The Osceola times., 1883-06-02
A PICTURES MISSION.
By ETTIE ROGERS.

!
Victor Clarence had sauntered into
the studio of bis artist friend; and like
one fascinated, fingered before an easel,
upon which was large picture, newly
| finished.
On the canvas was depicted an ideal
creation, Sweet Idleness.' typified by a
charming " oman, reclining upon a luxuri
0us purple couch beneath columned
p)rtico, half hidden by great masses of
vines A chaste and poetic garb of am
Der satin draped the superb figure; there
were silver spangles on her graceful
arms; there were ropes Of pearls about
her lovely throat, and pearls in the un-
bound richness of her bronze black hair.
A butterfly, all brown and gold, hovered
about her head; an azure pigeon was
feeding from one exquisite hand, and a
guitar lay at her feet. The pictured face
was proud and pure. There was an in
dolent smile upon the sweet and leriect
lips, and the wondrous gray eyes beneath
the dense, dark lashes were full of uh.
aroused tenderness and fire.
"Who was your model? Victor Clar-
ence inquired with singular interest.
"That is secret was the sober an
sxer.
"Ah then the lady is not a profession
al?" Victor persisted curionsly.
"Sho is not The other allowed reluc-
tantly "she Is the companion of a
wealthy and eccentric dowager, who is
my friend and for whom | painted what
you so much admire. The girl is seme-
thing of a mystery. a" perhaps ! should
more correctly Say that | consider her
peculiarly secluded way ofliving is slight
ly mysterious for one so intelligent and
accomplished"
Still Victor Contemplated that subtly
delincated and a'lmp'ucu-lt tinted pic
turc with The same enrapturedye specu-
la'iye gaze.
81 have a fancy for mysteries" he
presently asserted in dieamy tones,
"and 7 AN quite determined to make the
acquaintance of this inscrutable paragon
of all the witcheries. Can you not intro
duce me to the home of your friend, the
dowager ?"
The artist hes.tated,
81 could, certainly he assentcd with
dubious emphasis; "hut nm introduc-
tion would avail yJu nothing. Miss Lc
Barre is averse to ndn'iratiom ard ad.
mirers. And besides, Victor. you"
81 know" hastily interposed Victor,
whose fine face flushed with vexation as
he strobe across the studio and flung
himself 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
reaonable? And for ten years have
not been faithful to folly-to a mistake
to caprice of fate9
Ten yeafs ago was summoned by a
dying uncle-a childless old man of
DluIN huullltS anu VI lluNil Mtdltll, llldl
he wished me to share with a niece of
his deceased wife. | was 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 detest-
ed me, for our relative was not cold in
grave before she fled from iiie-vanished
like the phantom of disagreeablc
dream, or something equally as unreal.
! searched for her thoroughly and con-
scientiouSly but never found Eer or any
trace of her whatever. | have long be-
lieved that she is dead-only some
strange and sudden death can explain
her singular disappearance. And now
YOU would remind me that am not free
to admire the gill whose pictured face
allures me as the couhtenance of no wo-
man has ever done before he concluded,
reproachfully.
"Your eloquence and your pathetic de-
fense are irresistible" he said in pleasant
ralliery. "You have quite persuaded me-
and you shall know Dulcie lie Barre as
soon as you choose"
Thanks to you Alfred" the younger
man returned with animation.
"Not So" laughed his friend. Il pre-
dict you will come TO me for commisera-
ton yet. The duslly gray eyes OF Wonder
enchantress in amber draperic, and
bangles of silver and pearl allure you
only to humiliate you, Victor"
And as the days and weeks rolled by
it would seem that the artist had pre-
dicted correctly.
From the first the girls prutectress
had been extremely gracious toward
Victor Clarence. But the manner of
Dulcie was enigmatical.
cone could imagine that You were CO.
quoting with Mr.. Clarence the elder
| lady once remarked, rather rcbukinglv.
"IIc is handsome and worthy, and, my
dear Dulcie, it would all end so nicely II
you---"
"Oh, hush !" interrupted the girl, blush
| ing sweetly,
"You cannot denv that he has hehav.
ed most honorably," the other pursued
with much earnestness. 'Iie told me
his romantic little story with the utmost
! trankness, and he discussed the whole
matter with me as cravcly ani .lirly a.
| if | were your mother. And he loves
you, dear, with deep affection and q
passionate tenderness"
"Would you regret SO little if should
leave youp Dulcie queried evasively.
"Such suspicion would be unkind,
was the gentle response.
"And am very happy Just as am,
said the girl. Yet in those dusly eyes
Of wondrous gray was new light-a
soft, sweet splendor that never shone in
the eyes OF woman whose heart has
not thrilled with the inenable joy Of q
perfect love.