Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-08-18
THE PICTURE.

ing waters OF the river, and when tn,
tide was high dropped down the long
trailing ivy vine to kiss the laughing
waves-they sat, two women! One
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 face sad reflection of the past
while the other, many years younger,
half knelt at her feet, and with q smile
upon her red lips, and the light of hope
in her glorious eyes, played with the
light moss upon the bank beside her.
1t was perfect picture; for the twi.
light crept in and fell across the fore.
ground just enough to bring the wonder
ous beauty into relief.
70 the artist eyes of Ralph Bertram.
who, wandering down the river bank
came upon them, it was a perfect hnr,
mony of light and shade-an exact sub.
ject for masterpiece. Then and there
he sat down and sketched until the dark
ness shrouded the whole and shut it from
his view. He took his sketch home, and
for hour sat and gazed upon it enraptur
ed with the glorious beauty of the faces.
Who were they, or rather who was she ?
Who was the girl with her dreamy, happy
face, and dark, melting eyes, with their
hopefulness and trust +?
When morning dawned he went down
again to the rivers bank, and watched
and waited for hours; but they never
came. Lie inquired of every passer; but
no one knew them. One would sov.
"Ah, yes, | have seen thcm--two women.
one oli and sad, the other young and
happy. do not know their names"
Another woul,l declare he was never
aware OF their existence; and thus Ralpb
found his search vain one. He went
on working day and night upon his pic
t'lre, and at last it was complete; and
when ne went up to his studio in the citv.
and placed it there, his friends held nm
their hands in admiration and worshiped
1t; and before many days it found place
IN the most renowned art gallery. and all
the world went crazy over it.
Thus Ralph Bertram became cclebra.
ted; and orders came upon him foster
than he could fill them. He became the
lion OF the season; and far and near his
praises were sung. But to him il was
as nothing when thoughts of his beloved
picture came and hour after bour ha
sat and gazed upon that beautiful face
like one entranced.
~ believe, Mr.. Bertram, that you arc
positively in love with that young face y
said belle, as she came upon him in the
gallery. "Was it from life or your own
that you painted,it9"
From life!"
Impossible /! 1t must have been n
dream No living woman was ever .
blessed with such beauty
eyes, one /"
The lady went away, and before night j.;
'ne-half the world declared him crazy.
1t must be so, for no woman ever :
possessed such rare beauty. 1t was a .
lream, mere hallucination p {
Bertram heard it all and laughed. :,
'erchance the day might come when he =
ould bring this wondrous beauty before = =
hem end convince them and with this :, y
ope he labored and sought her far and :. i
7ide. '''' '''''' W
1t was cold, bitter night, and round " "
ne corners the wind swept, bringing 6, e.
nth it fitful gusts of hard, cutting sleet D. D.
nd penetrating to the bone every I'M l.,
'rtunate being who Glanced to be =,
broad. Bertram came briskly down - =,
le street from his studio, warml v wrap ~ ~
ed in heavy coat, with vision of his w "
leasant rooms before him, and lightly s as
an opera. He had turned -,
ON the principal street, and was walk +
g along where all was quiet, when he 70
'ddenly came upon two women, who
ood near the iron railing in front of the
)use.
." Mother, said one, "it is but a little ne
rther. Do try to keep up! Here. DIR
an upon me? Mother, mother!" up
She was vainly trying to support the ey
liking form, but not all her STRENGTH tw
uld prevent her from falling. And d,
'rtram sprang forward in time to re- an
i've her in his strong arms as she fell ee
ck. 70,
'' Mother, oh, my mother p was the cal
Id, despairing cry. an,
= Don't. be alarmed, miss She has an,
y tainted. My abode is here, close th.
hand, and if you will assist me, 1 will an,
'e your mother there" the
Inc young woman obeyed him with ne,
word, and with hnr assistance ret
iph Lore the senseless form to his les
CANT apartments. There was no light hal