Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-03-26

t N"iiC W HtIf anu HOW snc
oeneYed that it never would, for she was
eight-and-twenty. But, somehow, ever
since the morning when she awokc and
found that her cousin Henri was gone,
her memories Of him had grown more
sweet and tender with every year
she travelled two years and heard moth
ing Of her Cousin Henri, and at last
found herself in Paris, at the hight of its
gay season, and there rested dove who
had not found her olive branch.
There is no place to dream like pict-
ure-gallery; no place like Paris for pict-
urcs
Lima Michel spent many hours with
her eyes fixed on painted faces that she
never saw, for the living face that haunt
ed her; but one day She awoke to a won
drous interest in small picture which
hung in small dealers gallery in which
She found herself.
1t was a simple scene. A moonlit gar
den, the distance dying into underlined
shadows, a fountain into which Hebc
emptied her cup, and by the fountains
brim a youth and young girl. The
moonlight kissed her face. His was not
seen. lie bent toward her, lover-like.
His hand touched hers, and hers rested
on one Of the little posts that held an en-
circling chain about the fountain. These
were crowned with lilies, and as she
looked closer, she saw that one had a
broken leaf
1t was the garden of her grandfather's
old house at Munich. And this was
more than chance. Was there such a
thing as magic, or had some artist watch
ed Henri and herself on the night when
she made that miserable mistakel For
that was Henri, and surely that black
haired girl was not unlike herself.
is this picture for sale!" she asked
the dealer.
He shrugged his shoulders.
II think the artist is mad," he said.
This is the first picture any one has
wanted to buy, and lie refuses to sell it.
Perhaps price sufficient will tempt him
but if give his address the lady will re-
member my commissionW
I
lae lady promised faithfully to do so.
1t is wretched street.-the is very
poor, said the dealer, and gave her tn,
number written on card. "The fifth
tlogr'o he said with a shrug of his should
Una Michel stepped into her carriage
ana soon, followed by her maid, climbed
-. - .S!gs Of a dingy dwelling, raped
s'l'5n 5he d0or-tnav bore the word '4Atel
ierp upon it.
In amoment a man with a long beard,
who held palette in his hand, opened
the door for her, and stood regarding the
apparition of a closely vailed lady attend
ed by her maid, with some surprise.
q speak to the painter of the picture
at Monsieur-s," said the Fraulein
Michel. 'The garden and fountain. ]
desire to purchase it at any price"
Madame" replied the artist, 81 re-
gret to say that picture is not to be sold. "
But l must have it., said the lady.
81 am rich-anything, any price"
Il am poor" said the artist, ''but it
has no price"
Listen, sir" said the lady. cit is
more than picture that want-it is a
reminiscence. 1t is like "a place that
know. beg for it. implore you to
sell it to me-"
Madame" said the artist, 81 see you
have heart l will speak plainly. Long
ago | stood with the only woman ever
loved, beside that Fountain fountain
in an old garden in Munich | was a
young idiot. did not even know my
own heart; but know it now. have
known it for years. One day the memory
Of the spot and of the hour returned to
me as if by magic Ipainted the picture
in a few hours. Then again she stood
before me. saw the moonlight on her
face. | saw her white hand lying in
mine. | saw the whole picture Never
before could l put it upon canvas.
know never can again. And Madame,
while live, | must look upon that pict-
ure. When die, | must cast my last
glance upon it. | shall never see her
again. Long since she has become the
wife of some one she loves well, no
doubt; but 1 i shall never love any
other. So must keep her picture; |
must, You see that, Madame"
And as he spoke, Lima Michel knew
Henri Kleber-knew him despite the
flowing beard and all the changes of
t'selye long years. And as he ceased,
she thfew back her vail and held both
her hands toward him.
Henri" she sighed, 'Henri! Oh
Henri, do you not know me?" And then
he had clasped her in his arms, and she
lay sobbing on his bosom.
When they stood beside the fountain
IN the old garden at Munich again, they
were man and wife.
Getting Rid of Bill Collectors.