Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-08-23

4
when in his immediate, society Her voios
took instinctiyely softer and more musical
tone; she showered her glances upon him.
dazzling and prismatic as the rays from her
diamonds; she seemed determined to capti-
vate him without the tedious process of a
siege. And, in truth, he must have been an
unimpressible man that could steel himself
against the influence of a woman who salts
fed every critical sense, who piqued all his
pride, who stimulated all that was most
manly in his nature, and without apparent
effort filed his bosom with an exquisite in
toxication.
The music commenced under Irene's direc-
ton. There were piano solos that were not
tedious-full Of melody and feeling, and with
few of the pyrotechnical displays which are
too common in modern virtuoso-playing;
vocal duets and quertets from the Italian
operas, and from German masterpieces; and
solos, if not equal to the efforts Of profess
sional singers, highly creditabe TO amateurs,
to say the least. The auditors were enthu-
siastic in praise. Even George, who came In
late, declared the music @Vewy good, upon
my soul--surpwizinglY goods
Oakhurst was listening to Irene with a
pleased smile on his face, when Mr.. Norcross
"You are proficient in more than one art |
see. You paint as well as though you knew
nothing of music, and yet you sing like a
man who Las made it an exclusive study"
Oakhurst simply bowed.
Show do you come on with the picturefi
Mr. Norcross continued.
"Very well, / believe
"My dear Sir, make haste and finish it.r
al thought you were not in hurry
aNot in the least, my friend but when you
get that finished, you can paint others, which
can probably dispose of for you"
"You are very kind"
al am a business man, said Norcross, in q
lower tone, at which Irene withdrew. SThe
arts fare badly in time of money panic, and
all the pictures you can sell now will be clear
gain"
"Are there signs of a panicl"
"Dccidedly; the rates Of interest are adj
vancing daily, and no one knows where il
will end Unless there is some relief in the
market by Western rsmittances, the distress
will be widespread and severe"
81 am obliged to you for the hint / hays
two or three pictures nearly done.@
II will look at them in a day or two, and
Try 10 find you purchasers"
Oakhurst expressed his thanks, warmly,
and then walked toward Mrs. Norcross, who
was sitting alone at that moment.
"There is no knowing what Irene may dos
thought Norcross; ~ have never seen her
when she appeared so much in earnest-in-
tatuated like candle-fly. hope she won't
be fool enough to marry n man without
money. These artists are poor sheep; they
have to be taken care of like so many child
rem. At all events, it won't cost much to
keep him at work for the present Mean
while she may change her mind"
Oakhurst was soon engaged in conversation
with Mrs Norcross. She had too much del
icacy to fatter him upon his singing, but
naturally turned the current toward his art
Without depreciating his efforts or the ex-
ample of deservdly eminent American
painters, she spoke with more emphasis OF
the acknowledged masters; and as she dwelt
with unaffected enthusiasm upon the delight
she had received from their immortal works,
his old desire to visit Europe came upon him
with redoubled force There was a
calm strength in her thoughts and man
ner that moved him strangely. He saw
in new light his thoughtcss devotion
to pleasure, and especially the fool
ish fascination into which he had been led by
woman whom he could not marry and
ought not to love. Mrs Norcross did not ex-
hort, nor even advise; least of all did she al
Jude to her sister-in-law. Hers was only the
influence of truth-of broad ideas of life and
its nobest ends presented with simplicity and
n womanly tact above all art 1t seemed to
Oakhurst the voice of an angel that he heard,
so promptly did his conscience respond. He
listened with heightened color and tense
nerves; the delicious languor of amatory
music, and the delrium he had felt while I'M
der the spell of Irene's beauty passed away
1t seemed TO him that he was lifted into q
higher plane, whence he saw before him the
straight path of duty, leading away from the
tempting gardens of pleasure-where he re-
cognized immutable principles, and became
conscious that his true affinties were not
with those who came in contact only with his
sensuous nature. He had never understood
himself until now.
A long meditation, the reader thinks; but,
in reality, it was only an electric current,
awakening a series Of related thoughts; as a
flash of lightning at night illumines at once a
crowd of objects in a landscape. which the
mind perceives but cannot follow in detail
When, at length, Oakhurst looked up, he
was astonished to find the room silent, and
himself with his companions in the focus of
all eyes, Irene looked on with curiosity in
which there was perhaps shade of appre-
hension. Palette relieved the momentary
embarrassment by walking toward his
friend with meaning glance, and taking a
seat near Mrs. NorcroSs.
81 can't allow this" said Palette. "You
have had your share Of Mrs. Norcross' time
1t is my turn. Besides, you will forget it all
when you cross the room"
"Trust me, shall never forget" said Oak
hurst, with a marked emphasis and CRATE
full look toward the lovely widow.
whats this! What's thisp said Palette,
rapidly "Insatiate trifier, could not one
sufficep
"Oh, we understand each other perfectly"
said Mrs Norcross, in a placid tone.
"You do, ehl l should have interrupted
you sooner 1t might have saved my peace
of mind, and perhaps relieved some other
anxieties | have witnessed. But go now"
Oakhurst turned away with smile.
Irene at once proposed duet to conclude
the entertainment--Rossin Mira blanca
luna-a piece for which she had reserved her
force, and in which she could display the best
qualities of her voice and STYLE Oakhurst
had high and pure tenor voice: he exerted
himself TO support her, and with some sue.
cess; the duet was fitting close TO a delight
full and informal concert. But he was thor
oughly sobered: the effects he produced were
from cool elaboration, rather than the out
bursts Of an enthusiastic temper. Earlier in
the evening the tones and the chances Of his
companion would have sent fiery thrills along
his nerves and lifted him above all self-con.
troll
In the buzz Of voices that followed, Irene
commenced q lively colloquy with Oakhurst,
as though she desired to leave him under the
impressions with which the evening COM
menced. The amusements Of summer were
discussed, the merits Of watering places and
other fashionable resorts, when Oakhurst
accidentally mentioned that he and Palette
were going presently to Long Branch.
"Delightfilll" she exclaimed, ITO enjoy the
ocean after the rush of company has left
While the fashionable season lasts, there is
nothing but dress and gossip. You are wise
to avoid it,"
II think So" he replied. "Neither my
tastes nor my pursuits incline me TO mingle
in what is termed fashionable society. 1t
makes too large demands upon ones time, to
say nothing Of the expense or the unsatisfac-
tory nature of its pleasures"
II agree with you. So you are going to
sketch. Would not you and Mr. Palette like
some companya You will not pore over your
canvas all day, surely
awe should be delighted; 1 should, GER
tainly. And if you will look at my friends
face just now, as he is talking to your beauti
full sister -in-law, you will see that he would
not object"
$40 you think Catherine is beautifulip The