Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-12-27

eyes are uplifted to the picture with SC
absorbed a gaze that the artist-hus.
band steals away to distant corner
TO catch and fix the inspiration for his
Madonna.
The fair young model breathes q
gentle sigh at length; she turns her
small head, wrapped with its shining
golden braids, toward her husband s
empty chair. But Max Muller is no
longer lounging, pipe in mouth, in the
great antique chair, andthe little wife
soon detects his occupatIUn.
Catching the boy to her breast she
steals lightly across the floor and peers
over her husbands shoulder.
"Ah, it is far too lovely to be my
portraitl' she cries, with gentle smile.
"Thou hast the true artists soul, Maxi
What wondering awe hast thou put into
thy Madonna's eyes as she looks upon
her Holy Son! And those little uplifted
hands! See the infant Jesus is himself
pro0laiming with the angel hosts,
Peace on earth, good will toward
menr"
but you had yourself the same ex-
preston, Elsa, my little wife. You are
my true artists SOUL beloved!'
"And yet, my Max, thou wilt not
grant me my souls desire. | was
thinking, even now whilst thou vert
painting me, what grief it would be to
Elsa if her little Heinrich should ever
lose thy love. All! thou knowest now,
my thought, dear husband. Now, in
the joyous Christmas time, is it not
now the time to forgivep Is not now
the time to seek thine aged fatherP A
second time, surely, so many years are
past, thy father has softened toward
thee, he will not turn thee q second
time away from his door'
The tall, dark bearded husband laid
down his palette and threw his arms
around his wife and child.
You are an angel, Elsa! an angel
of peace, and love, and forgivenessl
But you do not know the pride and
stubbornness of Gilbert Paine. He be-
lieves that /, his son, have brought dis
grace upon his ancient name, and for
this reason when | reached thy fair
Germamland, beloved, cast away the
name of Jasper Paine. And more,
Elsa! Did he not vow on that winter
night that not one rood of those acres
| used to love so well should ever fall
to me. Did he not curse for me the
house where [ was born? And now,
even now, if | were to seek him, Gill
bert Paine would believe came to seek
his wealth and not his lover'
But thou art no longer poor, my
husband, as thou vert when thou camst
to study with my father and WOO thine
Elsa in the dear Rhineland. Thy pict-
ures are sold as soon as thou canst
paint them, and thy Madonna will make
thee famousp We are no longer poor;
he could not say we came for gold.
The poor father! None ever suffer from
curse but those who make them. To
whom could that grand and empty
house be more accursed than to him
who lives there in bitterness from day
to day? Listen to me, Max, my hus-
band. Let us take our little Heinrich
to thy father?"
ELSA, my darling, l cannot grant
your wish. Are we not happier here
than in that great lonely house? What
more does my gentle little wife need?
Surely my Elsa does not pine for state
and grandeur? Saywhat more you need,
sweet WIG, anu Will WOfk, yes, WOrk
day and night but you shall have your
wish"
She stopped over him and laid her
white hand on his lips. The wide blue
eyes were full of reproachful tears as
she looked into the artist sdarkened face
"Thou hurtest me with such cruel
thoughts, dear husbaud,n she cried,
with sob in her sweet voice. Thou
knowest that thy Elsa has all she needs
in thee and in the babe. Don't thou
not remember the words we heard |
on the day of our betrothalP Il will |
arise and 60 to my father our good |
minister said, and thou hadst just told
me the story .of thy lifeP Since that
day the words have strangely haunted
me, and now that God has given thee
and me son. She clasped the |
lovely boy to her breast, and rain of |
gentle tears fell on his innocent face. |
The child awoke, looked up, and seeing
its mother tears, turned and stretched |
out his hands to Max. "He, too, pleads |
with me-" murmured Elsa, smiling
family, and Jasper Paine, clasping
mother and child together in close
embrace, whispered:
81, too, will arise and go to my
fatherPn