The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-12-21

half finished, painting of the Madonna
and the infant Jesus. A babe, too, lies
in the young mothers lap, and her lovely
face has the dreamy, German eyes, and
the delicate German complexion. The ex-
preston of that child-like face is as limo
cent as that of the sleeping boy in hel
arms, and the eyes are uplifted to the pic
ture with SO absorbed gaze that the artist
husband steals away to distant corner to
catch and fix the inspiration for his Ma
donna.
The fair young model breaths gentle
sigh at length; she turns her small head
wrapped with its shining golden braids, to-
ward her husbands empty chair. But
Max Muller is no longer lounging, pipe in
mouth, in the great antique chair, and the
little wife soon detects his occupation.
Catching the boy to her breast she
steals lightly across the floor and peers
over her husbands shoulder.
"Ah, it is far too loving to be my por
trait r she cries, with a gentle smile.
"Thou hast the true artists soul, Max
What wonderful awe hast thou put into
thy Madonna's eyes as she looks upon hel
Holy Son. And those little upliftet
hands See, the infant Jesus is himself
proclaiming with the angel hosts, "Peact
on earth, good will toward men r.
"But you had yourself the same expires
sion, Elsa, my little wife. You are my
true "artist's SOUL" beloved p
The sweet childish lips dropped and fell
"And yet, and yet, my Max, thou will
not grant Inc my souls desire. l wa
thinking, even now whilst thou vert paint
ing me, what grief it would be to Elsa il
her little Heinrich should ever lose thy
love. All thou knowest now, my thought
dear husband. Now, in the joyous Christ
mas time, is it not now time to forgive
Is not now the time to seek thine aget
father? A second time, surely, so many
years are past, thy father has softenee
toward thee, he will not turn thee seconC
time away from his door r
The tall dark bearded husband laid dowI
his palette and threw his arms around hi
wife and child.
"You are an angel, Elsa an angel o
peace, and love and forgiveness But yol
do not know the pride and stubbornness o
Gilbert Paine. He believes that L, nj
son, have brought disgrace upon his an
cient name, and for this reason when
reached thy fair German land, beloved,
cast away the name of Jasper Paine. Ant
more, Elsa Did he not VOW on that win
ter night that not one rood of those acre!
used to love SO we'll should ever fall tt
me. Did he not curse for me the house
where [ was born? And now, even now
if were to seek him, Gilbert Paine woulc
believe came to seek his wealth and mo-
his love !"
"But thou art no longer poor, my hus
band. as thou vert when thou camst tc
study with my father and WOO thine Elsa
in the dear Rhineland. Thy pictures arc
sold as soon as thou canst paint them, and
thy Madonna will make thee famous
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 thai
grand and empty house be more accursed
than to him who lives there in bitterness
from day to day? Listen to me, Max
my husband Let us take our little Helm
rich to thy father ?"
elisa, my darling, l cannot grant youl
wish. Are we not happier here than il
that great lonely house What more
does my gentle little wife need? Surely
my Elsa does not pine for state and grand
eur Say what more you need sweet wife
and 1 will work, yes, work day and nigh
but you shall have your wish"
She stopped over him and laid her white
hand on his lips. The wide, blue eye
were full of reproachful tears as she look
ed into the artists darkened face.
"Thou hurtest me with such crue
thoughts, dear husband" she cried with &
sob in her sweet voice. "Thou knowes
that thy Elsa has all she needs in thet
and in the babe. Dost thou not remem
ber the words we heard on the day OF on
betrothal? 'I viii arise and go to my
father" our good minister said, and thol
had'st Just told me the story of thy life
Since that day the words have strangely
haunted me, and now that God has giver
thee and me a 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 iti
mothers tears, turned and stretched ouI
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:
ssI, too, will arise and go to my father !!
CHAPTER III.
Gilbert Paine arose on Christmas morn
ing more sad and lonely than ever. lie
went down to his solitary breakfast, and
only his great Newfoundland dog came tc
greet him, looking up into his haggard face
with dumb sympathetic eyes. Mrs. Blake,
the housekeeper, placed his food before
him in silence; but when she went out
into the servants hall again proclaimed ii
as her belief that "master was falling
surely" The woman had not dared to
wish him "merry Christmas" all merri-
ment would have seemed a mockery in the
presence of that grave, wan face. In the
servants hall there was merriment in plen-
ty. 10 be sure, Mr.. Paine never forgot
his dependents at Christmas time; no mat
ter how gloomy he kept the sacred season.
there was abundance of good cheer spread
for the faithful, humble friends who had
served him nearly all their lives; and on
this particular morning, perhaps, because
the old man clung in his failing strength
even to the friendship of these humble
creatures, a purse of silver lay beneath
each plate.
aAnd sure, thin, it's too bad, that We
should be sittin' here, rejoicing, said Tim
othy Kelly, the coachman, while the
master has never word of cheer the day
All, if Mr.. Jasper were here now, wild q
purity young wife beside him, the old
house would be gay enough, | tell ye."
"Hush-ehr' cried the housekeeper,
with a sacred look, and finger on her
lin; ethe ale must be telling on you, Tim
Kelly, or you would never speak that
namel"
aWell, here's to the masters good health,
thin, and long life to him r cried the
eoachmaD, as he replenished his glass and