Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-24

painted canvas upon pOsterlty. This PIC
ture shall have some interest besides
personal one. Suggest a character for
me, Mr.. Give"
Give, growing enthusiastic at the pros
pect of such subject for his pencil, now
that his scruples were set at rest, pro-
posed that his patrOness should sit to him
as Lady CastleWOOd" in that scene of
Ihackeray's novel where, after their brief
dispute, she turns to bid "EsmOnd' good
night.
The suggestion pleased Lady Crewe,
who forthwith dispatched an order to
town for suitable dress to be fashioned
after the artists own design.
When the day appointed for the first
sitting arrived, the servant, who eviden ly
had his instructions, led Give to room
with northern light looking upon the
gardens, htted up as temporary studio,
where his easel and canvas awaited him.
The room was empty. The only thing
with life in them were two of Miss War
ners white cats curled up on velvet
fOOtst00l, and some tall crimson lilies in
quaint china bowl, which somehow re-
minded the artist of their stately owner.
Suddenly portiere of dull-tOned ia
pestry was drawn aside and Lady Cas-
tlewood" entered. Whatever Bernard
had expected the reality far surpassed his
anticipatiOns.
'shall do?' she cried playfully, with
FAINT blush us she surprised the sudden
involuntary admiration of his eyes. "Am
old-wOrld enough to please you? Alicia
says | am splendid! She is a severe critic,
so be sure you do Lady Castewood' JUS
tice."
He rallied his mazed senses and set to
work then, and many days after. The
diHgy inn parlor looked dingier than ever
when he returned to 1t after those plea
SAINT sittings. His own company failed
to satisfy him after the hours of easv-
flowing talk, while Miss Warner ambled
in and out with her knitting, fondled her
cats and time glided on like dream. The
artists reserve began to wear of In an
atmosphere where there was nothing to
wound the proud sensitiveness of one who
had been hitherto at outs with fortune.
Enticed by his sitter's gentle question
ing he would speak freely of his work; of
hesfailures and successes of the past; Of
his hopes for the future. He was ambi-
tiOus, that was eyident-ready to deny
himself for his art. Long ere this he
would have taken to himself the pilgrim
staff and scallOp shell and found his
wagon foot if need be-to the Italy he
thought of by day and dreamed of by night,
but for one tie which tethered him to his
own country, an invalid mother, the CEN
ire Of his cares and interest. He told of
her gentle, unselfsh life, of the sacrifices
she had made that he might follow the
profession he loved; of her frail health
and of his hope that his labOrs at Combe-
hurst would procure her the holiday IN
fresh country air she so sorely needed
away from her home amid q wilderness OF
bricks and mortar.
Lady Crewe had good heart. She took
a kindly interest in all he told her, asked
the whereabouts Of his home and said she
must visit his studio and make his moth
er's acquaintance next time she went to
town. Then she grew thoughtful and
talked no more, but next day she gave
Give little note to enclose to his mother:
1t contained a kind invitation to the old
lady to come atonce and spend fortnight
at COmbehurst, where its mistress prom
ised her every care and attention and the
best of bracing air. Eyes, and my good
Cousins society into the bargain! Alicia
loves to have somebody to look after and
pet, Mr.. Give! She has no one but me
and her cats. dom give her half trou-
bic enough, and as for the cats-the big
white one pinched its tail in the door at
breakfast time and she has been crying
all the morning about it,
The invitation was gratefully accepted;
and few days saw Mrs. Give established
in two cosy rooms en- suite on the ground
floor, looking upon an Old-tashiOned flower
whenever the fancy took her.
Alicia Warner struck up a great friend
ship with the gentle silver-haired old lady
They caressed the cats, discussed Ber-
naru's projections, exchanged knitting
patterns and played exciting games Of
whist with double dummy, while the elder
lady's eyes grew bright and almost youth
tut again, and the delicate pink of i'm
proving health returned to her faded cheek.
Bernard in his homely inn could work at
ease, knowing his mother so well cared
for.
One day about this time Miss Warner
told Give her Cousins history. Not an
uncommon one.
She had been a Miss MOhun. Her faith
ers affairs had become embarrassed and
his heavily mOrtgaged family estates were
about to pass into the hands Of strangers
when the mortgage, Sir Edward CreWe,
a newly-knighted Manchester manutac-
turer, offered to fOregO his claim upon con-
ditiOn of receiving the hand in marriage
of General MOhun's beautiful daughter
then lust Is. Gisela MOhun was devoted
to her father; he was in falling health;
she consented to make the sacrifice. The
fruits OF it lasted until after her father
died, fortnight after her marriage; the
sacrifice itself for five long years, during
which Gisela CreWe made daily suffer
ing Of youth and health and hope az the
shrine of her invalid husband. There
were tears even now III Alcia'S faithful
old eyes as she told the story. He had
been stricken with paralysis few months
after their union. Henceforth the wIfe's
role was that of nurse to a selfish, cross
grained tyrant. Although she had been a
widow now three years, the impress OF
that long martyrdom was visible still in
the sweet, chastened eyes, and in the firm
mouth telling Of the patient self-control
of the woman Of siX-and-twenty. "She
never complained to any one, never re-
preached her fathers memory. She is an
angel, nothing less" broke out Miss War
ner, dropping tears as usual on toe white
furry coat of the favOrite asleep in her
lap. But this time Give forgaVe heremo-
ton.
Lady CreWe had been called away that
afternoon to receive an unexpected guest
and the sitting had been cut short; but
the artist remained working up some de-
tails of costume until she returned later
in evening dress to hasten Alicia, fasten-
ING some crimson roses at her throat the
while. She dropped one in crossing the
room. He thought she did not see how he
picked it up and coyertly pressed it to his
Inns before restoring it. He would have
kept it had he dared. His admiration had
deepened into reverence now.
His patroness kept him long waiting
next day. When she appeared, apollo
giving with her usual grace for her delay,
there was a nervous agitation in her man
ner and the evidence of a sleepless night
in her languid eyes.
81 am Sc much of hermit that the
company of my fellOw-creatures actually
lars upon me-" she said. MY accident
must have upset my nerves. l don't
know what has come to me lately! Mr..
Give, shall you care to paint such bag
gard, weary creature as ,00k this morn
| ingS" There was a suspicion Of tears
upon her lashes as she turned from the
mirror impatiently.
you are tired, dearest" said her cou.
railways ready to pet her beloved charge
Give up the sitting this morning"
mo, mop she cried, petulantly, sit
rests me to stay here in this quiet studio,
away from my worries. l feel unnerved,
unstrung. Alicia, must travel this win
ter. We will 90 to Rome. Mr.. Give, will
you come and see us THEREOF
He flushed and then grew suddenly
grave. do not tempt me away from
work and duty, Lady Crewe. | shall have
to eXpiate this long holiday by busy
I winter"
"What hard measure you deal TO your
self Your stoicism is quite reproach
to us poor useless Sybarites. How long
must you postpone your pleasure, pray p
pleasure is very present with me
/ nOw," he answered, softly, but not lifting
/ his eyes from his work. ''It only IL were
Z Il.