The Delta independent., 1889-08-27

the golden
e gazed, the fairness
golden dawn changed into a
d-coppcry hue, and save the bells
ia sound was heard, while l felt q
owing horror and terror in that
aeavy stagnant air.
/. l strove to fly, and in the darkness,
which was growing slowly, suffused
With weird. unearthly light, as If the
pitiful stars had faltered back into the
morning sky to comfort the wailine
people. I stumbled over something in
my path. and peering down, saw 1t was
IN open coffin, wherein lay a yelled
woman. Half unconsciousIy 1 stretch
ID out my hand to raise the veil, and
saw the haunting face l had sought
everywhere in. vain for my picture.
I sprang up with cry of terror, and
Awoke In my. darkened studio! But the
face was as clear now as If she really
lay before me in her coffin, and still
very family I fancied I could hear the
clashing Of those weird bells in the
distance.
I lighted my lamp and worked on
and on, with that strange feeling of
possession one has sometimes-as II
come mighty power outside us were
guiding our hands and inspiring our
thoughts.
Gradually the dawn, faint and pale
and ghostly. as 1t comes to us in Lon.
DON. stole into my room. extlnguish-
ID my lamp, but still worked on, and
ct last there lay the lovely face, clear
ana distinct.
My picture, The Vision" was duly
sent to the Royal academy and accept.
ID; not only accepted. indeed, but
actually hung in the place of honor in
one Of the best rooms, and was over
wnlmed with the generous congratula-
hons Of my brother artists. mingled
with inquiries about the model who sat
for'my princess. I could see very few
Of them believed my story, that 1 had
painted from no living model. but only
from a dream face. and my closest
friend, Reginald Doone, expressed
general feeling. when he said:
"Ah, we'll, old man, you want to
keep her to yourself. l don't blame
you, for there is not such another face
in all England. BY Jovem he broke
off under his breath, with a mischiev-
GUS look at me, '.loOk there; is that
dream, too?"
And following his glance. I saw to
my amazement and delight, the
original of my picture. Involuntarily
glanced at it. Yes. every line. every
curve of the sweet face was reproduced
with absolute fidelity. and stood as IL
turned to stone as she paused before
he picture. and an old gentleman who
was with her said. in a tone of sup
prise:
why. Ina, that is your portrait!"
A faint flush rose in the lovely, pale
face as she murmured:
''Oh, no. papa;I am not beautiful
like that!'
II must have that picture" he add
cd, as. after another long look, they
passed ON.
! had placed price of 1900 guineas
on my picture, wishing to keep it for
myself, and thinking NO one would be
likely to give that sum for the work of
a comparatively unknown artist. How
over I found shortly afterward
that it was sold to well known
dealer.
followed my Vision at distan ce
through the gallery, asking everyone
knew who she was, but no one could
tell me anything about her: and at last,
when they left, j was fain 10 follow
still thinking from their carriage
might be able to discover some clew.
However, to my surprise. they walked
some little distance. and then
got into hanson. / jumped into
another. and ordered the driver to fol-
low theirs, and stop where it stopped.
Much Ito my disgust, Paddington
station seemed their destination, and
when after paying my man I hurried
into the station, was just in time to see
them disappear into a first class
carriage as the train steamed off!
had lost her for that time, but 1
cOmforted myself with the idea that we
must meet during the season, and
determined ut once to look up all nv
old friends, and accept all the invita-
tions got. for until now, wrapped up
in my art ] had rather neglected the
nrst. and always declined The last. But
everything had changed; since my
dream had been but the shadow Of this
sweet reality, / seemed to have re,.ch-
ed at one bound the very soul OF life.
After some months OF solitary
wanderings, / bekan to journey slowly
homewsrd. pausinR steach picturesque
village which took my fancy, and
crossing the rich Lombard plain TO
hn-n4- and 20 TO Genoa and the
49, r
Jhristmas sve wlssn i
tlittis tewa near npoAl-
70 ~ Dstsl ytansla.