The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-04-07

d
and beautiful. He knew II such person
lived, she would havea grand and noble
soul, ADD when at last he reluctantly
left the hall. il was with Arm determine
,ioa TO sometims own thai pictnre. In
fact. he already felt kind OF ownership
In il, aud Was rather Indignant when 9th
ers stopped 10 gaze at it
The next morning he startled his em-
ployer by asking for an increase in his
wages, which, after soms debate, Vas grant
ed, as be was SO Trustworthy and efficient
From this day hslived tho life Of miser'
stinting himself in every way. and barely
allowing himself enough to eat But
when he returned from the gallery on Sun
days and counted his little savings. be
felt repaid, only II was 30 slow, and IL
seemed 30 long TO wait.
The Thursday following the first Sun
day vas q holiday. and be spent II oil before
.'his picture as be nov called il. He
loved IL, and 10 him IL was living, breath
ing being. 10 his Imagination he com
muned with her, told her bis noblest
thoughts. bis high aspiration, and forgot
for the time. his disgrace.
Time passed on, Nod 90 constant Wa
be in his devotion that people began to
know him, and to remark him, for on
certain days he was always to be seen at
his post.
The fact came TO the notice Of the ar
tist. who painted the picture. and be, in
turn, conveyed it 70 the ear Of the original,
as delicate compliments to his skill and
her beauty.
Miss Louise Stockton was certainly
beautiful. and her portrait did not fattei
her. She had allowed II to be painted d
the request Of her friends, and IL had been
such signal success from an artistic point
OF view that the artist was permitted tc
hang ii in the art museum. Miss Stock
ton, besides being remarkably beautiful,
was an orphan with large fortune and
Of one OF the best families. Judge yenr
self whether men offered their hands and
hearts; but these very facts
rendered her deaf to all offers
She had perfect horror Of being sought
for her money and longed for heart thai
she could trust and believe in, one upor
which she could lay the whole length and
breadth OF her love with no fear Of its tir-
ing OF the sweet burden. So she had rath
er Stunned men and devoted her time te
deeds of charity, and her unostentatiouI
generosity was blessed by many fireside
But when the artist told her OF the strang,
young man, she felt an instant desire
which was not curiosity, to see him, bu
she did not wish TO be seen; this was ar
ranged by the painter, who gained per
mission for her to use an unoccupied room
leading off the main hall, and in full view
OF her picture. A portiere hung at thu
entrances to this room. and the following
Sunday she took up her station behind
It, so that she could see without being
seen.
She had not been long in her position
when she saw man enter, whom she al
one recognized, from his description, tc
be the one for whom she was waiting. HI
advanced straight up the hall and took ur
his accustomed place, and bis face beamed
with new light as his eyes wandered ov
or the familiar features. Her heart beal
strongly and quickly as she watched him,
and great wave Of tenderness and pity
overcame her as she looked ct his noble
head and truthful eyes and his worn and
tattered clothes. beautiful picture in
a miserable frame. She longed to rust
out TO him, to say to him Here is thu
original, is it as worthy being loved as tht
counterfeit II so, love the original bu
her heart misgave her, as she thought II h'
ever saw her be might recoil, as from
broken illusion. She knew she must fal
far short OF the ideal be worshipped. Bu
again, and again the thought came to her
how priceless such love would be. Tear
blinded her eyes and she escaped by I
private entrance.
Shortly after this the artist who painted
the portrait was surprised one day by re-
ceiyiug visit from Norton Hasbrook .
his studio. He entered quietly, snt
after asking il be Was the one who paint
ed the portrait No 9S. in the art muse
nm, said with shade Of anxiety In hi
voice.
Is it for sslel
The artist answered that II was not. 4
deep shadow settled upon the pale fen
lures. and he said with sigh:
feared as much, and yet will give al
/ have In the world fori il. Would no sun
tempt you?
Well. If any one should offer me thou
sand dollars should not feel that coult
afford 10 keep 1t.
One thousand dollars! repeated tn
young man sadly. and l have but two hun
dred in the world But snddenly becom
ing more hopeful, be said:
Will you hold IL for me? ] can earn i
| n uiiI tske some time. he said wearily
but IL you only wouldl
Much fsttered by such delicate com
pliment. the artist agreed to hold II 70
him until he could save . thousand dol
lars, not thinking he would eve
come for il. and Norton went away Wit
his feeling Of ownership stronger tha
ever.
When Miss Stockton next saw the artist
and was informed Of the circumstance. sh
went TO her room and shut herself q
with her thoughts for hours Such sci
sacrificed such endurance Of sbject povel
ty and privationl and for whst1 Simpl