The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-07-11
A PICTURES MISSION.
WHO was your model, Alfred p

one fascinated, fingered before an easel
upon which was large picture newly
finished.
On the canvass was depicted an ideal
creation Sweet Idleness, typifed by q
! charming woman reclining upon lux.
urious purple couch beneath columned
pOrtico, half hidden by great masses OF
; vines A chaste and poetic garb Of am.
Der satin draped the superb figure
there we're silver spangles on her grace
full arms; there were ropes of pearl
about her lovely throat, and pearls in
the unbound richness Of her bronze
black hair. A butterfly, all brown and
gold, lowered about her head; an azure
pigeon was feeding from one exquisite
hand and guitar lay ut her feet. The
pictured face was proud and pure.
There was an indOlent smile npon the
sweet and perfect lips, and the won
drous gray eyes beneath the dense, dark
lashes were full Of unroused tenderness
and fire.
"Who was your mode?' Victor Clar-
ence inquired with singular interest
"That is secret, was the sober an
swer
"Ah then the lady is not profession
al? Victor persisted curiously.
"She is not" the other allowed reluc-
family. "She Is the companion of Il
wealthy and eccentric dowagef, who is
my friend and for whom painted what
YOU so much admire. The girl is some
thing of a mystery, or perhaps / should
more correctly say that consider her
peculiarly secluded way of living slight
ly mysterious for one so intelligent and
accomplished
Still Victor contemplated that subtly
dilineated and sumptuously tinted pic
ture with the same enraptured yet specu-
lative gaze.
81 have fancy for mysteries" he
presently asserted in dreamy tones, land
| am quite determined to make the ac-
quainsance of this inscrutable paragon
of all the witcheries. Can you introduce
me to the home of your friend, the
dowagerP
The artist hesitated.
81 could, certainly" he assented, with
dubious emphasis; "but an introduce
ton would avail you nothing. Miss lie
Barre is averse to admiration and adj
mirers. And besides, Victor, you"
81 know" hastily interposed Victor, |
whose face flushed with vexation rs he |
strobe across the studio, and flung him
self impatiently into luxurious chair.
"You would remind me that am not
free TO do what would best please me.
DO the proprieties always demand only
what is reasonable? And for ten years
have | not been faithful to a folly-to
mistake-to a caprice of fate
"Ten years ago was summoned by a
dying uncle--a childless old man of
many oddities and much wealth, that he
wished me to share with niece of his de-
ceased wife. Twas just twenty-one; my
proposed bride was not yet sixteen. At
the bed of death | was married to this
girl, of whom knew nothing at all, and
who evidently detested me- for our re-
lative was not cold in the grave before
she fed from vanished like the
phantom of disagreeable dream, or
something equally as unreal. searched
for her thoroughly and conscientiously,
but never found her nor any traces of
her whatever | have long believed
that she is dead-only some strange and
sudden death can explain her singular !
And now you would !
remind me that | am not free to admire {
the girl whose pictured face allures me
rs the countenance of no woman has
ever done BEFORE" he concluded, re-
i
"Your eloquencc and your pathetic '
defense are irresistible" he said in pleas {
INT railery. "You have quite persuaded
ne, and you shall know Dulcie lie Barre
rs soon as you choose"
Thanks to you Alfred" the younger ,
nan returned with animation.
"Not SO, laughed his friend. II pre-
lict that you will come to me for com !
yet. The dusky gray eyes of !
'onder erchahtress in amber draperies |
md bangles of silver and pearls allure I
'ou only to humiliate you, Victor" Q
And MS the days and weeks rolled by
t would seem that the artist had predic- i
ed correctly. i
From the first the girls protectress l
lad been EXTREMITY gracious toward Vic 5
or Clarence. But the manner of Dulcie !,
vas enigmatical |
zone could imagine that you were q
with Mr.. Clarence" the elder D
ady once remarked rather rebukingly. D
He is handsome and worthy, and my a
ear Dulcie, it would all end so nicely If u
ou-" u
"Oh, hush !" interrupted the girl, blush a
lg sweetly. al
"You cannot deny that he has behaved
lost .honOrably," the other pursued e.
18th much earnestness. He told me his u
)mantio little story with the utmost al
-ankness, and he discussed the whole Sc
latter with me as gravely and fairly as %
| were your mother. And he loves II
on, dear, with deep affection and pas II
onate tenderness" In
would you regret so little if should al
ave your Dulcie queried evasiyely. W
"Such a suspicion would be unkind," n'
as.the gentle response. m
And | am very happy Just as am" 10
id the girl. Yet in those dusky eyes su
wondrous gray was a new light-a a
If, sweet splendor that never shone in II
lie eyes of woman whose heart has not sn
Irilled with the inefable joy Of per eee
ct love. nc
To the quaint elegant house that same sa
'cning came Victor Clarence man co
it'll a noble presence, with beautiful IN