Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-07-10


that when the first SHOWS fell, Lila
Burton became an inmate Of Mrs.
Grams home, and began to apply her
self with untiring assiduity to her
loved art
As for Lena, once having tasted tho
sweets Of doing good, she had no mind
10 go back TO the old selfish life. On
the right hand and on the left she
found those who needed her heln
her sympathy, and advice; and bc
coming interested in her work the old
pain and hcartaclte lost some Of its
strength A complete change had
passed over her nature, and her par
ents rejoiced in the result, without IN
duiring too closely into the cause
which had produced it. Gordon
Grey did not 90 abroad. The ties
which bound him TO his native land
we're too strong to be broken and so
II came that frcquenting art galleries
and studios, he became familiar with
the fairyoung face which attracted him
by the earnestness imprinted on every
feature. Itgrcw 10 be one Of his pleas
ures at last to stand by Lila Burton's
side. and watch her at her beautiful
work, giving freely friends kindly
criticism.
The Christmas time was drawing
nigh, and Lilla's heart, oyertiowing
with its debt OF gratitude, determined
to make Il suitable acknowledgment
TO her kind benefactrcss. Hour by
hour she laborcl patiently. When the
Christmas week daWned the work was
completed, and was a portrait Of Lena
Lynell, dressed in dark velvet COS
tune. and holding in her hand some
crocuscs. 1t had been sketched from
memory, for Lila had once seen her
thus: but the tender, truthful look
was OF a lortier character than had
been seen in Lena Of Old; though it
was no exuggcration now. A loving
heart hal dictated, and Il loving hand
had executed, the portrait, and rarely
had more beautiful face bcImed
forth from canvas.
As she put the last touch to the
picture and leaned back with sigh
OF satisfaction, Gordon Gray, who had
been absent from the city, entered.
In her absorption Lila did not per-
cciye him till he spoke.
"Ucaycnsl what alikencss!" no cI
claimed. "Only, if possible, even
more beautiful. Tell me, Lila" hc
cried, in agitation, "is this only
fancy piece, or is it real porirait:'
ut is real portrait" answered
Lila. regarding him with surprise.
"Do you know her? 1t is the face OF
Lena Lynell, my dearest friend,
and the noblest woman l ever
knew"
She spoke with enthusiasm, and
while her visitor listened in astonish-
ment and admiration the whole story
came out.
A great revolution had taken place
in Gordon Gray's heart. Even TO
himself he would not before acknowl'
edge that the old love still fingered; {;
but it needed but this breath Of praise
from a woman's lils 10 fan the smoul-
dering cmbcrs into brilliant flame.
When they parted it was with firm
resolve in his heart to pay his sister Il
visit. and see for himself if time
had indeed wrought such wondrous
changes.
What the result Of his observations
was may be inferred from the fact
that Lena Lynell is now, and has been
for many years, his happy wife. In
her sunlt home she hears Of the fame
and honor which her prOtege has ac-
quired, Of the wealth that has poured
in upon her; ofthe hosts OF friends who
throng around her; and she thanks
the Giver Of good, who turned her feet
from the paths OF folly and selhshness,
and in teaching her TO labor for
others brought true happiness to her
worldly heart.