The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-01-03
A LEGEND.

Many years ago, in the little town
of bort, in Germany, were two large
unpaintcd, dreary-looking houses,
standing directly opposite each other.
One was the home of the aged Her
mann Desseldorf and his gentle
daughter, Bertha The neighboring
dwelling was occupied by one JAG
ques Lambert, painter by profess
sion, an Italian by birth, very retir-
ing in his manner. His only com
panion was poor, half-wittcd lad,
Paul Laroni. No one knew any
thing of their previous history, un-
less il might be Hermann Dessel-
dorf and his lovely daughter, for
Bertha Desscldorf, the belle of the |
whole village, was his afiianced
bride.
About this time came news of a
great exhibition to be held at the
neighboring city of Antwerp, where
he who produced the finest repre-
sentation of the death and Suffer
ings of Our Savior" to be placed in
the cathedral, should receive a prize
of great value.
Jacques Lambert determined to
win the prize. Closely he applied
to the task, but as day by day passed
each one bringing nearer the exhi-
bition, he became almost despairing;
for as yet he had been able 70 create
on the canvas no countenance he
deemed a worthy likeness to our
Savior. Bertha strove to win him
from his project. One day as she
stood by bis side looking down at
Paul, as he sat gazing up into her
face with his beautiful eyes; his long
golden curls falling ON each side of
a face Of almost womanly sweetness
and perfect innocence, she suddenly
exclaimed:
Take Paul for a model"
Quickly Jacques glanced at the
face Of the unfortunate, and, wildly
exclaiming, "Why did l not think
of that myselfr he fell back in his
chair, for the moment motionless.
After that he came in every day
for a moment to see her, but always
bade her not to come to him until
his picture was finished, for nothing
now must disturb him from his
work.
He daily grew pale and thin, and
his wild, dark eyes burned with a
strange fire. All avoided him as
: possible; and one more bold than
, the rest alleged that one night,
f crouched under the window, led by
curiosity, he heard cries and groans
| issue from within.
Poor Paul Laroni was missing,
, too, and Jacques offered a liberal re-
ward to any4 one who would bring
him back. A party headed by Her
mann Desseldcrf secured the ada
cent forests and even dragged the
: river, but found no trace save one OF
the boys silk handkerchiefs, which
they found near the river bank.
: Bertha, in her anxiety for her
e lover, watched his studio window
G hour by hour. Finally, one day he
omitted his usual visit to her, and
, fearing that he might be i'll she ven
- tured TO disobey his command, and,
t entering the house softly, she crept
e to his studio door. Suddenly a low
wall, full of human agony, smote
: her ear, and then, Immediately fol.
G lowing it she heard a wild laugh and
e the voice of Jacques exclaiming:
= "The very expression! Obi few
more such and my work will be
5 complete y
: Cautiously she lifted herself to
l her knees and peered through the
| keyhole A moment thus; then
V with piercing shrek, she fell back
insensible.
t Jacques came hastily out, terror
e impressed on his countenance, and
l locking the door behind him bore