San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-09-06

lleW OIL lOOhCu llhu hlIIC biOPS VI
melted silver in tho sunshine.
"Do you remember, Nell, what des'
perate efforts you used TO make try
ing to feather oars at Branford?
Then that was my most brilliant nc
complishment. All, well! since then
have feathered oars in many lands
or waters, rather" with laugh.
"But, alas? / haven't always had you
for an enthusiastic spectator, "
And, after slight pause, he went
on.
And the regatta ball---you surely
haven't forgotten that; how the
moonlight shone on the pillows, how
we waltzed around to the glad Weas-
ures of Strauss and Waldtenfel, and
afterward strolled on the wide veranda,
and how sudnenly left? [ seem
now to feel the vexation of that old
steamboat bells changing, that tore
me from the beach and you. When
ever l picture a glimpse OF Paradise
on earth 1 60 back to that night by
the sea. But that was Paradise lost,
and this is Paradise regained.
His rapid rush of words brought
back tide of memories. / remem-
bered that when that steamboat bell
rang he was talking around d danger
GUS subject. And it had often since
occurred to me that had he fingered
longer, perhaps | should not have
been Mrs. Norton, but the wife of
Bob TruemaD, the artist.
The hot blood surged into my
cheeks at the thought that l, mar
ried woman was passively allowing
such ghosts of the past to be resur-
rected ; so, quickly changing the top
ic, l said:
Tell me of yourself, Bob. Have
you brought back little bits OF all the
world, as you said you would when
you babe me goodbye, sketch-book
in hand, for that grand European
tour-bits that were to make you so
famous, and us So"
81 was going to say happy" but
[ remembered once more that / was
married, and stopped short. He,
however, OWNED my meaning, and
finished the sentence for me.
so, happy" he said: Yes, L
have brought back about half OF the
world, in black and white and colors.
And, oh, Nell, in all my wanderings,
it rang increasingly in my ears!
.'But Que thing want these banks of Rhine
Thy gentle hand to clasp in mine."
Don't you know, have tried so
often to sketch you from memory!
For instance, as naiad of wood
land study, nymph by Swiss lake
Oh spirit, in some of my mountain
glens. But L could never get quite
the tint of gold in your HAIR, so l
rubbed them out. You know you
never would let me sketch you i'll the
old days. But, Nell, there is one
thing that | never could dol never
could rub you out Of my life.
Though you have often tried, the
remark implies" answered, quick
ly.
He did not seem to notice my re-
ply. We had rowed across the lake,
and we were close to the water-lil-
les. He fished out a few with an oar,
shook the water from them, and,
leaning over, twined one in the coil
of my hair. Then he handed me
couple which | had fastened in the
bosom of my dress. Leaning back
on his oars, he said:
"These flowers are like the friends
1 would choose through life whose
lives are as spotless as the petals of
these lilies, and whose hearts arepure
as gold"
He regarded me moment with a
flush on his cheeks and an artists
light in his eyes, and then added
How wish l had my colors with
me! If 1 could get you upon canvas
now, it would be revelation. You
must come to my studio some time,
Nell. I've gorgeous one in New
York, and am not as poor as L used
to be in the old days. [ have much |
to show you there. l have been
abroad twice" he went on, with an
odd look, | thought.
Then there was queer silence,
rather oppressive.
To break it | said:
Shall you and your cousin re-
main long at the mountains?" ,
"a couple of weeks, he replied.
"She was looking so pale at dim
ner," | said. for want of something
better to say, and mentally added, $50 .
homely too.