The Yazoo sentinel. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1878-1916, 1891-04-23

that she would return, but she negc
came; and at last ceased TO cxpec
her.
The picture was not six months old
when the academy exhibition opened.
had had n remittance from my father
and had resolved 70 fight a little longe
before | returned 70 the farm. One d
two little bits OF work which had brough
me pecuniAry profit had fallen to me
aud / was more hopeful. framed m,
portrait, sent II 10 the academy, and, 4
my great astonishment, found II accepted
and hung upon the line. Moreover, Oh,
critics praised II, friends called TO con-
gratulato me. The portnit Of lady wal
a great success, and / felt that IL had
been Of more advantage % me 10 keep
than II would have been to sell II. But
this end Of the story had not yet come.
Toward tho close Of the exhibition re.
ccived note from lady, who declared
herself very Ill and quite unable to cal
upon me.
She begged that would como TO sec
her on business matter, aud, OF course,
went.
| A splendid mansion in Fifth avenue
was the old lady's homo, and she re-
ceiyed me in her private room, attended
only by her maid.
''You are very good 10 come 10 me, 4"
she said. at is your picture in the
acadcmy-your portrait Of lady--that
/ wish to speak 10 you about. Many Of
my friends have been 10 see 1t, and thoy
all pronounced II perfect portrait Of
my daughter, who died Mt sea, many
years ago. My maid has seen it-she has
tho same opinion. / went TO the aca-
deny the other day to see ii myself. II
is so perfect likeness that tainted
when / saw II, and have since been very
i'll. viii you tell me, sir, who the lady
may be who, so exactly resembles my lost
daughterl ] would give worlds to see
her. Iwish TO beg that you may copy
her portrait for me-"
deliberatod a moment, and then de-
cided to tell the exact truth.
III do not know the lady's name,
madam, " said. "The picture is painted
chiefly from memory" and then de-
scribed my sittor's visit and repeated
what she said.
AS spoke the old lady grew greatly
interested. When | had finished she
olasped her hands together, and cried in
much excitement:
my friend, you may think mo insane,
but cannot helpit. Your strange guest
was no living woman. She was the spirit
OF my daughter. She knew how longed
for her likeness, and came to you to paint
me one. II you doubt me, have proof
Sara, bring me the cloak and bracelet
your young lady wears in the picture
Sara left the room. She returned
with a garment that closely resembled
the one had depicted, aud snake
bracelet Of rather peculiar fashion.
"She wore them that might be sure
Of her." she said. "She had little of
her wardrobe with her. Most OF il was
left at homo. The cloak was a great
favoIito OF hers. It oamO from Japan.
The bracelet we bought abroad. oh, It
was my Leila who came, aud / must buy
the picture"
eyes; really do think madam is
right" said the maid, with u courtesy.
"For there's the little mole on her cheek;
and the way she has with her hair, that
was too long to do like every ones"
myself was now almost convinced
that had painted ghost, and cold chills
began TO run down my back and my hand
trombled.
"You win sell 1t to met" asked the
old lady.
"Certainly, madam, replied.
The old lady spoke to the maid, who
brought her a check-book. The sum
she offered WINS an immense one; aud | |
was not idiot enough to decline ii. She
gave me her hand when left her aud
offered me her bencdiction. When the
exhibition closed the picture was sent
to her house.
was now beginning to be known, and
patrons were plentiful, My studio was
in more fashionable part Of the town,
aud thought no more Of turning
farmer, and felt quite sure OF marrying
the girl of my choice very shortly, as in
deed | did.
The story of the ghost who sat for me
iad somehow got about, and told it
with some additions, to my
filters. II gave me quite little notori-
,ty, for the old lady was well known in
he fashionable circle, and there could
20 no doubt that the picture was her
daughters likeness.
Three or four years had passed since
hat strange sitting when one day was
rorking at my easel, giving the finishing
ouches TO picture, when a hand touched
ny shoulder. l turned and saw a lady
nth black eyes aud golden hair looking
I me. She did not wear the Japanese
loak this time, but a coat that fitted her
losely, and on her head was a beautiful
title bonnet; but it was my spirit all the
lme.
"what have you thought Of met" she
hid. She was of the earth, earthly,
bid Hesh and blood. No doubt of that.
she had materialized, she had done it
thoroughly. Ny answer popped out Of
" mouth without thought. II
81 thought you a ghost, said I.
"Ah; l came and vanished like one,
lid she. 1.-The company went 70 Aus
ALA very Unexpectedly to me. But
- - E.s.i.l -. ,.s.t.,.. 4 ,--.-e 4.