Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-05
CONFINED from first page. }

| have not an atom of superstition in me
at least had not then. Ii was rather
with reverence than awe that sacrificed
nv cambria handkerchief to the restoration
of the picture.
Then was struck with the resemblance
between my ancestor and myself; anc
wondered if any of the many assembled
relatives would perceive it; never think
ing how little was known of the faces
was scanning so infinitely.
Yet | think my appearance at the din
ner-table did excite some curiosity, if fur
tive glances and whisperings were any in
dex. Somber dresses and long face
spoiled the meal for me. was glad whel
found myself back in my room in from
of a wood fire kindled at my request; ant
taking advantage of the doubled doors
took out cigar to make myself at home.
There was a suggestiveness OF daml
and rheumatism about the heavy velvet
hung four-post bed. | declined its invita-
ton, preferring to wrap myself in my trav
cling rug and stretch my limbs on an an
tque couch at angles with the hearth. A
second cigar sent me to sleep to dream OF
Barbara. | awoke shivering, with an un'
easy impression of a hand laid on my
shoulder to arouse me. The fire was al
most out, the candles quite, but there was
a light in the room. and-yes in the very
midst of that light stood Rupert the Pain
ter, palette and brush in hand. painting
away Mt a picture on his easel.
rubbed my eyes and gave myself a
shake. The artist was still at work, and
] saw the picture growing under his brush.
II was an Alpine scene familiar TO my
self. Now figures appeared upon the can
vas, toiling up the snowy ascent. The ar
fist looks round at me, and back at his
canvas. | see delineated broken rope,
shivered alpen-stock and figure slip
ping and falling headlong into terrible
crevasse.
Again the artist turns his head, and his
dark eyes transfx me. The canvas is
blank Again the brush is piled. Judge,
jury, counsel take their places. see
brother barrister of long standing address
sing the court, see him painted out; and
my very counterpart stands out in my
very attitude and in my most eloquent
mood | see the effect on the faces of
Judge and jury; it is cheering. The artist
turns round and smiles. Picture painter,
easel, light, are gone. am shivering in
the dark, with barely ray of moonlight
Struggling in through the windows.
give myself another shake, say ! am
an arrant fool. conclude | have been
dreaming, and compose myself to sleep
again.
Convinced, when awaken in the morn
ing, that | have been dreaming, | say
nothing at the breakfast table of my broken
rest, not caring to excite either alarm or
ridicule.
As Stretton and | return to town in the
express the day after the funeral, elicit
from him that the Squire has another son,
now travelling in Switzerland, to whom.
of course, the heirship will descend. After
that fear Stretton has but stupid COM
panion to the end of the journey.
My survey of the moat, converted into Il
shrubbery. and the track of the water
course in dispute, did not tell in my clients
interest. Nevertheless, went into court
with conviction | should win, although
| secuted the idea of being Influenced by
dream
And was successful. The case was
dismissed as litigious and veXatious, and
when shook hands with our client. he in
sisted on my returning with him to the
manor, and said did honor to the name
bore
Other cases kept me in town until the
end of the term. Then |. John Fosbrooke,
availed myself of the 'Squire's invitation.
and was welcomed Mrs. Fosbrooke Of
fered many apologies for my being thrust
into an unused room on my former visit.
protested that was perfectly satisfied,
and thought it pity so commodious a
chamber should be left to me and the
spiders.
The lady sighed and said no more This
time occupied an adjoining room. small
er, but well kept, and less antique in its
appointments.
The Squire took to me amazingly, and
Barbara's heart opened to me. hesitated
how best to disclose my ancestry and pro-
pose for the sweet girl, when the whole
fabric of my future was shaken by tele-
gram from Switzerland.
Charles Edward Fosbrooke had persisted
in the ascent of the Simplon. was stag
gered, and the whole family was over
whelmed. 1t was no time for love pro-
posals.
volunteered journey for the recovery
of the body saying that knew the pre-
else spot in which he was lying. This in
volved explanation of what | called my
dream.
Dream! 1t was no dream" cried Bar
bara and her parents, simultaneously.
but who are you ?' demanded the
Squire, rising to his feet. "who have seen
the spectral painter of our house? Rupert
Fosbrooke never reveals the future save to
one of his own near kim
Myanswer and its effect may be imagined.
An avalanche could scarcely have over
whelmed them more completely. The
old Squire, his eyes suffused with tears,
held out his hand to me.
This is no time to perpetuate feud, "
said he. Fate is too strong for us -
Need add that / went to Switzerland
and recovered the remains of the last heir
of the elder Fosbrookes.
But ere ] took my departure, unknown
to the family spent night in the haunt
ed chamber, still inclined to be skeptical
came out next morning converted. Once
more the mountain scene was painted be-
fore me, but saw myself and guides re-
covering the lost and the means employed.
Another picture was painted before me,
and then the artist seemed 10 fling brushes
and palette aside, and vanish with bene-
diction.
stand with my now-acknowledged rea-
Al. Al.