The Beaufort tribune and Port Royal commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1877-1879, 1877-08-02
THE ARTISTS BRIDE.


It was morning in early June-soft,
warm and odorous.
In large room, at the very top of an
cld-fashioned mansion, an artist stood
before his easel, surveying the portrait
which had just rec, ived the finishing
touches from his long, pale fingers.
He turned suddenly away, As if sharp
pang had shot through his frame, and
pressing his hand upon his heart, he
coughed slightly, and in moment his
lips were red with blood.
"This will finish me, perhaps" said
the boy, for he was but child in years,
and the lameness under which he suffered
made him look young by reducing his
height.
A light rap at the door made him
start. He called, family, "Come in"
and there entered young girl of small
and delicate figure, and face which was
absolutely startling in its beauty.
AS she entered, Michael Waldmyer at
tempted to conceal the traces of his re-
cent suffering, but her quick eye saw
them, and she faltered and turned pale
cit is nothing absolutely nothing,
Madeline. It was only an accidental fit
of coughing which produced it." Made
inelooked mournfully at the blood drops
on his clothes, and then at the crutches
which leaned against his chair. He
watched her look and smiled, for he was
Madeline Hargrave's lover, even though
he did have to use those appendages to
his footsteps; and he knew that in her
eyes they were no bar to his fame and no
'hindrance to his goodness.
"Why, here is fathers picture all
finished" said Madeline; "but, dearest
Michael, he surely has not face so
stern and harsh as you have pictured
him %
"Just so he looked, Lima, when l
asked him for your hand. He was abso-
lutely terrible in his expression. I con-
fess that copied that very look. It was
in my memory too strong not to be min
gled with every touch of the brush.
"I must not stay here" she said, as
she turned away from the contemplation
of that pale face. "Papa is coming
here, and I would rather not meet him. I"
He called her to his side again, and she
bent over him with loving smile.
Let me show you this letter, dear
est" he said, taking one from the table
before him.
1t was from o well-known gentleman
of great wealth, who was noted for his
iberality to young and INDECENT artists,
and who had become singularly interest
ed in Waldmyer. In the letter he had
generously offered to take upon himself
the whole expenses of a voyage to Italy
and years study there, if he would go
at once; promising patronage and infu-
ence after his return.
"Shall I go, Lima p
eco certainly, you must and shall
go, Michael. Why, you would be mad
not to accept this offer. Besides, do you
know that if you go to Italy and succeed
as know you will-my father would
be proud to receive you when you return
under the auspices of such man as Mr..
Lennox? Nay, you will think me un-
maidenly if I say all that I was about to
utter"
Then, as if struck by new thought,
she said: "Yes, Italy will be the very
thing for that terrible cough. Indeed,
you will go, Michael-and go now, yes,
go now."
The young girl was beseeching her
lover to part from her, even with fearful
eyes, and he smilingly told her SO. But
she persisted, and soon left him to his
own meditations on the subject.
Rome Italy! The very goal to
which his thoughts had flown a thousand
times, and as often returned as did the
dove to the ark. Would his feet touch
the land so beautiful and hallowed by
the art he loved? True, it would sepa-
rate him from Madeline, but they were
both young; and, as she said, when he
had gained name, perhaps he might
dare to claim Her. He decided to go, s1 d
wrote few brief, grateful lines to MIR.
Lennox, sign'fying his acceptance of his
generous offer.
BE had just scaled his letter when Mr..
Hargrave came in. He was, as usual,
very stately and magnificent. He came
to look at his picture for the last time
before it should be removed to his house.
"You have an expression there, young
man" Che said this very pompously),
(Which lam not conscious of wearing.
Will you amend your work in that re-
spect2"
Waldmyer bowed acquiescence, and
with few strokes of the pencil, he
changed the expression to a grave but
pleasant one.
"Better, much better, and I hatter
myself much more natural. When shall
[ send for this ?"
"To-morrow, if you please, SIR"
Mr. Hargrave gathered up his gloves
and hat, and was leaving the room, when
Waldmyer, who had exerted himself too
much, was again attacked as before, and
the red stream was flowing from his