The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-09-11

form, as it was caught by the eddies, and
dragged hither and thither; still held,
however, by that trusty dead arm that
clung SO determinedly to the Shiny and
black root above.
A touch on my shoulder so startled
me that l cried out; it was only Mort,
who had entered the room unnoticed, SO
intent was in my concentration.
"Well, what do you think Of itr
was the first and most natural ques-
ton.
"You never could have dreamed that"
saidI.
"Just as you see it, dreamed it,
doubter. Now let me cover it up,
and let us go and have some lunch"
"But don't be in such hurry" said,
seeking to stop him, as he again shroud-
ed the painting beneath its cover. Il
have not half seen it yet"
But muttering, "Some other time,' he
persisted in hiding it from me, and
we presently went to lunch together.
Now, l was in nowise satisfied with
my friends reticence, and experienced a
very vivid curiosity to hear the particu-
lars of his wonderful dream, which he
had so graphically limned upon the can
vas; but no effort of mine could induce
him to say more concerning it than that
it occurred to him just as he had painted
it.
The painting was sent to the Academy
for exhibition that season. and was sold
to particular friend of mine for a
goodly sum-for so much, in fact, that
l often joked Mort on his dream-picture,
and the fortune it had brought to him;
for it really seemed as though its sale
was the beginning of a season of great
prosperity.
The winter and spring passed, and as
sumner came and the city began to
empty itself by carloads and steamboat
fuls into the country, Mort and |, with q
party of other artists like him, or idlers
like myself, made up a trip to the Adj
rondacks. 1t is needless for the purpose
of this story that l should detail our
sundry adventures during the weeks we
passed among the lakes and hills; nor
need relate our experience with fish and
flesh in our numerous hunting and fish
ing excursions.
We met many acquaintance, and made
many new ones, and among the latter
were the family of Mr.. Sanfeld, a mer-
chant from Montreal, who, with his wife
and daughter, with the afianced hus-
band of the latter, was passing few
weeks in the search for rest and relaxa-
ton from his customary labors.
Alice Sanfeld was beautiful, a pet of
Canadian society, wealthy in her own
right as well as by prospective heirship,
and altogether "catch." Her lover was
an officer in the British army, stationed
at Montreal, and now on leaye-a fine
looking and gentlemanly young fellow,
ofgood family, and apparently desper-
ateIy in love with Miss Sanfield.
Captain Rowland had, however, one
popularity, which he displayed on
several occasions very prominently, and
which led Mort to remark to me one day,
when it had been more than usually
manifest, that he thought the captain
would lead Miss Alice rather lively
dance when she should become Mrs.
Rowland. He had, in fact, about the
most uncomfortable temper l ever saw
displayed in man. So violent was he
at times, that I commonly wondered why
he had not long before got himself shot
for Incorporate insolence in of his fits
of passion. Another popularity of his
was evinced in frequent lonely wander
ings quite away from the hotel, from
which journeys he would not return for
days together. These disappearances
were accounted for by the captain by
various sporting excuses, and we certain
ly should have felt no interest in them,
had it not been for the incident which
will now relate.
One day Mort and started off on a
trip on our own account, ostensibly for
fishing purposes, but really formy friend
to obtain a sketch of a charming vista
which had not as yet been discovered by
his lynx-eyed associates. Our journey
led us some twenty miles from the hotel;
we travelled portion of the way in an
open wagon, and then footed it toward
the point desired.
On our route we passed pretty farm
house, which we eyed with the gratif-
cation which such rural scenes always
afforded us, and should have thought nc
more of it had we not suddenly espied
Captain Rowland, accompanied by a
young lady, engaged in earnest and ap-
parently excited conversation.