Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-11-13

IL.
mother-or is she free?'' he said to
himself in the Innermost recesses Of his
heart. The landscape painted by the
| young artist was an exact representa-
tion of the spot drawn by the lady.
where he himself. Eidele, and the sheen
had posed as models. Petit Pierre, in
the simple alteration OF his heart for the
spot and the inspirer of his genius, had
chosen this for his first picture. The
| exquisite yerdure, with the gray rocks
arising here and there; the dismautled
oak. its trunk torn in twain by the
| lightning, were all represented with
scrupulous e1actness. Petit Pierre was
leaning on his crook with dreamy air,
Fldele dreaming in reality at his feet.
The young woman gazed a long time
at Petit Pierre's plcture-examininc
attentively all the details, advancing
and retreating as if not only Judging
the effect, but as if weighing something
IN her mind. In a preoccupied way
she opeEed the catalogue and looked for
the number of the picture, the subject
and the artists name-but the latter
was unknown TO her, and the picture
had only the title, "a Landscape. -
Suddenly, as if recoIlectiDg something,
she said few words to the companion
with her, and looking In an absent
fashion at few other pictures, she
left the gallery.
Petit P.erre found himself following
her, almost without knowing it, fearing
10 lose this suddenly acquired clue.
lie saw her enter carriage, and to
throw himself in a cab and tell the
driver not TO lose sight of blue car
riage with chamois liveries, took but a
W. hn dv-Ey a,
his horse and started in pursuit. The
carriage entered the courtyard of a
handsome house, and the gates were
closed behind her. Here then the
"beautiful lady" lived. To know the
number Of the street where ones ideal
lived was something.
There remained for him now to know
the name of his lady-loye, to be re-
celved at her house, and TO make her
love him-three trifiing formalities that
decidedly disturbed the artist. Fortu-
nately CHARGE came to his aid, and the
way opened itself for him. One morn
ing little oblOng letter scented with
viOlets was brought to him, containing
the following:
''SIR: saw In the salon a charming
picture painted by you. L would be
very glad to have 1t III my little gallery.
IL am not too late, If it still belongs to
you, be good enough to promise me you
VIII not sell II TO anyone else, and to
send 1t after the exposition is finished
10 Rue st. H, number~ Your
price shall be mine.
q. DE L'EsCARs."
The number and the street Petit
Pierre remembered was where the car
riage entered. lie was not mistaken.
Madame de PEscars was the beautiful
lady" of his dreams, the inspirer of his
genius, the donor of the golden louis
with which he had bought his first
drawing materials.
Petit Pierre was not long In going to
see Madame de l'Escars, and the most
friendly relations were soon established
between them. The frank, straightfor-
wardness united TO the great good sense
OF the former. met with great favor in
the eyes of the latter, who, though not
recognizing III the young artist the lit
tie shepherd who had served her as a
model, nevertheless could not free her
self from the impression she had seen
him elsewhere.
Madame de pEScars as yet had not
told Petit Pierre las he shall be called
10 the end of the story, not to divulge
a name that became afterwards Justly
celebrated) that she drew. but one
evening she confessed what Petit Pierre
already knew very well-she had made
some studies, some sketches that she
would have shown him before if she
had thought them worthy. She brought
the album to the table, and turned the
leaves more or less rapidly, as she
thought them worthy or unworthy of
examination. When she had reached
the spot where Petit Pierre and his
flock were represented, she said TO the
young artist:
This is the same place you depicted
in the picture l bought TO realize what
l wanted TO do. You have been at
$, then?''
'Yes, 1 spent some time there -
"A charming country, and full of
beauties that one might seek long for
elsewhere and not find Ali there Is a
blank page, will you not draw some
thIng?'
Petit Pierre sketched the valley where
Madame de PEscars was thrown from
her horse. He represented the Amazon
on the ground, held by the young shep-
herd, who bathed her temples with his
handkerchief
What strange coincidencei" crieI
Madame de 'Escars. 81 was really
thrown from my horse In that very
spot, but there was no witness OF my
accident but little shepherd, that /
dimly saw in my faint condition, but |
have never seen him since. Who could
have told you thisP''
Il am Petit Pierre, and here IS the
handkerchief with which / wiped the
blood from your temple from a slight
wound. l see you have the mark Of it
yetl''
Madame de PEscars held out her
hand 20 the young artist, who imprinted
on her fingers respectful kiss. Then
in a voice tremulOus from emotion, he
related to her all his life, his vague as
pirations, his dreams, his efforts, and at
last his love. Now he read his heart
plainly, and if 1t had been the muse he
had adored In Madame de l'Escars,
now he loved the woman.
There is not much more to say-the
end Of the tale Is not difficult TO guess
before many months Madame de
PEscars became Madame D., tile
wife OF one of the rising young artists
of the day, and Petit Pierre had the
rare good luck to marry his ideal. lie
loved the country and became d great
landscapist; he loved charming woman
and he married her. But what will not
a pure love and strong will accom-
plish.
About Finger Nails.