The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-12-21
TIE PORTRAIT.

Maurice wac wandering nimlcsaly iii the
depths or tho forest. IL had reaand raining
but the drops III water we're still rolling from
ieaf To leaf with thu light sound If Il nearly
exhausted fountain triekiing into ita half
filled basin. AMI III tho dataneN Tho dark path
opened out Into wet glade Of Il deep green
nf exquisite suftnnss The trunks nf thu
trees were very black, their branches harsei
still, and the massive houghs nf the chestnut
trees above the young painter'a head seemed
like the high arches Of cathedral at Tho
hour when All Il dark In the church, and
when tho opnred windows cas- into tho
gloom CLEANS of light 40 Intense and NJ
mysterious that you would think Thorn III ~
by IL tire nf live Goals from without.
Maurice loved tha hour nc the daeinn or
day. when after the rain the aun has nn
shune out and when 4 gray tint II cast over
everything. hIending outlines snftnniag
angles and Investing every shape with Il
smooth and exquisite Fnundnoas III walked
slowly, discovering every moment III thu Welt
known forest aumn beauty till thrn unknown.
and Tie was thrilled ~ tho very depths " hi4
being by that tender admiration TIT nature
which II one 1T Observation-Disclosures of gani,ia
him. The grass was green anil hrilIiant the
delicate leaves nf the shrubs shtntng henrath
tho water which had washed ihNn. formed II
fine. lace like network against the dark back
ground Of tho great forest beyond H.
stepped In order IL aca better, to observe
better and tn take I'll better thn impression III
the wet forest. more impressive and more
human sa ~ speak I'D ls great shadows than
beneath the sunshine III All tile FplenIar of
the day
The pretty and graceful figure IL young
girl stood out against thu foliage Ut thn birch
trees. She advAnrnd with 4 supple Mnvr-
ment. without perGalving MaHtire. who a.
immovahla ~ thn trunk NJ u chestnut ttne.
was Watching har. When two steps from
him the young gir perceived him SHE
faEot of wood that aha WAS carrying on hoI
head
"Ypu frightened mo- said shn. smiling
and her large black ay# shnnn nut mrrrIy
beneath the tanHla Ut her blonde hair
He looked at her misunderstanding. A com
piete harmony. which no words can render.
reigned between the slender figure. tho laugh
ing face the lacR-tkn foliage Ut the glade and
the ttuts ut The landscape.
"Stand still. said the young man: q am
going to take your portrait
She wished IL push back her hair which
had fallen over her taco bat he prevented her
by gesture.
"Raman a. YOU arc.
He seated htmsnlf On stone and sl1etehpi
rapidly the outline and features If his young
model. She wa u peasant hHt delicate and
refined ~ the young girls III the peasantry
often are before their complete and often
tafdy development Tho epns We're already
those If woman. tho smile was still that pf
child.
"How old are you2~ asked tho painter still
working.
II shall soon he sixteen
ALREADY | saw ynn three years ago Il
little hft Df thing :"
II was very Httle" said shc with A pretty
laugh, and frank and hnld nv 4 sparrow, "hut 1
Igrew fast, and on St- johns day shall have
lovers"
"Why III st Johns day7" asked the young
man, stopping 70 lnnk II her.
Because our must hnVa lover IL dance |
with round the bonfire"
So soon That pure brow, thns,, Innocent |
eyes, that childish mouth All the%N were IT, |
be famed hy the hoorish Iallantry III u rus
tic Maurice felt avakue Jealousy dawn iii hta |
heart.
.Niu you have mo for luver3" HI said IT, |
SuminF his work.
"Oht you you sre Il gentleman. ani /, am
. peasant: good strls w not listen u gentle
men
That's the villagreodcof mcrais thu young
man answered nothing.
II cannot 500 any longer. wilt you come
back here tomorrow, u little earlitr3"
For mE portrait
sYps"
II will come back Good evening, 4.r"
She raised her handle II wood and wont
atf+s757=, t55st-5tti1
HE archwag III the dark chestnut trees
Maurice went home dreaming M the fair
haired child. Hi had seen her often ard hta
Always looked at her. but with thu nyNs pf aR
artist. Now II seemed ~ him that III looked
II her with the eyes of jealous lover. Thatl
light and the next day seemed intermInahla,3
Q hial, and long before the appointed hour \
"a was in the glade.
He worked alone, and vixen the young girl 1
rrtved. 4 little late already playing the o.
uette- he was quite surprised. I
1T Il really myself said she. Twill You |
I've 1t til le2'
I'M, 1 via make you little one for your !
slfsn HI
And That one what will you de with it2" d
III will ~ III Paris, 1t Will he put iii Il large
anne, II will tn hung III b beautiful gallery, y
ad every one Will some and look lit 1t, h
sAh yes, know I'D the Exhibition"
Have you heard Of the Exhibitions" n
There are gentlemen painters here who Y