The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-03-27

Design, and suffered the cruel blow oil re-
lection Beyond was an 0phelia with
yellow hair, who had shared similar fate
the previous year. These lovely hcroines
languished in the obscurity Of the glass
piazza, without ever having met the ap-
proving smile of an appreciative public.
Oh, the cold sclfshness Of the world, and
the willful blindness Of hanging commit
tees and art critics For the first time
Agnes found the smile Of Beatrice insipid,
and her gaze vacant A doubt chilled her
heart. Quickly she turned the picture to
the wall, and sought the easement, gazing
forth into the night rather than longer
contemplate her own work.
The piazza, located in the rear Of the
noisy avenue, overlooked the houses of
the next street These residences were
aristocratic in proportion as their neigh
bors we're humble. A high brick wall,
bordered by vine of wistaria, inelosed
stable and garden of the mansion oppo-
site, while brilliant lights within revealed |
a conservatory to the observer. The light
came through curtains Of silk and lace in |
a more remote drawing room, where the |
chandelier was visible, like great golden
cone, aud slanted across the conservatory,
resting here on frond Of quiyering fern,
aud there on mass of gorgeous blossoms.
At the same time the ripping melody of
u piano, touched by skillful hand, reach.
ed the ear Of this lonely spectator, who !
looked down on all this luxury, gayety, |
and life not so much with sting Of envy
as crushing, overwhelming sense of per-
sonal failure.
The night was clear, stars sparkled in
the sky above, and the radiance Of full
moon began to illuminate the city roofs.
A girl entered the conservatory, ap.
preached sash, and opened it, leaning
out to discover the moon. She wore a
pink dress, with soft white lace on neck
aud arms; jewel flashed in her hair
Turning aside from the window, her sleeve
caught in the branch Of a towering plant,
she overturned it, and it fell outside the
window with crash Of broken pottery.
The girl uttered little cry of dismay,
glanced down on the wreck she had occa-
stoned a moment, then withdrew her head
and closed the sash. The plant, an off
shoot Of the conservatory wealth bloom
and fragrance, remained on the ledge
where it had fallen.
Now the silk curtains separated, and
gentleman joined her. He was tall aud
slender young man in evening dress, with
flower in his button-hole, aud he tossed
aside cigarette as he approached.
"There is one for whom life is fortu.
nate unused the artist. GLOW readily |
can picture him attaining maturity, smil.
ing and good.humoredr and growing old
in that charming home, surrounded by
friends r
The girl had clasped her hands on the
young mans arm, and gazed up into his
face. lie responded to this thoughtful
scrutiny by touching her hair lightly, ca
ressingly, with his lips, and then speaking,
with a careless laugh.
"Well, | have consented to 90 to Min.
nesota for the winter, May. Such non
sense as it is should prefer Paris or
Italy. A mere trife of cough, and all
the doctors looking so wise and glum.
They rejoice to secure case, suppose -
May disengaged her hands from his
arm, and plucked camcllia. Her face
was as untroubled as his own.
IL shall return 10 the spring for our
wedding, dearest, he continued. "What
a weather-roughened giant you will have
for bridegroom T.
"Ilonry, take me with you,' she plead
ed, scftly. "Do not 90 away all alone,
dear. Let US be married tomorrow
"Without the Worth trousseau, ma
migHoane, and great reception p he
questioned half mockingly.
"You should be gallant, and say some
thing about beauty unadornod,' said May,
tossing the camelia at him.
Then the brilliant eyes of the young
man clouded, the rich color in his cheek
paled with the emotion which made his
lip tremble.
"My noble girl my good little wife r
he whispered, folding her closely in his
embrace.
Agnes Clement Witnessed this scene
without diyining all its significance, and
tender smile dawned on her own face.
Tie homely devotion Of sister Anne to
her husband in her cabbage scented do
minions did not touch her. The meeting
Of the two young people in the conserva.
tory moved her profoundly. Was not
her artistic taste gratifed by their beauty,
the light shed through the silk curtains
behind them, the rCsy simmer Of the
girls drapsries, aud the shadow of exotic
plants meeting above their heads? She
remained there motionless long after the
pair had disappeared, her eyes fixed ou
the fallen plant, which still rested on tho
ledge. The stone.work blanchcd in con.
trast, the delicate white blossoms to snow,
and the moonbeams touched each petal
with silyery lustre, until the spray re-
sembled the lilies Of the Mediei chapel 10
the Church Of 5. s. Annunziata at Flor.
ence. The plant had been cast out into
tho frosty night, to die aud be forgotten in
the cold purity of the moonlight, aud be-
meath the cruel brilliancy of the distant
stars. IL she could have rescued it from
SUCH death by stretching forth her hand
she would have done so; but she was
powerlesS to avert evil. Slowly she re.
turned to her room, extinguished the gas,
aud sought forgetfulness in sleep. The
Journal containing the advertisement Of
Lang and Co. remained on the floor, where
she had thrown it down at an earlier hour.
Next morning her FIRST thought was Of
the neglected plant. Had il survived the
night? What had become of it2 She
fastened TO her post Of observation Of the
previous evening The conservatory spark
led in the morning light, aud the plant
remained on the cornice ledge. Yes, il
had perished during the night, cast forth
from It's homo in the balmy hot-housc.
Already the leaves were shrivelled aud
blackened, the spray of blossoms dropped
wan aud ghostly in the dawn, retaining
the rose tints Of shell. As Agnes look
ed at It, the early sunshine, which smote
the sparkling colors from the glass dome,
like the prism of a crystal, also touched
the dead flowers with warm, golden rays.
Thus the flower soul might be absorbed 10
sunshine aud waited ON, she thought
Suddenly the artist put her hand TO her