Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-25

The landlady replied that '.in truth, she had never seen one have so few" And so it was that Mrs. Stanford, the wealthy occupant of Mrs. Browns first floor. nursed the girl, to whose face she had taken such fancy as she met her on her way to and from her room, back to life and health
 "How can I ever thank you?" asked Sadie, looking up gratefully into the kind old face bending above her.
 'Ihank me, my sweet child, by com ing and being to me as my daughter" replied Mrs. Stanford. II am all alone in the world, and so are you."
 A narrow street, hemmed in by ancient houses, and over it intensely blue Italian sky.
 Three figures sauntered slowly along.
 "May, child, do stop while and rest. I, for one. am tired to death."
 "Oh, dear mother. you always give out so soon." petulantly replied the young girl; then, with change of tone, turn ing to her companion, she said:
 'Mr. Ogden, as mamma Is tired, shall we rest here?"
 So under the shade of an old stone DOT tico they sat down, the tall, elegant, fair haired man, and the beautiful, goloen- tressed blond, with her mother, whose diamond earrings and rich dress pro- claimed pronouncedly the wealthy travel ing American.
 A carriage passed, evidently tourists, of whom, at that season, Rome was al- ways full.
 Paul Ogden made 8 sudden exclama- tion. May looked up to see the cause j; but the carriage had passed.
 By the way, Miss May, when was it you said your friend, Miss Arlington, was married?
 "Oh, some time ago." answered May, indifferently. .'You know I wrote you when the engagement took place, and the marriage was not long after. But why do you ask?" with sudden interest as she remembered his start and ejacu- lation a moment before.
 ''I was struck by young lady's resem- blance to Miss Arlington, that was all. Of course it was not she."
 Mo- replied May, decidedly, remem- bering the circumstances in which she had last seen her friend. With a nervous movement her mother rose.
 "Come, May, we must not stop here any longer; we'd better get back to the hotel, so we'll be fresh for our visit to the gallery this afternoon"
 ''Mr. Ogden" said May, as she walked along beside her handsome escort, "you know you promised to tell mo the subject of your picture we are to see today"
 Ut is 'Inspiration,'
 "What an odd name! But we'll see 1t before long. so I'll not ask any more questions"
 It was Sadie that Paul had seen, and she had recognized him as he sat with the golden haired beauty so near him.
 long, sobbing sigh surged up from her heart, but she checked 1t before it passed her lips.
 It was true, then, the report she had heard, that the rising young artist and q beautiful American girl were soon to be married.
 The gallery was thronged with people that afternoon, pacing up and down the fore the paintings which lined the walls. Before one which hung in the most promi- nent position the crowd was so dense that 1t was with great difficulty that Mrs. Stanford and Sadie could approach near enough to see.
 It was called in the catalogue "Inspi- ration"
 Suddenly Sadie gave little start, and then stood in mute surprise.
 It was full-length figure of young girl, clad in a cNnging robe of some color less material. In the extended hand was a laurel wreath. All the accessories to the picture were marvellously painted, but it was the face which riveted the eyes of the beholder. That the artists skill had touched as with pencil of gold and one could see how. with such a face as that for his inspiration, a man would ''do and dare" to the end.
 "Sadie," said Mrs. Stanford, as they left the gallery, that artist must have seen you. It might have been your likeness. How strange"
 Sadie did not answer, but sat with a dreamy smile curving her lips, and a kind of bewildered gleam in her eyes.
 "Ogden," said one of his fellow-artists that evening. II saw friend of mine at the gallery to-day, and she invited me to call. met her and her niece some time ago, when was doing Switzerland. By the by. her niece is almost the counter part of your Inspiration Would you like to call with me?" So that evening as Mrs. Stanford sat in her private pnrlor, with her young com panion on a low stool at her feet, two visitors wore announced. They entered, and Sadie's heart stood still as she recognized the old friend she now met for the first time in five long yeafs.
 Miss Arlington-my friend, MT. Og. den."
 With violent start Paul sprang for. ward, holding out his hand.
 "Miss Arlington Is 1t possible?"
 Sadie merely bowed and muttered some commonplace form of greeting.
 ''Why, my child, you never told me you had met MT. Ogden" said Mrs. Stan ford, noticing Pauls agitated expres. sion.
 "No, it was hardly worth while, as ] 1 supposed he would scarcely remember me, for it is years since we last met" Paul shot & reproachful look out of his frank eyes as he answered: 'Miss Arlington-Sadie! I thought il was you who had forgotten me. re- l ceived news of your engagement, and | then of your marriage"
 My marriage ]" incredulously repeated l Sadie.
 ..Yes, your friend Miss May-wrote me of it. Then it was not true?" Then he turned to Mrs. Stanford, anC the conversation became general. No | there before them all could he speak O. |