The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-11-20

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will not be such crowd then.
An hour or so later the lady and
gentleman returned then the room was
almost deserted, except for few stray
glers here and there. It was just about
time to close the gallery.
For o few moments they stood in
silence before the painting then little
voice said 5#
"Baby want to see too, papa"
j. STOPPING down the gentleman raised
the pretty, daintily- dressed child in his
arms. After gravely regarding the
picture for second, the little one
asked:
"Iz gay mad papa?"
!" am afraid one was pet" came the
low answer, as Edwin Bennett softly
kissed the fair cheek of his little girl.
Then his gaze returned to the painting.
A stretch of yellow sands, dotted here
and there by huge boulders and piles of
snowy pebbles, against which the over
hanging cliffs looked almost black.
Gentle little baby waves ripping in to-
ward the shore, while majestic purple
hued, silver-edged clouds seemed float
ing en- masse toward the golden crimson
barre sun that flooded the sky and
water with its warm light.
In the centre of the picture, where
the beach formed o curve resembling
horseshoe, was an old boat, turned bot
tom upward some few feet off, the
figure of young man, apparently walk
ing hurridly away. Although the face
was not visible, the gazer felt that the
man suffered that the glorious sunset
was this day as naught to him. Perhaps
it was in the tightly-clasped hand the
rains of which stood out like great cords;
Or, maybe. in the mans apparent
total disregard of his surroundings
To the right of the picture was figure
of a young girl, trailing parasol in the
sand as she appeared to move slowly in
the opposite direction from her COM
panion. Only little bit of delicately-
shaped ear and mass of glossy braids
showed from beneath the shade hat, but
one conld readily believe that the pretty
girlish figure belonged in an equally
attractive face.
About half way between them, traced
upon the sands, were the words, Fame
versus Love"
els it not lovely, Edwin ?" and Mrs.
Bennett laid her hand upon her hus-
bands arm as she added
'Yet how sad it somehow seems. I
can't help feeling sorry for them. I
wish could see their faces. feel as
if I wanted to turn them round"
Clasping the little hand that rested
so confdingly upon his arm, Edwin
Bennett inwardly thanked God for the
gift of his fair young wife, as he said:
"Come dear, they are commencing to
close up. Babv's tired, too"
"Ess, mes tired. Baby wants to tiss
mamma" lisped the child, holding out
her tiny arms.
Husband and wife failed to notice a
lady who stood near, gazing at paint
ing. AS the pretty young mother
stopped down to receive her baby's
kisses, which the little one lavished on
cheeks, lips and brow, deep, yearning
look gathered in the strange ladys eyes
and she turned htstily away.
sob, Edwini" exclaimed his wife, as
they passed the silent figure in black.
Wouldn't it be nice if baby should
grow up to be q great artist like this
Miss Armstrong;"
God forbid, Annie" came the
earnest reply, followed by "let her grow
up to be true, loving woman, that is
all ask" The lady's hand frightened
its hold upon the back of settee as
the words reached her ears, but she did
not move until they were out of sight
Then lifting her veil she went and stood
before the painting that had won such
zame. Tears gathered in her eyes as
Bhe gazed, and with the words, "I'll
never look at it again, she, too, passed
out of the building. and in her own
handsome carriage was driven home.
Scon alone in her dark eyes as they
fell upon the costly works of art scat
tered in lavish profusion about her
luxuriously furnished apartments.
Hastily throwing aside her wraps, she
crossed over to mirror. A very hand