Connecticut western news., 1877-12-28

My dear sir-I-really-I-I didn't mean" I stammered, perspiring at every pore, for the position was most painful.
 "No, mo-" he said hastily, 1T beg your pardon. But-but," he continued, striv- ing manfully to master his emotion, "I have been very i'll, sir, and I am weak. I have been nfortunate-almosts starving at times. I have not broken bread since yesterday morning-I could not without selling my colors. IT am much obGg- ed-forgive me-let me go back to town. Oh, my God, has is come to this p
 He sank back half fainting, but started as roared out, "Go away!" for Cobweb was coming into the room.
 "Thank you," he said, taking my hand as he saw what I had done. "It was kind of you.'
 "My dear fellow," said, "this Is terrible;' and mopped my face. "There, sit still-back directly" ran out to find Cobweb in the hall.
 "Oh, you dear, good father P she cried, with tears in her eyes. "What 8 kind surprise But is anything wrong p
 "Artist little faint" said. "Here, the sherry-biscuits. Stop away a bit. ''
 I ran back with them, and made him take some wine; and, thus revived, he rose and thanked me.
 ".What are you going to do?" I said, staring.
 "I'm going back to town, sir, he said quietly, but with his lower lip trembling. "I am not fit to undertake the task. I thank you, but it is too late. am not we'll"
 I looked at him as a business man, and in that brief glance, as in a revela- tion, I saw the struggles of poor, proud man of genius, who could not battle with the world. I saw the man who had sold, bit by bit, everything he owned, in his struggle for daily bread; and as I looked at him I felt ashamed that I should be SC rich, and fat, and we'll.
 "Mr. Grantly," I sad, taking his hand, "I am rough man, and spoiled by bullying people, and having my own way. I beg your pardon for what l have said and am going to say. You came down here, sir, to paint my little girls portrait, and you are going to paint it before you go back to town ; and when you do go, you are going to have fifty guineas in your pocket. Hush not a word, sir. My old friend Elden told me that you were gentleman and man of honor. Tom Elden is never deceived. Now, sir, please come into the dining room and have some lunch. Not word, please. If good food won't bring you round, you shall have the doctor for, as the police say," | continued, "syou're my prisoner but on parole"
 He tried to speak, but could not, and turned away.
 "An right" said, "all right ;" and I patted him on the shoulder, and walked away to the window for few minutes before I turned back to find him more composed.
 That afternoon we all three went out into the wood, and made cobweb stand as had seen her on that day.
 Grantly was delighted, and insisted upon making @ sketch at once and then the days wore on, with the painting pro- gressing slowly, but in way that was a wonder to me, so exquisite was every touch, for the artists whole soul was in his work
 Those were delightful days, but there was a storm coming. I quite took to the young fellow, though, and by de- grees heard from him his whole story how, young and eager, he had, five years before, come to town to improve in his art, and how bitter had been his struggle, till, just before he had encoun. tered my friend Elden, he had been real ly, literally dying of sickness and want
 It was a happy time, that, for when the painting was over for the morning we gardened, or strolled in the country our new friend being an accomplished botanist and a lover of every object we saw. I used to wonder how he hac learned so much, and found time tc paint as we'll.
 I say it was happy time for the frs three weeks, and then there were clouds
 Cobweb was changed. I knew it bu too well. I could see it day by day Grantly was growing distant, too, ant strange, and my suspicious grew hou, by hour, till was only kept from break ing out by therecollection of Tom Elden' words" He is gentleman and ma1 of honor."
 "Tom Elden never was wrong," sait one morning, as sat alone, "and for man like that, after my kindness, to talk advantage of his position to win tha girls love from me, would be the act o the greatest scoun-'
 "May come in, MT. Burrows ?" sait the voice of the nan of whom I wa thinking.
 "Yes, come in," said and there VI stood looking in one another's eyes.
 "He's come to speak to me-" I said and my heart grew very hard, but con cealed my feelings till he spoke, ant then was astounded.
 MT. Burrows" he said, "I've conn to say goodbye"
 "Good-bye," said.
 Yes, sir, goodbye. have wakenet from dream of happiness to sense o misery of which cannot speak. Le me be brief, sir, and tell you that I shal never forget your kindness"
 But you haven't finished the pic ture."
 " No, sir, and never shall ;" he said bitterly. MT. Burrows, cannot stay