Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-12-05

ness Of ALMA"
Five wears afrcr, Arthur Lero,
was standing watching the silent
dark eyed, picturesque gr"np which
sat on the gray steps oi the Trinita
di Monte in Rome While he stnoc
and looking, tall. graceful woman
dressed III mourning came dow
street and stood beside him. She
glanced hufriedly at the same group
which his own eyes were scruti-
nIzing.
Arthur was pursuing his artistic
stnhiee at Rome, and was search
ing for model. The woman be-
side him was npon n similar mission.
She, however, seemed to find none
among the group to suit her, and she
started to go. As she turned, their
9lanccs met. Arthur and Aliua were
lac t. face Her eyes were sadder
than ever, and her garb was weeds
"t mourning.
ARTHUR - she exclaimed, in sur.
prise, holding out her white, slen-
Ger hand.
The blood receded from his face
aud left it white as marble. The
old life and the old pain surged
back. He took the hand she ex-
tended, and said in cold, cruel
VOICE:
"Mrs RuSspI, am glad to meet
you here. Ii search Of model,
toe 2"
"Y,s," She said in voice which
had a pcrreptible culver; "but |
have tu"nd nome to suit my purpose
am going now to the Piazzi di
Spagna. Won't sou Join me, and
tell me how You are and how you
have been ?''
lie walked beside her as she
started off. saying
Thanks. As to how / am now
we'll how | have bcen-I have
forgotten"
She felt the little thrust but it
was easy for her woman's wit to
parry it by saying with her old
naiyete of manner
"Well, YOU see the influence of
your taste has had its influence on
me | have turned artist myself"
"You did not have to turn artist
yon were always one by nature"
She SAW clearly enough that the
steel was still in this mans SOUL
She Lad placed it there, and she
resolved to pluck it out at once.
But you never told me ! was an
artist"
81 never knew till
"Nor did | know" said she, in
terruptirg him, "till Mr.. RusSell's
death two years ago, when | was
left almost without means or resonr
ccs of any kind.'
She paused but the announce
mcnt of the death of the man who
had robbed Arthur Leroy of his
bride drew no comment from his
lips. She had long ago Taught him
to endure surprises in silence.
"Then | came here TO study !; to
learn, if | can, the dream-toil OF an
artists lite.
SIN which calling you have my
best wishes for your sncc"ss, and my
services always at your command"
he said, with unfeigned sincerity.
"Y"ur good wishes. Arthur, are
greaItul I" me, and [ shall be only
To" glad to avail myself of your
valuahl" suggestions, il--if | may
only know that l am forgiven"
Y II are forgiven. But ] do
IL. forget Everything which |
fu' mt" Your room is there yet un-
,ouctc':- From that day 10 this
n'tr thc doors have heen locked,
Tire bong curtains at the windows
are Grawn down, The blinds are
closed, aud deep shadow rests
Ui.on All within. So the doors. ard
windows, aud curtains are closed
hont the memory in my heart
The shadaw rested there also "a
lon tue. But Tomorrow it will
pe lifted. The Brartricc I brought
with me, | put it above my door
here in Rome as an emblem of the
guard which you had Taught ne to
set npon my heart. At last l have
found one pair Of eyes more lnmin-
ous among tine shadows than are
those OF Beatrice or Psyche. On
ito-inorrow the picture above my
door aud the guard above my heart
will be taken down and the light of
the new eyes will enter in"
She was i'm donbt as to his mcan>
ing. Was he pnrposely obscure /?
Was he talking of the old love 3
She took it for granted.
"God bless you, Arthur" she
said ; Il do not deserve as mnch
as you accord g.
''For the old loves sake, for the
grand and beautiful Aima."-
She started as he called her
| name. He had done so before -