Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-24
ANDERHAvEH's WILL.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

the warm, still, evening air, rs they
played the Shadow Song from adj
norah.n
: The old houses which surrounded the
place, with their quaint ''stepD gables,
carved timbers, and the deep-set case
ments, seemed to have fallen asleep In
the sunshine, dreaming perhaps of the
days when Bruges was one of the CEN
tres Of the worlds commerce; when her
naughty burghers lived like princes,
and the ministers of twenty nations re-
sided within her walls.
One Of the largest and most pietur-
esque Of the ancient tenements-form-
erly the clubhouse Of wealthy cor
poration-was occupied by NJ. Nicholas
Vanderhaven, who, after q busy and
prosperous life as merchant at Ant
werp, had retired to spend the evening
of his days in his native city.
On the first floor, looking out on the
market-pl was a spacious apartment
which had been the banquet chamber
the Guild, and was now used as q studio
Of by NJ. VanderhsYen's grandson. No
artist could have desired more harmO-
nious surroundings. The room, though
UNFINISHED, was picture in itself;
with its painted ceiling, walls paneled
In dark polished oak, superb renaissance
ebimney-pieee, and the sixteenth-cent-
ury tapestry that hung before the door.
The only occupant of the room this
summer evening was Baruhsrit Van
derhaven, q handsome, dark-eyed
young fellow, with muStaehe aud short
pointed beard, dressed, with 3 certain
affectation of earelessness, in quantity
cut velvet blouse and open collar.
he had drawn his easel close to the
1,inffoaE. to catch the falling light, and
Max pnintipg induStriOusly, putting at
&Ie' cigarette meantime, and only paus-
Ing now and then. to cast half-re-
1roatbfI,i gIapee af rae darkening sky.
IA AZ length he drew back, looking at
rs uork with q criNcai fr0En. Grad
ually his brow relaxed, and asnnile stole
20 his lips
Eyes, it fsake her, he muttered;
Every like! Just llf4t wistful look in
the eyes, and the tendeF, tfustful smile
30 well, Mysweet Annettew
The painting was q half-length por-
trait OF young girl in the richly-pic-
turesdue costume of q noble Flemish
lady of the seventeenth century; u girl
with a delicate, oval face, only family
tinted with rose-colOr; sweet, smiling
lips and sOftest hazel eyes, which had u
dreamy 'outlJOkingp gaze that gave
touch Of spirituality to her sweet face
rs il he had never seen it before. so
absorbed was he that he did not hear
the opening of the door, and started
when a familiar voice behind him said,
dryly: Il fear am interrupting you,
Bernharlt. Shall / csme again when
you are less occupied"
"You caught me dwadling for once,
grandfather" the young man answered,
turning toward the intruder with q
pleasant smile; "but have been work
ing furiously all day, and my picture Is
nearly finished"
al am glad to her it, was the reply,
"a, without even glaneing at the canvas,
the intruder took his seat on the only
chair the room contained, unceremOui.
ously sweeping on to the floor heap Of
drapery which encountered 1t.
Nj. Nicholar Vanderhaver was a hand
,1&lsns, vigorous man Of 30, with few
<43e6f,sge about him save the silyered
&Sir. ami the thick, white brows, be-
. &t1(H uhich his keen eyes glittered
He IRE under snow" His chin was
t0afe md firm, and his elOSely-shut
|.1l6 tDuld have been terribly grim
NV sDme lines about the corners
|Ijch moved q CLEAN of humOr and
<In1Iintk. His face was a pretty fair
|1fI1x 81 his character; shrewn, hard,
Lnt not 10 kind, and capable on occasion
|cI 44nf1chs impulses.
Akamglad to hear it," he repeated.
~tnThere has been enough, and rather
too much of dreaming and daubing
ID is time you began life in earnest"
Bernhardt raised his brow.
Il al thought | had begun it in very
serious earnest he returned, with u
half smile, standing with one foot on
the rail Of his painting stool, and his
elbow on his knee. II have worked
hard enough lately to satisfy even you,
monsieur"
worked? humph, well-if you call
that work. But who Is the better for
il? What comes OF it alp
Nothing yet, perhaps, but fame and
for tune will como oft some day, at least,
/ hope So" added Bernhardti land
that hope is my guiding star"
"a will-o'-the-wisp that will lead you
into swamp was the encouraging
comment.
The young man laughed, and tossed
back his long hair.
"Come, grandfather, how can you
tell what my chances are" he said
good-humOredly; "yOu never even
glanced at my picture. | should be
glad If you would, for you are an excel
Tent Judge of painting, though you have
such contempt for artists"
"Artists who are worthy the name
have my admiration aud respect" ans.
wered Mr.. Nanderhaven deliberately
AT only despise those shallow pretepder>
who make art an excuse for idleneS'
and affeetation; for wearing abnorma
coats and boards" This listener vince
slighted); "leading abnormal lives, anC
being altogether chartered as BOhem
hans. However, enough of that" HI
continued. 81 want to have LITTLE
serious talk with YOU"
: The young artist gave resigned
sort ofshrug, and, perching himself OF
his painting-stool, prepared to listen.
"YOu will be p on the LIST Of mex
month" his grandfather began. "Gou
have not forgotten your agreement?n
"No, sir; have not forgotten. HoU
we're to leave me free to follow my owl
deviees till was Of age, then / was Il
choOse between art and commerce; t
Mcide whether would go on with m.
limiting or join my cousin in the hous
ID Antwerp, Of which you are still tn
fuominal head"
4 ;Exactly. Well?'
4 F'Well-I have chosen art, rathe
Art has chosen nae. She has called
land / must follow, whether she re
wards me or not. i am sorry to disap
poipt you, grandfather, knowing yol
e = T<nr heart on my entering tn
|rr. lit Is impossible. i shouli
~. Is \ man of business. am ;
- oRhothing."
rely grim grew his eompsn
- U#&Xs he listened, and the line