Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-21
GALES and Sketches.
THE ORIGINAL.
CONTINUED from Yesterday
BIZ F. W. R..

once recognized, from his description, to be
the one for whom she was waiting. He
advanced straight up the hall and took
up mis- accustomed place, and his face
beamed with a new light as his eyes wan
dered over the familiar features. Her
heart beat strongly and quickly as she
watched him, and great wave of tender
ness and pity overcame her as she looked
at his noble head and truthful eyes, and
his worn and tattered clothes. A beauti
full picture in a miserable frame. She
longed to rush out to him, TO say to him :
"Here is the original. Is it as worthy
being loved as the counterfeit If so
love the original !" but her heart misgave
her, as she thought ii he ever saw her he
might recoil, as from a broken Illusion.
She knew that she must fall far short of
the ideal he worshipped. But again, and
again the thought came to her. how price
less such love would be. Tears blinded
her ewes and she escaped by private en-
trance.
Shortly after this the artist who painted
the portrait was surprised one day by re
ceiving a visit from Norton Hasbrook at
his studio, He entered quietly, and after
asking il he was the one wao painted the
portrait No. SO, in the art museum. said
with shade of anxiety in his voice:
"Is it for saiee"
The artist answered that it was not. A
deep shadow settled upon the pale feat
ures. and he said with sigh:
81 feared as much. and vet will give
all have in the world for it. Would no
sum tempt you?
well, if any one should offer me a
thousand dollars should not feel that |
could afford to keep it,"
Zone thousand dollarsp' repeated the
young man sadly, land have but two
hundred in the world" But suddenly
becoming more hopeful, he said:
Twill you hold it for me ? can earn it.
1t will take some time" he said, YEARLY,
"but if you only would !"
Much fattered by such delicate COM
pliment the artist agreed to hold it for
him until he could save thousand dol
lars, not thinking he would ever come for
it. and Norton went away with his feeling
of ownership stronger than ever.
When Miss Stockton next saw the artist,
and was informed of the circumstance,
she went to her room and shut herself up
with her thoughts for hours. Such self
sacrifice! such endurance OF abject power
ty and privation and for what? Simply to
possess her portrait. And he had never
seen her, nor knew she lived. It touched
her to the heart. She resolved that il the
possession of the portrait could make him
any happier, he should wait no longer.
and. sending tor the painter, she presented
him with her check for $1,000 and directed
him to have it placed in Norton's misera-
BILE little garnet while he was away at
work.
1t was done, though it nearly filled the
side of the room, and looked strangely
out of place. Peculiar quarters in which
to find one of the most noted works OF
the day by one of the most successful
artists.
1t was dark and cold when Norton left
the store that day. The snow was falling,
and the chilling wind swept through his
poor clothes as though they had been It's
sue paper He wore no overcoat, be-
cause he would not spare the money to
buy il. Feeling his way up the rlckety
stairs, he entered the dark, cherries
room, and lying down on the little iron
bed, and covering himself with the blan-
ket to keep warm, he pulled from his
pocket two crackers and piece of cheese,
which he had bought on his way home.
and ate his miserable supper. 1t was so
dark he could hardly see across the room,
but his eye caught the CLEAN of something
golden on the opposite wall. and wonder
ing what it was. he got up and lighted his
candle. When the feeble flame flickered
up, and shone upon "his picture" he stood
transfixed with wonder. He thought 1t
must be freak of his imagination. and
he walked over and touched the beautiful
face, and tn. n, overcome by his emotions,
he kissed it again and again. He did not
stop to ask himself how it came there ;
he on " knew he had realized his dreams,
and the picture was his. The garnet was
no longer cold and cherries. There was
warmth and light shining from her eyes
which made of the cold, dead walls para
disc which he would not have exchanged
for the handsomest residence. No more
solitude, no more longing for Sunday to
come that he might 60 to the art gallery,
no more pinching penury in order to get
money tor the picture. 1t was there, it
was his; but then his heart misgave him
as he thought of his titesome living in
such miserable quarters. and subject to
| ure duu Tulu anu nc TtstiNeu 10 nave
better room for the sake of his portrait,
Atterward. in thinking it over, he came
TO the conclusion that the artist, taking
pity on him, had sent the picture in ad-
vance of the payment, and accordingly
went to him next day, and offered him all
the money he had saved. saving he
would pay the rest as fast as he could
earn it; but to his great surprise, the
artist refused the money, told him the
picture was his, and all paid for, but he
was deaf to all entreaties in regard to the
name of the giver. as he had been in
structed to be, and poor Norton wen
away in more of q maze than ever.
Who could his unknown benefactor be
At any rate he was profoundly grateful
Miss Stockton now missed his visits tC
the gallery. where she had often gone
and concealed by the friendly portiere
watched his intent face. She knew now
that she loved him with all her heart A
first she felt an intense pity for him aut
that was the first step, then his great low,
for the portrait, and thus in measure. fo
herself. famed the flame. tor love beget
love. She thought she understood hin
at his real worth; saw through the tat
tered husk and perceived theSsweet kerne
within. She knew that his was noble
soul. above thirst for money. and onl,
to be Won by a love equalling his own.