Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-10-30

that she would be able to sell the picture
and pay the rent.
81 have not told Henry" she said
once, "what / am doing, He would moi
like to think that had to leave the chill
dren, and to work; but when he comes
back to US shall tell him how / saved
our little home and he will call me q
brave girl, and l shall feel so happy and
proud"
One day she left the gallery several
hours earlier on account Of her youngest
child, who was suffering from a severe
attack Of cold, and offered to put away
her things, that she might start at once,
so anxious she appeared to reach home.
Directly after she had taken her depar-
ture lifted the canvass off her easel, not
because it offended my eye, but because
when ! thought Of her high hopes re-
garding it, the sigh, Of it made me feel
quite broken hearted.
had scarcely done this before l per-
ceived gentleman standing near, exam
ining evidently with critical eye. and
no small degree Of pleasure, my copy,
which only wanted q few more touches
to render perfect. Was this gentleman
an intending purchaser As | watched
him, thought flashed suddenly across
my mind. and not more quickly than /
had conceived did resolve to act upon
this new idea.
The gentleman. after few moments
more silent examination Of my work,
turned towards where stood, with the
brushes and palette of my poor young
friend in hand, and inquired whether |
was the artist Of the picture, and if | had
any intention Of selling it. bowed and
answered both questions In the afirma-
tive. He then proceeded to make me
an offer Of ESQ for it. The sum was
not large; indeed, considerably below
what was in the habit Of receiving for
my works; but accepted this without
hesitation, and promised to deliver the
painting at his house in G. square the
next morning.
When he left me l began putting
few finishing touches to the picture. l
felt in such excellent spirits. What /
had resolved upon doing seemed to make
almost young man Of me again. Now
I intended to purchase her picture with
the ESQ. and to tell her that. during her
absence, had the good fortune to sell
her painting to a gentleman. | would
never let her know who the purchaser
really was. l walked home from the
gallery that night in very happy frame
of mind. looked forward with such
delight to meeting her again, with the
money for her picture in my hand.
The next was not students day,
and consequently no work was to be
done at the gallery. l did nothing but
think Of her and when l left my paint.
ing at the house Of its purchaser and re-
ceived the money, the first thing / did
upon my return waa to hang her canvass
upon these walls where il has remained
ever since.
could scarcely eat my breakfast the
following morning. so impatient felt to
reach the gallery.
When arrived there bastened up
the wide steps and through the several
rooms, until ] reached the picture OF
Claude. There was NO necessity now to
place the eAsels in readiness our work
vas done; and somehow thought rath.
er sadly, that perhaps l should never
paint another picture. But il was very
hot and close, although 30 early in the
morning, and it was perhaps that that
Made me feel faint, for I was glad to
take of my hat, and relieved to Aud I
WAS the sole occupant Of this part Of the
gallery.
waited for nearly half An hour be-
fore she appeared. I buried forward to
meet her. She looked paler than usual,
! thought, and her step was slow and
weary.
She regarded me evidently with great
surprise.
II expected to And you working" she
exclaimed. shut I'm earlier than I
thought. Inever looked atthe clock be-
fore l started. l seemed to forget every
thing I felt so out Of heart. I must
tell you." she added, striving. I could
zoe, with great effort, to keep back the
tears-"you will pity me, I know. Last
night ] had such cruel letter from our
landlord. saying that If the rent Il not
paid within 9 week we must turn out
and my youngest little one is 20 Ill, and
poor Henry, and perhaps after all my
trouble, after being obliged to leave home
the long day through. shall not be
able to sell my picture.
Isaw her lips quiver, and the tears