Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-06-10


word from her. Perhaps the artist
might kindle to new enthusiasm over
his work if success smiled on him, and
so lose that other maddening dream
that had blighted his life.
YES; let us 60" she answered.
So they mounted up the stairs with
out further words till they stood some
what breathless at the top-the rooms
were nearest the sky.
Artists like to get above the small
affairs of our lower life, said Mr.. Thorne,
somewhat pompously-"near the stars
and comets, / suppose"
There was no answer to their knock,
but Chester Thorne pushed open the
door and went in. Palette and brushes
were thrown about in that disorder that
seems somehow fitting to man of
dreams. The place seemed filled and
permeated with the immediate pres
ence of the owner, so that Francia look
ed about for him, and rather expected
to see him emerge from dim alcove
before which hung faded bit of rare
GObelin tapestry. There seemed some
sort of figure there; but, then, the room
was full ofphantoms. A woIaan's form
here, with classic Greek drapery; a
model there with an ancient toga about
it; plaster hands, foot, face, old ar
NOR Malay creese, carved chair, a
| faded shawl.
Francia, looked about curiously
enough, and then started back with a
cry. She was looking at-herselfl
The artist had not expected such a
visitor, or he would have turned that
picture to the wall 1t was Francia in
the dim blue dress, but he had painted
| her as Juliet in the balcony. About
her round, young neck were three strings
of pearl The blue silk was cut square
in the neck, and some sort of a white
under-rObe came up to the throat and
was pulled with blue bands across the
rounded plump young arms, which
were covered to the wrist with tightly
fitting blue sleeves. Through the mass
es of blonde hair blue ribbon was care
lessly drawn. She leaned her elbows on
the gray stone of the balcony and rest
ed her cheek against her two slender
clasped hands. Her face was pale and
there was an inexpressible sadness about
the small mouth, and unshed tears in
the eyes, over which the lids dropped
heavily. You see she thought Of her
absent lover. Life at that moment look
cd hard and drear to her. A word
would make those lips tremble and
tears fall.
"HOw like YOU and yet how different
exclaimed Thorne, in a matter of fact
way. Glow did he ever see that ex-
preston in your face? How could you
paint such n heartbreak there?"
II don't know, [ do not see how he
painted me at all, as [ never sat to
him." Francia said, staring at the pic
ture in an uncomfortable way. 1t was
so like that it seemed to her as if some
time that look must come to her, as if
she would verify it by having some
| heartbreak to complete the likeness.
Francia shivered little with apprehen-
sion and turned away
II will buy that picture" Thorne was
saying in the assured way in which
milliOnaires are wont to speak. ''Here
is something he spoke to me about the
other day" continued Thorne, 'and [
said [ would come and look at it. Do
you know have found a change in him
lately. There was something curious,
vague, and drear in his eyes. wonder
if he was not in want? [ know there
came a very eager look III his eyes
when spoke as if might possibly buy
his picture Poor fellow! / don't know
much about these things, but it strikes
me there are elements of greatness in
it."
The picture was a large one of Prone
theus. Bare, cold rock uplifted high
and above a heaven full of thunderous
glooms. A desolate sky above a desc
late sea, as if both were in league with
fate, and in this atmosphere of doom
lay that awful figure chained to the
barren rOck-that face of untold agony,
yet contemptuous,s cornful, bold-those
awful eyes turned to the unrelenting
heaven, those wordless lips eloquent
with despair
81 will take it," said Mr. Thorne, after
q pause. ct is not to say cheerful, but
[ feel that it is great. Yes; Will take
this struggling young fellow by the
hand will foster his genius; he shall
go to some for q couple Of years, if he
likes. He can repay me with his
painting. When [ get home of my
own | shall need a good many"
at would be noble work to help
HIM said Francia, with pretty blush,
which made her companion look at her
instead of at any other picture.
''He does not come" he said
she does not know what good fortune
awaits him. Let us sit down; you are
looking tired. Why may | not say
here some words that | have been long
ing to say for week or two?"
Francia flushed still more, but did
not object.
These shadowy people will not inter
rupt us" said Thorne, with a compre-
hensive gesture towards the pictures.
| when | think of future home, I
think of you, Francia. You would
grace any home, however stately. VIII
you share mine?'
1t was an odd sort of love-making, the
girl thought, and yet she had dwelt so
much on material things, why should
they not be offered, instead of hearts
and undying love and sighs and vows?
Chester Thorne came nearer, and
took her hand.
you would make me very happy if
you could care for me in that way" he
went on, some eagerness coming into
his tune. Il have money, as you know
but that is not everything. [ want
you. 1 cannot be happy without you"
Well, that was something, Francia
| thought, with stir of gratitied vanity
at her heart She wished Mr.. Thorne
had chosen some other place, for it still