Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-17

/ SViiO w ip' Hh" Nv" p'A'
believed that it never would, for she wa'
eight and-twenty. But, somehow, cvel
since the morning when she awoke 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 a dove who
had not found her olive branch.
There is no place to dream like pict-
urc- gallery; no place like Paris for pict-
ures.
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 Won
drous interest in a small picture which
hung in small dealers gallery in which
she found herself.
1t was simple scene. A moonlit gar
den, the distance dying into underlined
shadows a fountain into which a Hebe
empticd her cup, and by the fountains
brim youth and young girl. The
moonlight kissed her face. His was not
seen. He 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 aud herself on the night when
she made that miserable mistake? For
that was Henri, aud surely that black
haired girl was not unlike herself
SIS this picture for salcf" she asked
the dealer
He shrugged his shoulders.
IL think the artist is mad" he said.
"This is the first picture any one has
wanted to buy, and he refuses to sell it.
Perhaps price sufficient will tempt him;
but if give his address the lady will re-
member my commission"
The lady promised faithfully to do so.
''It is wrctched street.-the is very
poor said the dealer, and gave her the
number written on card. "The fifth
floor," he said with shrug of his should
crs.
Lima Michel stepped into her carriage
and soon, followed by her maid, climbed
the stairs of a dingy dwelling, raped
upon the door that bore the word "Atel-
icr" upon it.
In moment man with long beard,
who held u palette in his hand, opened
the door for her, and stood regarding the
apparition of a closcly-vailcd lady attend
cd by her maid, with some surprise.
~ speak to the painter of the picture
at Monsieur said the Fraulein
Michel. "rhc 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 | must have it," said the lady.
81 am rich--anything, any price"
'T am poor" said the artist, "but it
has no price"
"Listcn, sir" said the lady. at is
more than apicturc that want--it is a
reminscence. 1t is like IA place that
I know. l beg for it. implorc you to
sell it to me-"
"Madamc," said the artist, "I see you
have heart will speak plainly. Long
ago | stood with the only woman l ever
loved, beside that fountain-a fountain
in an old garden in Munich. l 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. Ipaintcd the picture
in 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 put it upon canvas. l
know | never can again. And, Madame,
while I live, must look upon that pict-
ure. When l 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 IL shall never love any
other. So must keep her picture; I
must. You see that Madame"
And as he spoke, Lima Michel knew
Henri Klcbcr--knew him despite the
flowing beard and all the changes of
twelve long years. And as he ceased,
she threw back her vail and held both
her hands toward him.
"Henri," she sighed, "Henril Oh
Henri, do you not know me3" And then
he had claspcd 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.
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