The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-17
MY MODEL ST. CATHERINE.

had wandered into quarter Of the city 3
Venice III which had never been before. whe
1 heard the ringing Of q chureh-bell In tn
neghborhood After finding whence 1t pre-
ceeded, strolled lstlessly, az was my wont
toward D large but dlDapidated duomo tina
Efood at the summit Of small flight OF Eton
steps, each OF which had been worn hollow b.
The feet Of many generations. The doorwa
was low, but cxanRitely carved, and yet til,
door that was hung at tho side Of the it'll
porch was OF the toughest deal, unplaned ant
unvarnishod, and with rusty hinges, quite III
keeping with the Venetian habits.
There were a few men In tho church, d few
women with Infants In their arms and few
c0ntadine with bright shawla, who had come
to the city for the day, and had determined
that the new crosses OF carved wood which
Shey had just brought should be speedily
utilized, and not DO left to hang as mere orna-
ments from their belts. | watched tho group
llpturned face here and q glossy bent head
there, for long time, when | heard soft
football on the flags about the porch |
glanced round and saw the figure Of d woman
who has Just entered.
/ noticed her give q hurried and almost
frightened look about the church; then, in
stead OF Joining any of the groups near the
altar, she hastened to where she seemed to
know there was a small carved crucifx In tho
niche Oh the wall far apart from any one, and
knelt, with her arms crossed meekly upon
her bosom and her head bowed in nj! humll-
W before 1t. l watched her attentively until
after considerable time her arms were
unfolded, and her head lifted toward the sa-
cred emblem. Her entire attitude was
changed from one Of humility to one Or i'm
ploration; her hands were clasped and lean
ing against the stone Of the wall, and her
body was bent forward. Then one Of The
stray sunbeams crossed the chancel and
touched her face with Its sickly light, and, as
watched the expression Of her face with the
pale and golden CLEAN upon 1t, l saw how
tafveioHsfy meek tt was; It was Hike tie
lace Of st. Catherine, | thought and, as
natural consequences, conceived strong de-
sire To paint st. Catherine with that face for
10 model.
Her face was most delicately olive In It's
complexion, but beautifully rich Iii color about
The cheeks; her lips were far finer than one
may notice among the Venetian women. and
as they moved In prayer, could see how sen,
sitive they were for they quivered momenta-
Tily like the lips of a child. Her eyes were in
expressibly soft though dark, for tho lashes
OF their lids were very long. and seemed tO
cast shadow over them that extended to her
lace itself. She was dressed almost entirely
1n black, and somewhat poorly
Inc longer watched the woman, the more |
Intense became my desire to have her for d |
model; but knew that it would be impossi-
fnT fb.Nr. 40 u.
any acquaintance. II | could only know her
condition in life | could lind out whether
ner husband sold cigars or secondhand |
!eWmelry-l knew 1t would be a simple matter
- naVe my artistic wishes gratitiad but how
was to find this out unless / followed the
woman When she should depart from the
church? did not like the idea of doing this
va anie was thinking over the matter the ser
Vice came TO an end, and that meek faced
creature arose from her kneeling place IN Tia
TreRulafly-Worn pavement and hastened tn
the door OIL the church, az II she dasired f.
f fg'sve he,o[e se could pc noticed by any of
my mind as to the course | should n,ro, 20
when an accident decided 1t for me- In risng,
Pc nasllly the womans handkerchief had fais
len from where it had been thrust int int, i har
bosom, and lay close to the wall beneath IT. H.,
little enshrined crucifix | noticad th NC
quickly secured the handkerchief before si ia
alta. altar candles o. had been snufed, as was the
~ aller Ihe service, and got to the head
bottom. A AeaeAi'u 'he
thought It better not to hasten after her
80 waited for few moments until she had
gone some way down the street, and then /
descended and followed her. knew that if /
We're 20 give her the .fGssotetto at once [ i
snouid net have chance Of speaking with
ner further. but If I were to follow her some
distance from the church We might become
lnllnate 10 few words. was not mistaken. ,
LoE, On walking quickly after her for a con.
way suddenly increased nv pace {
, nnI was ~ y, beside her and, raising MY hat
gould. asked her in Italian IL 1t wa nj. ha,
nfassotetto that had had the good fortune to n
s snr she gave little start and looked ut me il
III ah instant with an exclamation of surprise, G
Is heid out the small piece Of lace: then the
fa,s at Issues sss made shadows on her cheeks as
s.1 Wy Eyes iei and she took the handkerchief
Sa Il ,9:n IN quiet voice: 1890 4
nb,,r mss gfdsle, sagnore. have been to the f
Ilarcn OF ST. Catherine, 0ooAA ~ '1lo !. !.
anos5 laughed at the coincidence. Was al