New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1890-09-03
A BROKEN IDEAL,

Maurice strolled aimlessly through
the outrageous forest. The rain
had ceased, but from the leaves drops
OF water still dripped with the light
sound OF q trickling fountain. At
distance the path he was following
opened on "a green glade. The trunks
of the trees were dark, their branches
darker still, and the spreading foliage
ofthe chestnuts, meeting above. the
head of the young artist, seemed like
the vault of :acathedral at the hour
when the declining sunsends through
the many-colored windowsa mysteri
Gus light into the obscurity of the
interior.
Maurice loved the hour when the
day dies, when a gray tint falls upon
all objects, confounding 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 filed with that ten
der admiration for nature which is a
part of genius.
Having reachedtheglade, 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 impress.
sive in the gathering shadows than
in the full light of the sun.
He saw the pretty, slight form of a
girl advancing from q .clump ofbeech
trees. She walked withasupple step,
without seeing Maurice, who, as mo-
tionless as the trunk Of the tree near
which he stood, looked at her intent
ly. When a few PAGES from him the
girl saw him, trembled, and let fall a
small bundle OF fagots she was carry
ing on her head.
You frightened me-" she said.
smiling, and her large, dark eyes
spanked gaily under her tangled yell
low hair.
He looked at her a moment with.
out replying. Complete harmony,
which it is impossible to describe, ex.
listed between this smiling girl, the
foliage of the glade and the tone ,o1
the landscape.
"Remain where you are,'' said the
young man; II want to sketch you"
She was about to brush back the
locks that had fallen over her fore
head, but he stopped her with a ges-
ture.
Stand just as you are"
He seated himself on a stone and
rapidly sketched the face and form OF
his young model.
She was peasant, but delicate and
slight, as are these young girls before
they complete development, which is
often late. Her eyes were already
those of a woman; her smile was still
that of child.
''How old are yours asked the art
81, as he worked.
II shall be sixteen soon''
els it possible! thought you were
younger.
lam small, said, with frank
smile, "but I shall grow qnickly, and
by Saint Johns Eve I shall have a
lover"
"Why on Saint j ohn's Eve?" asked
the young man, pausing in his work
and looking at her.
Because then we shall dance
around the bonfres.'
So soon was this pure brow, these
innocent eyes, childish mouth to be
ftprofaned by the caresses of some
stupid rustief Maurice experienced a
vague feeling OF jealousy
Would you like to have me for
your lover?'' he asked. as he returned
to his work.
t'You? All! you are a gentleman, /
ana a peasant. Honest girls do not
listen to gentlemen
Such is the code of virtue among.
Eillagers. The young man made no
reply to her words, but said:
Il can see no longer. Will you re-
turn here tomorrow a little earlier?"
For my picture?"
Yes
Il will return. Good evening,
She took up her fagots, and pass
ing under the arching chestnnts,
qsoon disappeared in the shades Of
sevening. -. "a 4.