Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-29
, TIE PORTRAIT.

the managers would have made money
out of IL. sE
The fact was, Mr.. Temple had strolled
in rather listlessly that first night but be-
fore he had traVersed many yards IN his
tour of inspection his attention had been
caught by picture which had SO fascin-
ated him that he found it almost impos-
sible TO get his own consent to move ON
and make way for others, and in q very
short time he was back again, gazing |
with rapt absorption. The picture repre-
scented an Italian garden, where, beneath |
dense shade of palms and ilexes, ham,
mock was swung. in which a lovely |
young girl, in limp. white gown, was
lying ut ease, her right hand ,dawdiing
with a great fan, and her iett
thrown up behind her head, the loose
sleeve falling back and revealing beau
tiful. rounded arm. One foot was hid
in the meshes of the hammock, and the
other, from which the tiny slipper had
slipped off at the heel. hUng over the
side in o posture Of absolute ease and IN
ertin. The white robe, made i'll classic
design and decorated with a Greek
border, hung over the hammock side and
trailetf along the dense, green grass. The
details of the picture were exquislteiy
portrayed, but its matchless charm was
in the beauty of the young girls face.
which had so marked an individuality
that Temple convinced himself at once
that il was no creation OF an artists
fancy, but faithful likeness Of some
living human being. AS day after day
passed by and the picture grew into his
consciousness more and more, he got 10
know every detail of feature, form ana
dress. even to the three little spots on the
left arm near the elbow, which he at first
took to be specks on the canvas, but
afterward found were three cleverly
painted little moles which must have
| been on the arm of the model.
One evening when he had stood
longer time than usual before the object
of his alteration, lost in thought concern
ing the original Of this lovely portraiture,
and wondering where the artist, whose
name was given as Carlo Guizi, had seen
and nainted her, lie was aroused by the
silvcry strokes of magnificent clock
which stood near, which reminded him
that he must tear himself away from
present enjoyment, and go home and an
swer a letter. The letter was in the form
of an invitation, and this was reply
to it:
DEAR AUNT SARAH No one GER
tainlv has kinder or more considerate
female relative than am blessed with,
and your delightful letter Is one more
proof of this truth Ny gratitude, how
ever. strong as it is. does not enable me
to do the impossible, and cannot come
down, according to orders, and fall IN
love with your charming friend. for the
reason that am in love already, and the
object of these pre-engaged affections OF
mine defies the thermometer and remain!
in the city.
ION the whole, hope this will prove
, not altogether unsatisfactory to you, rs
understand your object concerning me Il
be. not SC much that ] shall be--n TIL
abstract-ensnared. and that ] consclen
tiously assure You that am.
IL am not toe fast bound, however, T.
= admit of my coming down for cursor.
glance ut you, so you may expect me t
8 stay over next Sunday.
|
Z When Mrs. Leaton received this lette
a she happened to be seated near an ope
:. window in conversation with her mos
y intimate confidential friend, to whom sh
: proceeded to read the letter aloud, i1tel
/, ruDtinc herself with various complaint
J. of the provollingness of her favorlt
nephew. who. in spite Of allhcr affection
ate INDULGENCE of his whirls and foihle
u was constantly serving her in this kin
4 of style.
4 AS she finished reading and laid &
q letter down, there was q faint rustlin
a under the window, unregarded by Il
two ladies, and young girl, VINO ia
beer sitting very still sketchinS the pref
c: view of wood and river visible from III
n point. collected her implements togeth
I; and quickly glded away.
:, Mr.. Temple arrived at his aunt's
D. Sunday morning too late for the rrcSlli
. breakfast, and when he emerged fro
a tho dining room after his tetc-a-tete me
& with the hostess, he was immediate
. hurried off to church by that enterpr
), ing lady. who had kept her carriage wa
:, ing that she might enjoy his companlo
/ ship. a. o.
IAN the rest have gone" she sal
land we shall be q little late. Gertru
Sevcllon walked with Tom jerome
/, This was the only allusion Sic deigned
s. make to the young lady who had form
/. the whole subject Of her letter.
e Mr.. Temple had been some time
" church before he caught sight OF
" familiar figure of Mr.. Tom Jerome, a
when, with n feeling OF lazy interest,
leaned forward little so that lie mig
=, Get a glimpse OF tho lady standing NC
10 TO tir. Jerome and singing out ct I
-, came book v IN him, the delicate. Gle
~ cut profile s.artled him with sense
familiarity. His heart gave bound
he connect 4 it with the face III
picture and NV the resemblance. /
i, Girl wore a tile close bonHet and IT
dress. whicl incased her charming iiS'
in neat cor actness-but face and hS'
were the ssne.
W. When the service YVES ended he lSaI
forward and whispered to Lis aunt;
Make Tom Jerome go home W
De- YOU and let me walk ho:ne with d
Sevellon."
This was q coming 10 tcT:rs that d
'F' Lesion highly appreciated, though