Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
The Mysterious Portrait.

on the opening nlgnt OF the great art
exhibition had been as constant in their
observation-disclosures as was Mr.. Horace
Temple. the managers would have
made money out of it,
The fact was. Mr.. Temple hal strolIed
in rather lislessly that first night, but
before he had traversed many yards
in his tour of inspection his attent on
had been caught by a picture which
had so fascinated him that he found it
almost impossible to get his own con-
sent to move on and make way for
others. and in very short time he
was back again. gazing with rapt alb
sorption. The picture represented an
Italian garden. where. beneath a
dense shade of palms and ilcxes, n
ham mock was swung. in which a
lovely young girl. in a limp, white
gown. was lying at ease. her right
hand dawding with great fan. and
her left thrown up behind her head.
the loose sleeve falling back and re-
vealng beautiful. rounded arm.
One foot WAS hid in the mcshes of the
hammock. and the other, from which
the tiny slipper had slipped off ut the
heel. hung over the side IN a posture of
absolute ease aud inertia. The win to
robe. made in classic DIES ga and decor
ated with Greek border. hung over
the humu ock aud traiIed along the
dense. green grass. The details of
the picture were eXquis tlv portrayed,
Tut It's matchless charm was in the
beauty of the young girls face. which
had so marked an individuality that
Temple convinced himself at once that
1t was no creation of an artists fancy.
but faithful likeness of some hum an
being. As dav after day passed by
the picture grew into his consciousness
more and more. he got TO know every
detail of feature. form and dress even
TO the three little spots on the left arm
near the elbow, which he at first took
10 be specks on the canvas. but after
ward found were cleverly painted little
moles which must have been on the
arm of the model.
One evening when he had stood a
longer time than usual before the OBJ
iect Of his alteration. lost in thought
concerning the original of this lovely
portraturc. and wonder ne where the
artist. whose name was ven Us Carlo
Guizi, has seen and pa nted her. he
was aroused by the sIlvery strokes of
magnificent clock which stood near,
which reminded him that he must tear
h mself away from present enjoyment,
aud go home and answer a letter. The
letter was in the form of an invitation.
and this was The reply to At:
Dear Aunt Sarah--No one certainly has a
kinder or more cOnsderate female relative
than am blessed with, aud your delightful
ettcr is one more proof Of this truth. Nv
gratitude however, strong 2s u - does ROt
ena lie me to do the impossible, aud | cauROt
come down. according 10 order. and fail IN
love with your charming frieu /, for the rca-
son hat ! am in love already, and the object
Of these pr engaged all cjious Of nine lie les
Tie thermometer AMI remains in the city.
''On the Whoe, hope this Will prove not
altogether un-at sfactory 10 YOU, as | under
stand YOUR object concerning me 10 be, not 50
much that ! shall be--iu the abstr eth
SHARED aud that cousciencOusly assure you
that am.
II am not too fast bound. however. to al
NIT OF NV coming down for a cursory glance
you, so you may expect me TO stay over next
Sunday
Yours sffectionately. III. T."
When Mrs. Lcaton received this let
ter she happened to be seated near an
open window in conversation with her
most intimate ontidential friend. to
whom she proceeded to read the etter
aloud. interrupting herself with vari-
Gus complaints of the provokingness of
her favorite nephew, who in spite of
all her affecsionate indulgence of his
whims and foibles. was constantly
serving her ia this kind of style.
As lie finished reading and laid the
letter down, there was faint rustling
under the window. unregarded by the
two lad es. and young girl, who had
been sitting still! sketching the pretty
view of wood and river Wis bic from this
point collected her implements to-
gether and quickly glided away.
Mr.. Temple arrived at his aunts on
Sunday morning too late for break
fast. and when he emerged from the
dinning-rOom tete-a-tete meal with the
hostess, he was Immediately hurried of
TO church by that enterprising lady.
who had kept her carriage waiting that
she might enjoy his compromising.
''All the rest have gone" she said,
land we shall be little late. Gertrude
Sevellon walked with Tom Jerome. !"
This was the only allusion she deigned
TO make TO The young lady who had
formed the whole subject OF her letter.
Mr.. Temple had been some time in
church before he caught sight of the
familiar figure Of Mr. Tom Jerome.
aud when. with feeling OF lazy inter.
est. he leaned forward little so that
he might get glimpse OF the lady
standing next to Mr.. Jerome and sing
lug out of the same book with him, the
delicate, clean cut profile startled him
with sense of familiarity. His heart
gave n bound az he connected IL with
The face in tho picture he saw the re
scmbance. The girl wore a little close
bonnet and trim dress which lncased
b,,, charming figure in neat compact