Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-11-29

BY BERTHA BERTON.

HER LOvEBD PORTRAIT.
by BERTHA BERTON.
In Its arrangements refined taste, that
taste woman's, else the superb gera
NUNS which stood In pots on the low,
broad window-sill, would scarcely have
be en- there, and q fauciful little work
basket with its feminine belongings
upon the tiny stand would doubtless
have made way for . we'll. filled cigar.
holder. Presumably, and although
mon may admire flowers, they rarely
" ish to care for them, SO the articles
bespoke womAn's presence /; and the
pure muslin curtains vt the windows,
the delicate fern. leaf carpet, the terry
covered chAirs and OUNCE Of the same
rich tint, gave an air of freshness that
was restful TO the eye, even II 1t was up
long flights Of stairs.
But that afternoon the rmometer
marked ninety degrees in the shade,
and Marian Arlington took up broad
palm Leaf fan, and used 1t vigorous
~; then she drew from her pocket =
handkerchief and wiped her
brow.
How could she work when the mer-
curry was still rising? when the air that
was waited through the easements
seemed to scorch her cheeks and she
left her easel, and throwing herself in
to the easy. chair by the window,
leaued her Lead YEARLY upon her
hand.
She could not rest, however, for the
unfinished work upon the easel confront
ed her, and after . few MON ents she
resumed her brush.
Artists are proverbially poor. and
Marian Arlington was no exception. A
delicate girl and unaccustomed to toll,
she had learned TO finish photographs
merely because she fancied the work
and without . thought Of what 1t was
destined to become to her but, thrown
upon her own resources by the death
OF her father, 1t presented q possible
means of subsistence, and she sought
the artist who had given her instruc'
ton.
He would employ her, but she would
need something moro certain, more lu'
crative, and Victor DenhOlm advised
her TO learn the art Of enlarginR pic
lures.
Marian Arlington accepted his ad.
vice, and whom she had gained the re-
Quisite know ledge she decided to try
her fortune elsewhere 80, going to the
city of B., she opened small studio.
The little room WAS really studio, 70.
ception room, chamber, all combined
but of that her patrons knew nothing.
They saw only . dimiuutive room with
one corner devoted to an easel, the re-
mainder a. cozy and atti active ~ II
WAS In the power Of the young artist to
make 1t with her limited resources.
But thus far abe had not bean sue
cessful; there were 90 many artists, 90
many with name aud fame alread y
established Still, ~ Marian Arlington
sat At her easel, no one would have
she commended.
. glow In her violet-blue eyes thai
would have given an impression OF
happiness when, alas 1t was quite the
reverse. Happiness and contentmen'
fail to come in the train OF poverty
and notwithstanding her artistic tast<
Marian was In sore need.
The exhorb.tant rent which was OK
torted for tho small studio by an un
feeling landlord would soon be due
she could net command half the sum
or see any likelihood Of obtaining 1t.
A gloomy prospect she was nervous
and discouraged, and throwing dowr
her pencil, she prepared for walk
but just rs she WAS starting lad,
called.
She brought work, and she gave min
ute directions regarding Its execution
to which Marian listened without ever
looking Mt the card There WAS little Il
interest her in strange faces, and afte
her frugal supper was eaten she retired
but the heat was almost intOlerable
thoughts OF her loneliness and friendless
ness kept intruding upon her mind, ant
she slept but little.
With the dawn she arose, and afte
her morning meal, after her studio hat
been put In order, she seated herself T.
her work.
But when the card WAS drawn from
its wrapper Marian Arlington sat ant
gazed upon 1t ~ II bereft Of her senses
while every vostige of color left he
face for there, in all Its perfectness O
feature, WAS the picture OF her lover
who was believed to be dead.
or her choicest treasures, locke
that she wore held In Its clasp the sam
dear face.
Who WAS the lady who had brough
the card ? she was young and besut
full. What right bad she TO Pal Limo
mans portrait But perhaps she wa
. relative who desired the picture rs
family treasure yet how could sh
undertake tho work 1t would awake
painful memories, and Marian AIRING
ton hesitated long before she began he
task
The lover she mourned ~ dead ha
been absent for two years.
The junior membe of firm Of in
porters, he had gone abroad on bushes
connected with their house, and he ha
never returned. An investigation II
sti tuted by the firm, after waitin
long and vainly for tidings OF the
m issing partner, bad failed to solve tt
mystery.
He had arranged the business fl
which he went !; 1t was supposed b
the parties with whom 1t was tran
acted, that ho had sailed for home
bat - nothing definite could be lear
ed, 1t was feared that there had bee
foul play, and the dreadful uncertaint
for q time seemed likely to affect Nj
RAMS reason.
But troubles never como singly, y
said. and the illness and eubsequer
death OF her father served to divert b.
mind from her own great less. Ate
wards, the struggle for life-for . sui
sistcnce, had, perhaps, been blessin
in disguise, since 1t gave the sad hear
cd girl little time for unavailing grief
She had accepted, - an indisputab
fact tho supposition regarding PA
ILindman, and bad sohooled her hea
Ito submission, but the sight of his pi
Iture unnorv+d her.
| flor oil thara would h0 n mela,