The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-05-29


because l shall not gain the prize"
replied he, with au expression of sadness
which was instantly reflected on the face
OF Lucy.
"Why do you refuse this honor2 Do
you fear to failT
"No, madam but how shall / repre-
sent as she should be represented, the
mother of the Savior? Where shall l
find model ?" As he pronounced these
words his eyes rested on the angelic face
OF Lucy. 81 have hitherto sought in
vain the combination of mildness, sweet
ness and candor which should character
ize TIE queen of heaven.
The fire of genius which illuminated
the handsome countensnce of Van Dyck
elected the admiration of all observers.
"But l should imagine that there
would be no difficulty in obtaining mod
els for painters" ..
"The models which can be obtained
for hire, are beautiful, without doubt.
1 have sought in vain for the dignity and
purity which l have never seen united
but in noble lady whe would disdsin
to sit to poor artist"
The animated and ardent glance of
Van Dyck embarrassed Lucy; it told
her that he had at last found the object
his fancy had depicted. The duchess,
however, had not observed it, and
asked:
"Who is this noble lady ?"
"The virgin herself, madam p Bowling
profoundly and giving parting glance
at Lucy, he added: eff gain the prize
you shall see me again, madam; if not,
l leave England"
He took immediate possession of his
apartments, where he could at the same
time paint his madonna and copy the
frescoes for the chapel. With his mind
full of the celestial face he had just seen,
ne seized his pencil and endesvored to
trace her lineaments. But the extreme
sensibility SO useful to art when time
has Gained it was now his chief obstacle.
He felt too deeply to succeed in express.
ing the idea which filled b soul. The
day passed in fruitless attempt and the
night surprised him, dissatisfied and de,
spondelt.
In the meantime Lucy had suffered |
severely for the preference shown her by
Van Dyck. The envy and jealousy OF
her companions found vent in imperti-
nent ssrcasm; so that, on separating for
the night, her mind was filed with his
idea, and after her nightly prayer, his
name was the last on her lips.
1t was midnight. The heavens shone
with thousand sparkling stars, and a
dark light spread itself on the old abbey
which stood solitary and alone among its
ruins.
A window of the palace opened, and g
shadow passed slowly along the balcony
and staircase, crossed along the court and
reached the monastery. z FH..
1t would be difficult to say how this
figure had left the palace and penetrated
go far; but she must have been well &C
1uainted with all the turnings, for in q
short time she crossed the long avenue,
and, arriving at one end of the galleries
Of the chapel, she found herself in the
painters work room, and, passing lightly
On, seated herself, without looking
around her, Immediately in front of his
easel.
Oh, surprise Oh, joy this being, SO
calm, so beautiful, is Lucyl The
artist who had been unable
TO retrsce her features on canvas now
oeheld living model before his eyes.
What idea could have given her the
courage and resolution? He threw him
'elf on his knees before her, but Lucy,
him to rise, pointed to his
pencil. Her look penetrated him with
! fame so pure that he forgot the reality
If his vision-his establishment seemed ,
to him want of faith. Transported by
to an ethereal sphere, he
seemed above the earth, and in the midst
If the sublime concerts If angels, he be-
leld Mary environed by divine rays.
he was no longer the powerless artist
Who had just thown at his feet his un.
uccessful pencil-the artist replaced the :
llan. Mute and bresthless, inspired by
mysterious strength, he seized his pal ,
Ute. His colors gave the form and his
oul the life in few hours he created :
he most beautiful and the most pure of I
-irgins. n. -a-rr-trE {
When the young girl saw that sitter |
rscing her features he was occupied in
to his picture the soul which 6
him, she rose silently, ard I
nth a calm ana assured step left the
Monastery by the same road she had {
ONE. c
Van Dyck, with wondering eyes and
oppressed breathing, made not the
Iigbtest effort 10 detain her. In his
yes she was ne longer mortal, and in
er departure he thought he saw the t
IsdOnna returning to her native skies.
by his execution and excite c
Ient, he fell asleep in his arm chair. b
In awakanipr his 6rat +bnuoht ues m | 81