The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-05-24
AN ARTISTS IDYL.

the outrageous forest. The rain
had ceased, but from the leaves drops
OF water still dripped with the light
sound OF n trickling fountain. At
distance the path he was following
opened on green glnde. The trunks
Of the trees were dark, their branches
darker still, and thespreading foliage
of the chestnuts, meeting above the
head of the young artist, seemed like
the vault of a cathedral ut the hour
when the declining sun sends through
the many-colorcd windowsa Il mysteri-
GUS light into the obscurity OF the
interior.
Maurice loved the hour when the
day dies, when gray tint falls upon
all objects, contounding their con-
tours, softening their angles and
rounding their outlines. He walked
slowly, each moment discovering in
the forest some beauty he had not
seen before, and filled with that ten
der admiration for nature which is n
part of genius.
Having reached the glade, he looked
about him. The grass was green and
fresh; the delicate leaves of the trees
glistened under the drops of rain
which had fallen upon them. He
paused that she might better observe
the scene, which seemed more imprcs.
sive in the gathering shadows than
in the full light of tho sun.
He saw the pretty, slight form of n
girl advancing from II clump ofbcech
trees. She walked with asupple step,
without seeing Maurice, who, as mo-
tionless as the trunk of the tree near
which hc stood, looked Mt her intent
ly. When u few PAGES from him the
girl saw him, trembled, and let fall a
small bundle OF fagots she was carry
ing on her head.
"iou frightened me-" she said,
smiling, and her large, dark eyes
sparkled gaily under her tangled yell
low hair.
He looked at her moment with
out replying. Complete harmony,
which it is impossible to describe, en-
listed between this smiling girl, the
foliage of the glade and the tone OF
the landscape.
"lselnnin where you are," said the
young man; II want to sketch you. +"
She was about to brush buck tho
locks that had fallen over her fore
head, but he stopped her with n ges-
ture.
"Stand just rs you are."
lie seated himself on u stone and
rapidly sketched the face and form of
his young model.
She was u peasant, but delicate and
slight, MS nrc these youngg girls before
they complete development, which is
often late. Her eyes were already
those of woman; her smile was still
that of a child.
GLOW old are you?" asked the art
list, as he worked
81 shall be sixteen soon."
"Is it possible! | thought you were
younger"
Liam small, she said, with frank
smile, "but shall grow qnickly, and
by Saint Johns Eve shall have q
lover"
"Why on Saint Johns Eve?" asked
the young man, pausing in his work
and looking ut her.
because then We shall dance
around the bOnfires."
So soon was this pure brow, these
innocent eyes, childish mouth to be
prohned by the caresses of some
stupid rusticl Maurice experienced q
vague feeling of jealously
would you like to have me for
your lover?" he asked. as he returned
to his work.
You? Ali! you are gentleman, I
am IA peasant. Honest girls do not
listen to gentlemen"
Such il the code of virtue among
villagers. The young man made no
reply to her words, but said:
II can see no longer. Will you re-
turn here tomorrow a little earlier?"
For my picture?'
"Ycs."
II will return. Good evening""
She took up her fagots, and pass
ing under the arching cheatnuts,
soon disappeared in the shades of
evening.
Maurice returned home dreaming
of the girl with the yellow hair.
Although he had often before seen
pretty peasants, whom he had re-
garded with nm artist'seye, he seemed
to look on this girl with the jealous
eyes of lover. That night and the
next day seemed long to him, and
some time before the appointed
hour he was in the glade.
He worked by himself, and when,
little later. the young girl arrived,
looking at the sketch, she exclaimed
with an mir ofcoquetry and surprise:
"Ah, it is l! Are you going to
give it to me?"
"No, ! will make small picture
for you"
"And this one, what are you going
to do with it,"
at is going to Paris, it will be put
in n large frame, it will be hung in n
grand saloon and all the world will
rO tn see it,"