Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-01-07
The Portrait.

Maurice was wandering aimlessly in the
depths Of the forest. Il had ceased rain
ing, out the drops OF water were sill
rolling from leaf TO leaf with the slight
sound of q nearly exhausted fountain trick
ling into It's half-alled basin, and in the
distance the dark path opened out into 4
wet glade OF z deep green Of exquisite soft
ness. The trunks Of the trees were very
black, their branches blacker still, and the
massive boughs of the chestnut trees above
the young planters head seemed ike high
arches ST cathedral al the hour when all
dark in the church and when the colored
windows cast into the gloom, CLEANS Of
light 50 intense and so mysterious that you
would think them lit up by fire OF live
Goals from without.
Maurice loved this hour al the decline Of
DAY, when after the rain the sun has not
shone out. and when gray tint is cast
over everything, blending outlines, soften
ing angles and investing every shape with
"a smooth and exquisite roundncss. He
walked slowly, discovering every moment
in the well-known forest some beauty till
tnen unknown, and he was thrilled to the
very depths Of mis- being by that tender ad-
mirati.n for nature which is one Of the
characteristics of genius.
Having reached the glade, he looked
around him. The grass was green and
brilliant; the delicate leaves Of the shrubs,
shining beneath the water which had
washed them, formed fine, lace-like net
work against the dark background Of the
great forest beyond. He stopped in or
der to see better. to observe better and to
take in better the impression OF the wet
forest, more impres sive and more human, so
10 speak, in its great shadows than beneath
The sunshine in all the splendor Of the day.
The pretty and graceful figure of &
young girl stood cut against the foliage OF
the birch trees. She advanced with a
supple movement, without perceivlng Maui
rice, who, as immovable as the trGpk OF
chestnut tree, was watching her. When
two steps from him the young girl perceived
him. She started, and let fall few twigs
from the fagot Of wood tina; she was carry
iDg on her head.
You frlgiten me-" said she smiling;
and her black eyes shone out merriiy be-
meath the tangle of her blonde hair.
he lool.od I! her without answering y
complete harmony, which no words can
render, reigned between the slender figure,
the laughing face, the lace ike foiisge Of
the glade and the tints Of the landscape.
s'Stand still, - said the young man; an.
going to take your portrait.
She wished to push bacl, her Lair, which
had fallen over her face, but he prevented
her by gesture.
Remain as you are.
He seated himself on stone AID
sketched rapidly the outline and features
of his young model. She was a peasant,
Int delicate and refined as the young girls
Of the peasantry often are before their
complete and often tardy development.
The eyes were already those of woman,
the smile was still that of a child.
ssHow old are you?" asked the painter,
still working.
81 shall soon be sixteen
':Already! i saw you three years ego
little bit of thing"
~ was very little" said she, with a
pretty laugh and frank and bold es spar
row, .Hbut l grew fast, and on st. John
day shall have lovers"
sWhy on St. Johns day?' asked the
Young man, stopping to look at her.
sBecause one must have lover to dance
with round the bonfire.
So soonl That pure brow, those inno-
cont ewes. that childish mouth, all these
were to be profaned by the boorish gal
lantry of a rustic. Maurice felt vague
jealousy dawn in his heart.
seWill you have me for lover! said he,
resuming his work.
ooh. you! you are gentleman, ana
am peasant; good girls do not listen tc
gentlemen.
That is the village code of morals the
ysung man answered nothing.
81 cannot see any longer; will ysu esme