New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-11-28
THE ARTISTS IDEAL.

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Ashford's pleasant home, The Cedars.
From those open windows you could
view the distant hills beyond, whilst
the balmy summer air floated in upon
each passing breeze.
But at that moment tbkse beautiful
surroundings appeared to give little
pleasure to the occupants of the library,
their thoughts were seemingly concen-
trated within doors.
One of the gentlemen-you would
have guessed him to be lawyer-was
seated at q table where writing materials
were constantly placed.
Another, a fine-looking man of prob
ably thirty, was examining with critical
eye the well-stocked shelves, occasion
ally taking down some volume for q
| casual inspection, while the third, and
owner of that mansion, walked restless
ly up and down the room.
Two of the ladies were seated to-
gether, conversing in low tones, and in
their words we may sketch the story of
the past.
''Poor Evelyn!' exclaimed the young
or one, glancing towards the object of
her compassion, who sat apart, profess
eddy engaged in cutting open the leaves
of some new book. ''Poor Evelyn!
young, rich, beautiful, yet undervalued,
it seems, by this laggard lover
ooh, Mrs. Hastings" returned the
elder lady, ''surely, those are hard
words to say!''
Don't look shocked, dear madame,
for l am constrained to say them. "Tis
like a scene in a play, or chapter in
some German romance, where the
tapers are lighted, the guests assem-
bled, the minister at the altar, but the
bridegroom comes not!'
Something must have occurred to
detain Keith. y
..Detain, forsooth! IT'S now three
hours past noon, the time appointed
for signing of papers and other formali-
ties upon this, dear Evelyn's eighteenth
birthday. He ought to have been here
with the sunrise and the opening flow
ers. But don't believe Keith st. Clair
ever cared for her; and yet, in all her
sweet young life, she has given no
thought to another"
'They never met since childhood,
Mrs. Hastings circumstances now
regret, for in this, their early home, she
had been constantly reminded of him,
while he, educated away from US, sell
dom heard her name. They have also
different natures. Evelyn is devoted
and Interchangeable, perhaps too greatly
(and though loving the dear boy as my
own son, I see his faults) is inclined to
be the reverse. My husband and be-
lieved that in promoting this union we
were acting for their welfare; but tits
an evil, rather than a good, when we
fallible and short-sighted mortals take
upon ourselves the part of the Desti-
nies.'' &C.
''Oh, dear Mrs. Ashford, do not
blame yourselves! Look at their por-
traits! What a noble pair seem these
two children of your adoption, as if
born for each other! Then, your own
having died in their infancy, Evelyn,
Colonel Ashford's orphan niece, was
the nearest by natural ties. -
At that moment Mrs. Hastings OBJ
served her husband glance toward
them, and summoned him by little
sign:
evil it interrupt your studies" she
enquired, 'if l ask you to take my
place by Mrs. Ashford, whilst I join
Evelyn, who appears SO lonely in her
chosen nook.
81 have not been reading, dear, but
merely deluding myself that was pass
ing the time that seems to hang so
heavily upon all our hands but hush!
hear horses hoofs in the court
yard!'
Colonel Ashford paused in his meas
ured pace to and fro.
SAT last" murmured his wife.
But Evelyn, though she spoke not a
word, trembled in Mrs. Hasting's friend
ly arms.
"a messenger from Mr.. ST.. Clair"
was announced as the door opened.
Then the courier, booted and spur
red, and travel-stained from his long
ride, entered and handed his missive to
the colonel.
s'Keith is not coming" said he,
glancing over his adopted sons letter;
che writes from some Out-of-the-way
spot among the Adirondacks. Pray
read it aloud, Mr.. Palmer
ny DEAR FRIEND: -After much -edec-
ton have decided to resign all claim to
the hand Of Miss Evelyn Ashford, and also
to your generous proposal to divide your
estate between vs. as some future q. time lime;
and my kind second-motherl Miss Ashford
will meet with some other, who will better
appreciate her amiable and domestic quail
ties than . rover like myself. Art Is my
chosen mistress; ! know, and wish no
tain me In aopte competence, either in this
country or abroad: and while thankfully