Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-01-14
WHOLE NO. 2,4O5.
he has called attention to h. dearest

he has called attention to it, dearest
and the papers have mentioned
it with favor; and he has recon-
mended you among his customers,
and has orders for you, as soon as
you are well enough to work again,
and, oh, Philip, you will be a great
artist after all. and you must unsay
those cruel words IL your letter.
Not share your life with me! Why
to whom but me does your life be-
long? The doctor says that my
care has saved it. So many terrible
anxious weeks have nursed you,
and will you refuse TO marry me af-
ter all ?" She nestled close to his
side, laughing and crying at once
for love and Joy. "Please say once
more that / shall be your wife, my
darling!"
All, how willingly he said it!
"You are coaxing me to my happi-
ness more than yours, my beloved, !"
he said family. But if this be So
if there is work for me TO do, so that
/ shall not come to my wife a pau
per-dear little faithful love of
mine, let us be married at oncer'
And so they were, on the very
next day, and Mr.. Brown gave his
bride away. He also handed the
artist one thousand dollars.
"The price of your picture," said
he, quietly, "mark my words, it
went too cheap; it will be worth
twice that some day."
Philip turned and gave the mon
ey to his bride.
sour purse is in common hence
FORTH" said he. "As for my picture,
God bless the purchaser, and that is
yourself, is it not? Or if you only
purchased for another party, may 1
know the benefactor's name? for
indeed, he was to me benefactor."
But Mr.. Brown only laughed, and
turned to Rose.
"Shall we tell him his patrons s
name 2" said he roguishly.
She came suddenly and knelt by
Philips side, anG twined her arms
around his neck.
"Philip, my husband" she said
humbly, "forgive me that Twas the
purchaser Mr.. Brown says the
picture will be worth much more
some day, and even now, he offers
to buy it from me, but / cannot
part with it / cannot bear that a
stranger should have it, dearest !
You will paint others-let them
be sold, but, love, let me keep
this :"
Philip lay very still little while,
and then he turned and clasped and
kissed her.
"I understand" said he, softly.
"My wife, your love has conquered
my pride; henceforth we work
hand in hand togetherp' Then he
turned half timidly to Mr.. Brown.
"Tell me the honest TRUTH said he
"would anyone but my wife have
bought that picture ?"
shot as it was hung" said the
dealer, frankly. SIT couldn't he
seen, much less bought. But I'll
find you purchasers now, if you
chose, or I'll take it at my own risk
tomorrow Here are orders for
two such paintings. You wanted
my dear sir, what many an artist
has wanted before you-some one
to find you out. "Here," pointing
to Rose, "here is your discoverer
God give good luck to both of
you!"
They had good luck, and much
happiness. The artist is rich to day,
and the famous "tirst picture" that
called the worlds attention to his
genius hangs, in the best possible
position and light-in his fair wife's
drawing room.
1t is worth a great deal more than
thousand dollars now, and Rose
herself would not take al the mon
ey in the world for it. Sitting with
her children around her, she tells
them its history sometimes-the
history of the days of poverty of
which they have no knowledge, Of
their fathers struggles and dispair
of her loving stratagem, and
how, by love she conquered Philips
pride.