The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-07-28

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sighed bitterly over the destiny which
seemed to separate him from Madeline
Hargrave.
Madeline had gone from Waldmyers
room to the house of u dear friend, Alice
Clifford, to whom the lovers had mutually
confded their hopes and fears. Alice
was the niece of Mr.. Lennox, who had
been so generous to Wadmyer, and it was
partly by her representations that her
uncle had become SO interested in the
youthful artist.
You will not hinder this, Madeline, "
said Alice. "Do not for feel that it is
his only chance for life. speak plainly,
for you must see that Waldmyer is diving
by inches--not so much from ill-health
as that he is so hemmed iu by eircumstan
ces, narrowed in his prospects, that he has
become hopeless of the future. have
talked long aad earnestly with him, dear
Lima, and this is my conviction, that he
must 40 or die !"
Madeline thought of the blood, and
shuddered.
81 will urge him ty go, Alice, she au.
swercd. IL have done so already. God
knows thatI would not stand in his path,
| will go to him again, and she added,
with a guivering lip, ''poor fellow, he
shall 20.
She did 90 to him, and he consented to
60. Over their parting We must not linger.
1t was full Of q sorrow too sacred to be
revealed the sorrow which looks on death
as near and certain.
1t was on a morning in the latter part
of July that Waldmyer sailed for Italy.
He arrived safely, and wrote, full of hope
and reyiying health, to Madeline. Several
months elapsed after this, and he was
rarely heard from. Alice Clifford, how
ever, received a letter from a friend at
home, which contained this paragraph
"By the way, Alice, one of your far
famed American youths, whose praise you
have so often trumpoted, is here; aud if
those who are tall and straight and healthy
among them can compare with this one, l
will conccde to you what | have so often
disputed-the superiority Of American
artists in points independent Of their art.
You know that you have claimed for your
countrymeu that they were not only pro-
fessional, but that the profession was only
an adjunct to the man himself; while |,
alas, was forced to admit that our artists
have, in general, no claim--beyond their
actual profession-to intellectual wealth,
i" But | take it, Alice, that this youth
must be an exception; for, although he is
suffering from excessive lameness, and is
often embarrassed in company from his
continual dependence on his crutches, yet
| assure you he is highly distinguished
here for his professional talents, for the
mournful beauty of his face and for his
intellectual requirements. lie is studying
with one of our first artists, and bids fair
to paint well; understand me, Alice, not
as Italians paint, but as well as Americans
can paint. For the rest, | will only say
that this wonderful youth is called Michael
Waldmyer, and if he were not an Ameri-
can | should expect him some day to rank
with our best artists. "
What teasing thing Agnes is, Uncle
Lennox," said Alice, as she showed him
the letter. ave have disputed so many
tunes about American talent that she
considers herself bound to keep up the
quarrel. Well, | forgive her, in consid-
Grafton of what she admits, and will 90 to
Madeline with the letter Even its quali-
fed praise will rejoice her"
The year waued and ended, and it was
not until the second had nearly expired
that Waldmyer returned to his native
shores. Unknown to any one, Mr. Lennox
furnished him with the funds which should
enable him to pass few months with an
eminent French surgeon, who had so far
succeeded as to allow him 70 walk without
pain, and occasionally TO dispense with any
other support than light cruteh and
another persons arm. He thus looked a
very little taller than before. His face
wore a more hopeful expression, and there
was a lighting up Of the countenance which
no one ever saw there in the old time.
Mr.. Leunox did nothing by halves, aud
almost before the arrival Of the steamer
that brought him was announced, asplen-
did room was fitted up with every requisite
for the pursuit of art that could be devised.
"Who is going to wear that splendid
drcssing-gown ana cap2" asked Mr.. Len
nox, as he saw Alice finishing them.
9They are for your iavOrite, Mr.. Wald.
u.ver she answered.
q Excellent | believe they are the
only things l did not provide, Purple
velvet, / deelarel just the color of Ra-
pbaers. Why Alice, should think you
were in love with Mr.. Waldmyer, your
self: will certainly tell Lima to watch you,
ar YOU will run away with her lover Nay,
Won cannot do that, Miss Alice, for poor
Waldmyer is not given to running.
q For shame, uncle, to sport with his
dreadful infrmity.
al trust, Alice, from the accounts l
hear from our young friend, that his in
trinity will be greatly lessened."
Now can guess the meaning Of these
mysterious packets which you have been
Undressing 50 often 10 that French doctor
with the unpronounceable name. Dear
uncle, is Waldmyer cured of that terrible
Iameness9 O, do let me go and tell Lima,
Why, Alice, how you jump at conclu-
siops Because | limited that Mr.. Wald-
mver NAV have received some benefit
abroad. you-woman-like--conclude at
once that he has thrown away his crutches,
and can now walk as well as you do your
self.
aWell, that viii comfort Lima little.
/ viii toll her that.
q No; wait and let her find It OUT.