Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-13

and with but few words Of any kind,
Clement and his child were taken to bis
father's heart and home. Each felt that
il was not for long, but 1t was pesce-
ful and gentle pause before the part
ing, Clement watched, as day after
day be lost little Of his poor remain
ing strength, how the child grew and
Hourished like 8 happily transplanted
flower, and he saw how she had won
her way at once into the warmest niche
of bis fathers heart. She made the
quiet rooms gay with her innocent
laughter; she had thousand pretty,
winning ways and tricks Of loving. A
band.to-mouth struggle for existence
had given her docility and patience
and she was born with sunny, loving
heart. Louis Dumaresq forgot the
weary years between at times, and al
most fancied that this was his own lit
tie daughter--Gemma's daughter. His
work was light now, for he had q pur-
pose in it. His money went TO buy
comforts for Clement pretty frocks,
toys, trinkets for the little one. She
never found him cold or stern he had
not q word Of repression for her ; he
had nothing but gentle looks and caress-
ing tones--the proper nourishment tor
her sensitive, tender little soul. Ii was
Clement who was quiet and silent now
his days Of storm and sunshine were
over; be waited calmly, and felt only
tired. lie had done little with his gift
of genius, but be could scarcely regret
it be was too languid for regrets.
Only one last work he had set himself
TO do, and for that he braced all that
was left him Of energy, and forced his
weary spirits to his secret task. When
it was done and be put down his brush,
be said; "Now can rest; there's
nothing left to do"
That evening Dumaresq found his lit
tie Claudia waiting on the landing for
him, trembling with eagerness, which
quIyered all through her tinely-strung
frame. She seized his hand.
"Oh, I've been listening and waiting
for you so long thought you would
never come There's surprise for
you in there-father's surprise-and
I've never told. l said never would
till it was done. Come, come, let me
show it to you "
lie followed her as she pulled him in
with all her little strength, hurrying bis
steps. lie looked first, as he always
did now, with anxious glsnces at his
son, who was lying back on the sofa
with his arms clasped behind his head.
1t gave him pang to see how every day
left him whittier, thinner, more brilliant
eyed. There were surely tears, too,
behind the dropping lids. But Claudia
drew his attention away. " Look up
she cried, "oyer there. Not at father 4;
the surprise is there " And her little
finger pointed above the mantelpiece
where the Claude had hung, where the
frame still hung, but inclosing no long
er the spoilt landscape with its wrecked
beauty. The frame held now little
wistful face surrounded by mass of
curls. an oval face with soft, deep, ten
der eyes, and halfopen, half-smiling
mouth.
4" element !" his father said, AMI no
more his voice choked, and be put his
hand over his eyes. Claudia pulled at
the other, crying in disappointed tones
Don't you like it? Aren't you
pleased? It's me, your little Claudia.
I've kept the secret to surprise you.
Fathers painted me little every day,
and I've sat so stiff. Dent you like me
there, instead Of the poor, pretty picture
father spoilt when he was naughty, and
he was so sorry about? Don't you like
il, grandfather?
lie stopped and kissed her.
" Yes, yes, my little Claudia; so
much | can not talk about it. 1t is the
sweetest picture in the world"
He left the child, who turned well
pleased to her doll, and sat down be-
side Clement, putting his arm half way
round his shoulders, thus half em-
bracing him.
81 could not bear to see it always
like that" the son whispered " it was
too hateful reminder. thought,
faDcied, if | could put her there instead,
you would be pleased. Claudia instead
of Claude" he added, with a curious
little smile. "Will il do instead,
father"
"God bless you, boy! You've made
me very happy, and better days are
coming-yOu can paint still. You'll
make man yet"
He did not see the silent shake OF the
head. Clement said nothing but he
knew that the shadow was deepening
that his brush was laid down forever
that the rest he wanted was close at
hand.
~ have made it all up," be said to
himself with weary satisfaction; 81
leave him Claudia"