Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-12-03

lhe world. but Of a dream or prophecy.
the sristocraic, taper fingers held the
love token so close, so fond, that one
artist exclai1ned,-
"By Jove! the pink tips flush with
the pressure!"
The soul Of the artist was "painted
in" The figure commanded a frank
ness and simplicity, q charming fresh
ness and purity, which mastery hand
bad swept into life.
This was Roberts masterpiece. The
grace Of attitude, the strength and
character IN every line seemed q Won
der and surprise 10 older and greater
9rtists.
The Academy was crowded, and q
lovlier collection Of pictures had never
been on its walls.
MadapNs Iose ordered the carriage.
"Bessie, run and ask Miss Esther 10
60 with us to the Academy this eve
ming. l promised your father Iwouid
bring al the children, governess aud
maids. So run quickly"
"Oh, do, Miss Esther! Mamma
Gays So"
After some protest, Esther, the tall,
quiet, gray-eyed governess who had
been with the madame two years IN
Paris and for the first time to-day was
going into the streets Of this familiar
city, took Bessie by the hand and Went
70 see the wonderful picture.
The children skipped from room 20
room in delight. The madame sat
lazily before the walls of color and
beauty, in calm pleasure. Monsieur
Rose hovered about his family, ex-
pressing his warm admiration in
strongest French praise.
Esther passed and repsssed before
"The Talislnan." She was very still.
Her lips grew whittier and whittier. She
sank into the nearest seat, putting her
hand feebly TO her head. Some one
spoke TO her, but the voice was of the
dead. a picture next the "Talisman"
was Stormy Sea; the salt wind blew
on her cold face; the next, pathetic,
tender-faced group Of children.
The little throng Of artists, chatting
,arelessly, passed before her. One
man stood alone some distance from
hers his hands were clsped behind
him. Something familiar in the
figure.
"Robert! Robert!" rang through
the great hall like silver bell.
Everybody turned 10 see who called.
The silent, lonely man with the star
on his clasped hand sprang with one
bound to the seat where Esther was,
and caught her In his arms before she
could fall TO the floor.
80 nv Cod" he said. "1Iy God 9"
He laid her head on his breast, sat
do wn in the seat with his arms dght
about her, while the crowds looked
wonderingly on.
Not another word passed Robert.
lips. Silence-the silence OF love
and possession--the silence Of Uu,
speskable Joy.
Esther lay Ike broker lily on his
breast, with not one dutter Of the
heart or blue-veined eyelids. He
passed the hand which held the ring
across her eyes, let 1t lie softly on her
hair, and at last, IN one passionate,
wild appeal, put his lips to the sweet,
quiet mouth and kissed it back to life,
"Oh, let me see your eyes, Esther /!
Speak 70 me! My own-my OWL
where have you been"
CAT la.t!" sighed Esther, "afrer
waiting, watching-oh, at last! But
this place" And she drew her veil
over her eyes, overwhelmed with the
publicity.
"Go and find Miss Esther, Bessie. z"
said Madame Rose. "It's time 70 go
and where is papa?"
Leaning heavily on the arm Of a
distinguished stranger, Miss Esther
came to meet the family, whose sston-
ished looks quite appalled, her
Robert said simply, with the air OF
one owning all this world
"Let me leave my promised wife
with you, madame, for q few hours
only. She will tell our sad story
you will want no proof OF our
honesty"
Bustling, wild with excitement, the
madame had discovered the likeness TO
her goveruess in the great picture. and
was fuming and fussing 70 tiud her
husband and "talk it over" Now the
handsome artist-the terrible separa-
tion-the stolen jewel! There must
be q grand wedding at ouoel
But Esther and Robert went quietly
TO the little Gothic church Of gray
. oAAANSf just W L7AAAC N44b gAA NUS =
city, with not the flour hundred >"
but few Of the old time friends who
came from Washington 10 meet and
rejoicc over their "lost friend
"With this ring do thee we'd"
Once more the blue-pale, trembling
drop of water rested on the white
finger of the beautiful woman.
The PRAYER of the mother waI an
swered, and the dream Of her boy
quite fulfilled.
Many q day Il has gladdened Es-
theirs heart since then; and in New
York there is no more blessed home
than that OF the artist, Walbridge.
In the cool drawing-room, with the
scent of roses in the air, and pretty
rugs on the tiled floors, "The Tails
man" hangs on the wall, far above
''ubies, diamonds or gold in price.
Youthful Old Men.