The examiner., 1886-01-02
THE ARTISTS STORY.

larged, she had saved it from being lost, and was now here with the picture.
 "The perfe ctly cut mouth could clearly trace now, and the mirthful eyes, as for a moment my young lady smiles at Mis- chief but again her face assumes that far 1 away expression.
 | 'sWell, I took the order for the picture she had brought, and which she laid in my hand, with a long, loving look, as though 10th to part with it, for her brother had died recently and it was her one little treasure.
 sFShe came often after that and by de- | grees learned her sad story.
 'Being an only daughter, and having but one brother, @ wealth of affection had been bestowed upon these children by their parents. When Alma Hastings Ghis was the young lady's name) was in her 18th year, her parents determined to cross the ocean and let Alma finish her musical ed u- cation there. MT. Hastings settled his business affairs in New York, and, with wife and children, started over to remain a couple of years. The vessel in which they sailed sprung aleak and was swept away by a fierce storm. Alma and her brother were saved and were taken on board another vessel.
 ssThe pitiless sea had deprived the chil- dren of both parents. They came to this place. where the young girl thought she would carry out her mothers wishes in re- gard to music, and also thinking it would better the health of her idolized brother
 s.Four years after coming here, and just a few months before the day she.made her appearance in my studio, her brother Paul died, leaving her without any near friend.
 "Can you wonder that coming in contact with this sweet, sad girl day after day my heart went out to her?
 cI,C her to become my wife, but she firmly though sorrowfully refused, and Ralph she disappeared from my sight the very day told her of my love.
 "I hunted the city over for her, but no trace could find. Iris needless to say my picture took the prize, but I longed for the beautiful original No, Ralph, see you are looking rather scared since my wife came in, but Alma is the only one who does not appear to be jealous of her, for she shows that had it not been for the influence of that beautiful girl, she would not have had as good husband. Eh, my dear 2"
 "No would not: but you are contin- ually telling some one of your baby pic ture," says Mrs. Rossi, with loving little pat on the shoulder, as she passes him.
 "And did you give up the search for the girl?'-thiS from Ralph in low voice, heard only by his friend.
 "Bless your heart, no. | thought I would hunt her up and offer her broth erly affection if I could be nothing else to her. Well, I searched every possible place for her, and at last in despair went to her old home in New York. There, after making numerous inquiries, found her staying with an old schoolmate ot hers.
 Although went frequently to see her, I oy0 inir bn1. off deed I did not repeat my proposal, so as- sured of the fact had I become and when l took the trembling little hand in mine to offer a brothers love she told me it could not be. could not tear myself away from the city which contained my darling, and there I stayed"
 ''Yes, suppose you remained until Mrs. Rossi here appeared upon the scene. I heard from some of the boys you got your wife in New York"
 'Let me make you acquainted with the baby whose history you have become so excited over," says MT. Rossi, bringing Mrs Rossi toward Ralph.
 sIs 1t possible Well, am surprised. How did you manage it old fellow ?'
 "I stayed on and on and worried that girl until she did marry me although she said she loved me when I asked her if she would take me as her brother and that she had loved me ever since found her at her friends You see my good qualities proved too much for her, and she had to come over to my side. There is no ac- counting for a girls taste. Pve wondered many a time about it.'
 s'And so you married your ideal baby and ideal girl. Well, what do you think of her now ?''
 'sNow can say:
 |" Old time has dimmed the luster of her eye
 that brightly shone, And her voice has lost the sweetness of it's girl
 hoods silvery tone, But her heart is still cheerful as in early
 days of life, And as fondly as prized my bride love my
 dear old wife