The Osceola times., 1881-05-28
NIgIAM.

vehicles, and the car was slow in making
its appearance; but while he waited Cap
tain Mayell listened to the wild street
ballad, warbled by a fresh, exquisitely
true Young voice, TO the fitful acoompan-
iment of a cracked violin.
A little crowd had gathered around
the corner. The blind old fiddler, in his
tattered velyeteen coat and picturesque
white beard, passed his hat around and
the singer, with her face halfveiled by
the folds of the black shawl, which was
passed over her head and fell in long
nun-like folds about her slight person,
stood holding the violin. As her large
LIQUID eyes fell on Mayell he advanced,
and holding out silver coin spoke some
laughing sentence in the musical modu-
lations of the Italian language She
took the money with murmured word
of thanks; but the shy, sui prised glance
denoted that she had not understood
him.
$50 they are not Italians, af.er ALL"
said Mayell to himself, as he sprang on
board the car. 81 was sure that that
olive-skin, and those deep, melting eyes,
could only have caught their glow under
the skies of Italy. Well, it only shows
how easy it is to be mistaken. At all
events it was a fair, dimpled little face,
and hope her grizzle-bearded old friend
will reap an ample harvest of pennies"
And, in searching for the abiding-place
OF his old friend, Mr.. Castleton, the de
cayed artist, he completely forgot the
little incident Of the evening.
"No. A Sea court" he said TO him elf.
Eyes, this must be the place. And yet"
glancing up at the mildewed brick walls
and indescribable shabbiness OF the old
tenement house, "who would have ex-
pected to find Warde Castleton here
| Warde Castleton, the descendant of
long line of ancestry-Warde Castleton,
VIII )m ! can remember as the master Of
Castle HALL Bad management, extraya-
CANT living, mad investments-this is
what they have brought him TO. Poor
fellow one can scarcely offer charity to
him; and vet, what is to be done"
And cropping his way into the hall,
where Il sort of Cimmerian darkness |
reigned he managed TO inquire his way |
TO the floor where Mr.. Castleton lived.
The majestic old artist came forward
10 receive him, in a tattered dressing
gown which had once been ruby velvet,
a cap of the same material on his head,
and mahl-stick in his hand.
"Ah, Mayell, my old friend!' he cried,
grasping the hand of the unexpected
guest-"or rather the young friend of my
old days--you are welcome! You find
me rather indiferently situated; but we
all know that genius is, at times, under
a cloud. Walk in-walk in! Here is
Mrs. Castleton, and Beatrix, my eldest
daughter. Bu: where is Miriam?-
Miriam, the beauty and the runaway OF
the flock. Call her, Trixl Tell her to
get us some supper. She will be here
directly"
Mrs. Castleton, a little old lady in a
lace cap, who had lost the use of her
limbs, sat knitting, in wheeled chair,
by the sadly insufficient fire. Her, poor
nose was blue and the hand which she
held out to Clarence Mayell was cold as
an icicle.
Beatrix, a pale young woman OF twen-
ty, drew an old screen before the table,
on which was Il plate of cold mush and
pitcher of thin tea, and made haste to
adjust the easel Sd as to hide the cot-bed
in the corner.
Mr.. Castleton pointed to the easel
with grande seigneur flourish of the
hand.
"You see, Mayel," said he, that still
cling to the old habits. My hand is
scarcely as steady now as | could wish,
but it seems necessary to sell n picture
now and then. Trix, where is you sis
ter? Why does not Miriam come in?
We have some wealthy acquaintance,
Mayell," the old man continued, "who
decline to buy my pictures, and who con-
trive systematically to ignore US. But !
am told that Miriam frequently goes to
them. Well, well, cannot wonder-the
child is young, and this" glancing con-
around the room, sis hardly
the place TO attract a girls capricious
fancy. Trixy here is true to her old
parents"
Papa said Beatrix coloring, do not
blame Miriam. She"
"Haye blamed herr" The old artist
shrugged his shoulders. "She is young
she is very young-that is all. AsI
was saying, Mayell, sell picture now
and then, and so We manage to keep
alive. Just let me show you some Of the
ideas have sketched on canvas"
And while CAPTAIN Mayell turned over
the old mans portfolio, and cogitated
within himself how he might best offer
TO purchase picture without hurting
the sensitive pride of the artist, the 81.
lent Beatrix put more coal on the dying
fire, spread clean cloth on the table,
and set forth meal which had evident
ly been purchased in haste from the
shelves of the nearest cheap restaurant
half of a skinny, cold duck, a little dab
of muddy currant Jelly, a pile of bread
and a potato salad.
And when the unappetizing meal was
over, and they sat shivering by the fire,
the door opened and in glided slight,
small figure, like shadow.
"It's Miriam" said Mr.. Castleton; "my
youngest gil. Come in, pet, and speak
to Captain Mayel"
Miriam stopped abruptly in the door
way, and turned first red, then pale, be-
fore she advanced and held ont an un-
willing hand.
Maye,l rose, and bowed over il; but as
their eyes met he SMILED little
Miss Castleton," said he. Il am very
happy to meet youp
And Miriam hid herself away behind |
her mothers chair, close to Beatrix, and,
do what Captain Mayell would he could |
not succeed in drawing her into the con-
versation.
II will make her look up" he said to |
himself, little chagrined at the stead !
astnest with which the dark eyes were
bent toward the fire.
Turning to the artist he asked, care !
lessly
docs your daughter sing2"
"A little, in wild way, like lark or
a nightingale said Mr.. Castleton. "She
had a utlitar once but il is lost or hrOE on