The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-17
The Portrait.

s - = # 3
Maurice was wandering ainilessly in the
depths Of the forest. 1t had ceased rain
Ing, out the drops of water were still
/ rolling from leaf to leaf with the slight
ssound of nearly exhausted fountain trick
cling into its half-falled basin, and in the
Ndlstance tho dark path opened out into a
Swet glade of deep green Of exquisite soft
ness The trunks of the trees were very
I black, their branches blackcr still, and the
I massive boughs of the chestnut trees above
the young planters head ss enedllN1c high
, arches of cathedral at the hour when all
8 dark in the church and when the colorcd
windows cast into the gloom, CLEANS of
\ light SO intense and so mysterious that you
would think them lit up by fire of live
Goals from without. ..
8 Maurice loved this hour at tho decline of
Sday, when after the rain the sun has not
@shonc out and when a gray tint is cast
Cover everything, blending outlines, soften
33asing angles and investing every shape with
go smooth and exquisite roundness. flo
walked slowly, discovering every moment
gin tho well-known forest some beauty till
ssthcn unknown, and he was thrilled to the
ISyery depths of his being by that tender ad-
8miratien for nature which is ono Of the
characteristics of genius. ''w
"a Having reached the glade, ho looked
around him. Tho grass was green and
brilliant; tho delicate leaves of the shrubs,
Shining beneath tho water which had
washed them, formed fine, lace-likc net
assworls against tho dark background of the
$great forest beyond. He stopped in Or
Ssder to see better, to observe better and to
Stako in better the impression of tho wet
Iyforcst, more impres sive and more human, so
to speak, in its great shadows than beneath
athe sunshine in all the splendor Of the day.
d The pretty and graceful figure of q
Syoung girl stood out against the foliage Of
sSthe birch trees. She advanced with, a
geuple movement, without perceivlng Maui
SSfice, who, as immovable as the trunk of q
SShcstnut tree. was watching her. When
||SStwo steps from him the young girl perceived
$him. She started, and let fall few twigs
,e1rom the fagot Of wood that she was carry
ing on her head.
8 ''You frighten me-" said she smiling;
And her black eyes shone out morrily be-
ssncath the tangle of her blonde hair.
ssM He looked at her without answering. A
Incomplete harmony, which no words can
xender, reigned between tho slender figure,
the laughing face, the lace like foliage of
'Sthe glade and the tints of the landscape.
s ''stand;still, q said the young man; h ami
sS@geeoing to teke.ye,E portrait"K 5 9&B
iM She wished to push back her Lair, which
ghad fallen over her face, but he prevented
;sher by gesture. --3hi
@ Remain as you are."
s$ He seated himself on a stone and
llSsketched rapidly the Outline and features
ssof his young model. She was peasant,
Sbut delicate and refined as tho young girls
Rof the peasantry often are before their
complete and often tardys development.
The eyes were already those OF a, won an,
the smile was still that, of p child. 4 lsa., !,
'.How old are your. asked the painter,
still working.
IL shall soon be sixteon." (.
Already I saw you three years ago q
little bit Of a thing"
8 !, ~ was, very little," said she, with q
pretty laugh and frank and bold as, O. spar.
Y row, "bdt I grew fast, and On ST. Johns
day shall have lovers"
q 4as'Why on lSt.i Johns, day2.'' d asked .sthe
4 young man, Stopping ITO look at her. sati
Is Becaaae ono must hsSela ,loSsf to.llance
with round the. bonfire. 3|a 5
ss soenl Thatpure brow, those inno-