Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-22
GaIes ari0 Skitfbfs.
MOLLY.
A SKETCH n THREE ToxKs.

SKETCH IN THREE ZONES.
When first entered the room it seemed
to me that was confronted by thick
veil Of darkness; but when my pupils.
contracted by the first glare Of the July
sun outside. had become accustomed to
sudden change. perceived that sub
dued light, proceeding from three CAREFUL
ly-curfained windows. dimly Illuminated
the apartment. / advanced cautiously.
threading my way amongst the quaint and
oddly disposed furniture, until slipped
into the little nook where her ladyship
reclined on a soft luxurious dlvan- She
was almost walled up between hinge
black cabinet and some curiously carved
shelves filled with saucers Of antique
china, each Of which stood with one side
against the WALL 30 as to form little
square chamber within the large drawing
room. This corner was just big enough
To contain the divan. a small. low ottoman
and tiny table. on which lay buttercup
with long stalk, by the side Of slen-
der vase in which mad been placed a spray
of white currants, the stem and leaves
struggling high in the air. whilst three or
four punches Of the transparent fruit hung
over the edges Of the glass.
Lady de Burgh was lying back amongst
deep red cushions, with listless hands
clasped round her knees, and conntem-
plating the vase of currants with the rap
fure Of one who has discovered a pro-
found secret. She was woman whose
age 1t was difficult to guess, and whose
height and figure could not be OWNED
from the obscurity VI the room. the ma
ture of her apparel and lounging at
tiiude. She was very pale, and her fea-
lures. though hardly beautiful. were re-
fined. She wore no ornaments, not even
on her long white fingers, save her we'd
ding ring. and on her soft. dark-brown
hair, which seemed to cling simply about
her in short dainty waves, without either
plat or parting. She was arrayed in a
pale-green dress. with good deal OF old
and yellow lace about it II sat loosely
round her neck and wrists. and though
her elbows and knees were sharply de-
fined, her waist remained unmarked be-
hind the straight and single fold Of her
silken garb.
II must not be supposed that | took in
all these facts at II glance. ] observed
them gradually "a | sat by Lady de
Burgh's side on the dvan, whittier she
motioned me.
II am very glad to see you. she said.
in low. melancholy voice. II believe |
have not seen you since the day of my
marriage, and you were such rough
boy them
II hope am not a rough man. said,
trying to moderate my voice. II was
only fifteen then. and it is twenty years
ago. You went abroad. and before you
came back had gone 10 India"
"Ah, you must have found India very
trying" she remarked. But life is a
dreary affair to all-always desire and
never fruiton."
But surely you have no cause to COM
plain" ventured to demonstrate; "Sir
John Is rich and successful. and | under
stand you have a charming daughter
She shivered slightly. my daughter
is a shepherdess," she said. "a mere
shepherdess. do my best for her, but
she il mere shepherdess. She is entire
IL her fathers child. like him negatively
and afiirmatively. Would you believe it
she even ridicules my currants She
says fruit ripens to be eaten! Eaten |
can hardly support the idea. Had a son
he would have understood me. sympa-
thized with me. intutively deciphered
me-"
But hear that Miss de Burgh is in
finitely lovely" said.
mo doubt" said Lady de Burgh. mo
doubt the soulless beings you have met in
town think so. Numbers of soulless men
and women come here. and think her per-
feet. And so she is in her way. but she is
mere shepardess. rs | said before. She
cannot satisfy me. But seek no joy from
those of my own hearth look for it but
in this calm seclusion. and occasionally in
the Intercourse OF select few who can APP
preciate." And she took up the buttercup.
leaned back among her pillows, and
fondled the flower against her lip and
cheek.
II shall be curious to see your shep-
herdess." said |. ''She seems well known
notwithstanding that she lives in this re-
tired place. But have sought her in
vain in London crowds"
"You have sought hera"
Yes. and have wanted to know what
my old friends little WAS like. and when
found the President of the Royal Acade-
my. and the Prime Minister. and the poet
laureate. speaking of her with enthusiasm
thought would seek her too. They. at
least, must be some judges of beauty. of
manners. and Of mind"
II do not agree There is very little
ART NJ the ACaueuiy, SAiu Lazy ue nuTSH
slowly The essence of art is failure
failure. because it dares to grope upon the
hidden scores of the unknown and the in
visible. The initiative art which treats of
lie. and of what is visible and tangible
and provable, is mere copying. and it is
this copying which you find at the Acade
my. What have said applies equally to
the poet-laureate's verse, which is indeed
thoughtful at times. but does not pretend
to iaihom infinity. or to explain the sec
rets Of nature"
l stared. Was Lady de Burgh mad?
but the Prime Minister?" I gasped.
thinking that here. at least, was practical
ground.
The Premier" she replied. lis. be-
lieve, an honest man. but like all states
men he is utterly commonplace and quite
oblivious OF the destinies of the human
race. Like all politicians. he sees only
with the naked eye. He does his best.
verify believe. but he is stupid and entire
" ignorant of the aims of humanity and
the needs for which il is yearning."
She relapsed. with her buttercup. into
her red cushions, and | sat stupefied and
speeuhless. A faint odor seemed to per-
wade the room. and no sound broke the
y Il y