III aoml-
Iration and worshiped it; ana before
MANY days it found place Al ohe hosS 7S
rannwned art gallery, and ali the woflo
went crazy over it, o,o
TDus Ralph Bertram becauie cele-
hrated: and orders came upon MN AasC'
ar than he could I'LL them. he became
rho lon of the season; and far ana neal
his nraises were sung. But 10 MIN IL
was as nothing when thoughts OF MS De-
Loved picture came; ana hour alter nou
ne sat and gazed upon that peau'ilu'
lace like one entranced.
~ believe, MIR. Bertram, that you are +,
positively i'll love with tnat young lace
aid a belle, as she came upon him III
the gallery, WAS it from lie OF YOU
own Inauguration InaF you P"in'e" ~
, "From lllew
.tlmpossiblel 1t must have been
1dreaml No living woman was eve
blessed with such beanLy."
Yes, oneV
The lady went away, and before nigh
lone.haf lhe world was jealous Oh Mi
; picture and declared INN crazy.
Sit must be 50, for no woman eve
l 1possessed such rare beauty. 1t was
dream, a mere Naturalization"
Bertram hearu it all and laughed
=, | PeIcuauce the day might come when h.
could bring This wonarous beauty Deior
mem ana convince them; and Wal
this hope he IaDOreu and sought her la
y y and wade.
e 1t was COLI, bitter night, and rount
i LAe corners me wind swept, brlngih
with At titlul gusts OF hard, cultlhg slee'
: and penetrating 70 the bone every uu
:, tnrluuAte peIng who CHANGED 70 b
{ abroad. Bartram came brlskly dow
the sLreet from his studio, Wafml
II wrapped in a heavy coat, with vislO
; ol hi, pleasaut rooms before him, an
:, I,xntly uumming an opera. lie ha
j. Lurned from Cne principal street, an
was nalking along where all was que
when he suddenly came upon l"
l. women, who stood near the iron railln
. 10 front OF the house. w
l. "Mother," SAID one, "it is but littl
u further. Do try to keep up! Here, lea
u uuon mel Mother, mOtherV
She was yainly trying 10 support IL
', sinking form, but not all her strengi
T. could prevent her from falling. Ar
to Berlram spraug forward In time to r
re ceiye her IN his strong arms as she !e
IL back.
"Mother, oh, my motherW was Il
in wild, despairing cry.
~ "Dou't be alarmed, Miss! She hi
v. only faiuted. My abode is here, clio
r. at hand, and if you will assist me, wi
n. take your mother there"
p Tpe young woman obeyed him wit
oul = word, and with her assistan
Ralvh bore The senseiess form 10 his Ell
IL vaut apartments. There was no lig
ls Within the room, and alter placing u
d. lnanlmaLe form upon the sofa, LIE llghl
1u ne gas, AS the soft radiance sho
~ lhsouxh the room, he sprang back WI
p au exclamation of surprise ana dellgl
His lectures! The face OF his idolz
as one! At the sound, the younger start
or M and looked toward him. How pea
ed ttiu she was, with her hat falling BAG
ry and the damp waves OF chestnut h;
b, inoiny to her broad white fo rehes
~ and the great lusJrous eyes liked up
OIL MIN in W0nderI Bertram could l
speak. .;., o,,,u,
lie my mother" she Degan' Will q"'''
ot Ing lips.
ell pardon mel loIepI NY seii'
ell Aud he brought WINE, cordlals, a
ny labored until the bluol stole back
20. little fusbes, and the dark eyes open'
,u- Fer several moments she dld not se
rs. TO understand the strange surroul
Ings: but when the younger spoke,
RI said, "Agnes, darlingW
~, "M .ner, are you beIterT
ia. Eyes, yesW
az AgnesI 1t was like her. Pure, go'
~ beautiful, satnt-likeI
,,tDv' Bertram saC in tie window until Ia
ho called hiln. The elder was standing
w me center Of the room, Der man
thrown around her, and one hand re
w ing on the shoulder Of her daughter.
y II wish to bid you good night, a
thank you Tor your Kindness. II II W
In my power, would"
"Madam, l beg you w sit down. hi
on spent months IN searching tor you; d
t u | peg you, now that have found you
ll' remain here. II you are willing to Q
~ ~ fer a lavor upon me, remain here
~ night, at least.
-, "searching ior US! what 90
H. |mean?n