The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-08-22


Nora Perry, in Harper's Magazine for
September.
ACROSS THE RIVER.
She was buying lilies when Ralph
Alyerton first saw her in Italy. 1t was
under a dust-bcgrimed old palace wall,
at the corner of one of the streets in
Florence. Ralph Alverton was out
early in search Of breath Of fresh morn
ing air, before the glare of the June day
began. A few Florentine women in lace
wells, holding fans between their faces
passed him on their way to church or
market; but it was an English face
which arrested his attention.
Vuole, iSiga61ina' rtt0lt" clamoured
all the flower vendors together, while
each thrust their handful of dewy roses
or ''Virgin Lilies" toward the fair face
of a girl with hair Of the same golden
red color as Carlo Dolce painted for his
angle of the Annunciation." Ralph
Axerton, the artist, could not help
thinking of that picture as he watched
her, lilies in hand, turn away from the
long stone ledge of the Palazo Strozzi,
which serves as a flower stall in the Via
Tornabuoni. The tall slight figure, in
her quaint costume of sage green, went
over one Of the bridges TO the other side
of the Arno. And Ralph went home to
his studio on this side of the river.
He had taken fancy TO the angel
painted by Carlo Dolce, aud a few days
later found him seated with canvass and
easel before it in the gallery of the Pitt.
Some eopyist had already been at work
/ there; another easel, with a half finished
sketch stood by the picture, and there
/ was a high stool left vacant. 1t was not
| long before it was taken possession OF by
its owner-the girl with the hair and
| face like the angel of the picture, the
resemblance showing stronger with the
removal of her hat. Side by side worked
the two English artists all the morning
with no exchange Of words.
The next day he came with the fixed
purpose of winning word from
her grave lips An opportunity was
easily found in some appeal about their
common work; it was followed by a
mutual contemplation of each others
painting. Ralph considered his own i'm
measurably the superior of the two,
but he did not say so, and talked be-
cause he liked his listener. But the con-
versation was brief; the artists were dis
Greet; and silence resulted.
"Ah, Liiias, 50 we have found you at
last!" cried Il grand-looking matrenly
lady, who, with double eyeglasses and
Baedeker's guide-book, entered the Sale
shortly before the hour for closing. She
was followed by party of her own
people, who came up and shook hands
with the girl artist. why, Mr.. Alyer-
ton, are You here? exclaimed a chorus
of surprised voices, and then there was
repetition of greetings. Really, In
travelling, one comes across friends in the
most surprising way!" said the leader
of the party, whom they called Mrs.
Calvon." II thought you were still liy-
ing in London. Do You know my friend,
Miss Yane.? No! Lilias, may | intro
duce Mr.. Alverton to you? What a
strange coincidence, that / should find
my two friends at work on the same
picture, yet unknown to one anotherW
Then the whole group of English Wis
itors suddenly grew interested in the
CANCEL Of the Annunciation, and in
one another. Mrs. Calvon put up her
glasses and gave her criticisms with all
the freedom of an amateur who knows
nothing about art. "Will you come
and see us this evening at the Hotel de
!. II Europe, Mr.. Alverton?' she asked,
as they left the gallery.
. Ralph accepted and came. In Mrs.
, Calvon's salon he learned little about
! Lilias Vane. Her family, who were very
poor, had consented to her wish to come
: to Florence to paint. She lived ct a
! pe4,sion-the Casa Chiara--which hap
; pened exactly to face the studio occu'
! pied by Ralph on the opposite side of
{ the Arno. While they were talking of
: her, Lilias herself arrived with some
other people, who had been invited.
q Ralph Alverton made up his mind
. that evening that he liked her very much.
Lilias did not make up her mind sc
: quickly. She was quiet and silent, with
!, a grave, sweet look which somehow con
l nected itself with the Angel and the
3 Lily But when it was time to go home
$ Ralph offered to escort the ladies back
to the Case Chiara. This was the first
1 but by no means the last time that hi
/ walked with Lilias along the river side
e where the lights shone, and across the
e bridge of the Carraja 70 her home OF
: the other side.
They often met in the rooms of mu
tual friends, where the evening WoulC
:, be spent, and when, whatever else hap
pened, or did not happen, the end wa
Il the same always; Ralph Alyerton tool
4 care of Lilias across the river, and lef
'e her safely at the Casa Chiara.
u One day, by special arrangement, tn
le Calvons and Lilias paid visit to Ralph
II studio on the Lung Arno. Some of th
party layished a good deal of ecstati
admiration on his paintings, which h
received for what they were worth; bu
= the few words uttered in Lilias' low
= steady tone. and the flush of animation
g aad interest on her otherwise calm face
:. were things he treasured. His studi
= was filled with original designs. As
j; rule he looked down on copyists, but b
= had continued the copy Of the "Ange
3 of the Annunciation," making his worl
"A last Just so long as the time Lilias tool
Is to finish hers.
a Meet rs at the Certosa tomorrow,
= said Mr.. Calyon to Ralph; "Lilias ha
4 promised to accompany us on a roun,
- of farewell visits we wish TO make TO a
- the principal sights before leaving Flol
= Ience. For leave ne must this wee
81 If Eustace does not appear. We haY
- waited long enough for him; the heat
s. becoming really insupportable." "EuI
= tacev was son Of Mrs. Calvon and ha
s. been expected to join them, but who's
N business appointment in London ha
s. hitherto delayed him.
= Ralph Alserton felt sorry that th
.re Calyons were leaving, partly for thei
81 own sake-they were pleasant friends
le still more because It would mean cess;
ton Of those constant meetings wit
LiIias.
IN the middle of the cloister garde
tn of the Convent Of the Certosa thel
- stands an old well. AT what are 70
- looking asked Ralph, leaving the re
- 70 follow the monk who acted as shos
- man, and coming acr0ss 70 where Lila
81 STOPPING over the wells side, was gain
81 down eafnestIy into It's dark depths.
~ 81 vas trying to think Of wish, 81
81 said. looking up With : smile. The
- old wells always give me chiIdish fai
- cy to ufslSs they make one think Of Il
~ wishing wells ID which Que used. as
child, % believe
~ know what wish, said R1lp
- With fervor which Nas quito oarnel
- Ihefe . IS nething ID the words: wlsth
- it vas tie tone = 1ef i vas scn1ethil
s.. she read u hIs eFes 81 they stayed fx|