The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-12-03

the great man expresses them. To me, his
air is simply patronizing. Mrs. Spalding
is gracious as usual and Mr.. Spalding
seems to regard the near prospect of lunch
with more evident satisfaction than he does
the prospect of an artistic treat Mr.
Blagden suggests we had better step in to
see the picture-lunch has evidently its
attraction for ''the great Josiah" But /
tell him | wait DIR. Brooke, at which an
nouncement he subsidies Then I suggest
to Miss Nelly that, with her mothers per-
mission, she may now have the picture all
to herself for momentary peep. Mrs.
Spalding who is deep with Miss Blagden
in the mysteries of the manufacture of
rhubarb jam, readily consents.
Nelly follows me into the room where
my picture stands covered with crimson
cloth on my easel I close the door and
unveil it. Nelly glances at it for mo-
ment then growing deadly pale sinks half
fainting into my arms, but into those
of DR. James Brooke, who has most oppor-
tunely come upon the scene In speechless
astonishment he gazes at me, but he too
seems as if he were going to repeat Nelly S
procedure as he glances at the picture.
/ ''For heavens sake, Regy,'' says Jim in a
hoarse voice, ;:cover that picture up!
Nelly opened her eyes in moment or
two, which seemed to me like an age. Jim
had employed the interval in fashion not
unfamiliar to lovers, believe. And when
she did open her eyes, it was to clasp Jim
round the neck, and her words were few
but decided. Jim, dear [ can never,
never marry that man | will do what
ever you wish me to. But oh they have
tried ME so!''
What is it in my picture that has so
perturbed the lovers, and brought Nelly
Spalding to her senses? Simply the inte-
rior of the old church again. A ray of
sunlight streaming through a chink in the
stained window falls on the sad pale, tear
full face of newly y-made bride The brides
face is Nelly's own; and the pompous
BRIDEGROOM is Josiah Blagden, the artistic
treatment of whose white waistcoat and
chain has cost me no end of pains Behind
bride and bridegroom come the figures of
Mr.. and Mrs. Spalding; and in the dim
distance the vicar is seen still standing with
in the altar rails. But the central figure
after the bride herself is the young man,
pale. motionless as a statue, who stands in
a pew, and whose ashy face is fixed on the
bride. The face of the man in the pew is
that of James Brooke. The picture tells
its own story to Nelly Spalding. Itplaces
the possibility of the future before her eyes
as she has never dared to picture it to her
self. 1t reflects in all its naked truth the
fate to which, through her indecision, she
NAV commit herself and Jim. And it tells
its story so well that art conquers di-
plomacy in decision, and aids love in its
triumph over the great Josiah himself.
Footsteps on the stairs [ cover the
picture again. Nelly stands beside DIR.
Brooke; her cheek is pale, and there are
tears like dewdrops glistening in her eyes.
The iron-master looms in the doorway.
He takes in the matter at a glance and
frowns darkly at Jim and me-
As soon as Mr. and Mrs Spalding, who
closely follow Josiah, have entered the
room, Nelly, to my surprise, walks quickly
up to her father and takes his hand.
Father said she, with tremulous yet
decided tone, ''you know the message you
brought me from Mr.. Blagden this morn
ing? Give him my answer now. Tell
him that | am going to marry DIR. Brooke
Now it is my opinion that had the dis
carded Josiah at this moment held his
tongue, he might have got both Mr.. and
Mrs. Spalding to speak word for him with
Nelly. But as it was he destroyed his own
case at blow.
Message from me ?-and this is my
answer! why, [ care nowt-nort, he
repeated, bitterly, "about the matter. L
guess it was the lass's father and mother
that wanted to marry Josiah Blagden's
money-perhaps they wanted some Of it
for themselves.
The rudeness and vul garity which mark
ed the man came out Enthusiastically as he
said these words; and taking his sisters
arm in his and casting look of vindictive
scorn at the doctor and myself, he walked
out at the door with an ungainly strut,
which was meant for dignity; and we saw
the great Josiah no more.
Mrs Spalding was especially cut up by
the parting fling of Josiah, as it was she
who had maneuvred the matter thus far.
Mr.. Spalding on the other hand, burst into
iovial laugh, and taking his daughter $
hand, placed it in that of the doctor.
After all had left the studio but Mr..
Spalding, the latter asked me to tell him
in plain terms how | had brought this
about-for he had no doubt [ was at the
bottom of it. l uncovered the picture,
which Mr.. Spalding-simple, easy-minded
gentleman that he -scrutinized with
his double eye-glass, remarking to me that
he did not quite understand it all, but that
it was wonderfully clever, and that Josiah S
'weskit was as like as life
In six weeks thereafter [ officiated as
chest man" at Jim's marriage. As the
organist pealed forth the jubilant strains OF
Mendelssohn, after the wears benediction
had been given, and Nelly, radiant and
beautiful, passed down the aisle on her
husbands arm, l could not help rejoicing
in the success of what is now "No. 329-
A Wedding March," though the faces in
the picture as exhibited are slightly dis
guised, and Mr. Josiah's vest has been
shorn of certain of its distinctive peculiari-
ties.
American Gold Work and Jewelry.