Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-04-24

oeen OF more advantage to me to keen
than 1t would have been to sell it. But
the end of the story had not yet come.
Toward the close of the exhibition I re-
ceived note from a lady, who declared
herself very i'll and quite unable to call
upon me.
She begged that 1 would come to SEQ
her on business matter, aud, of course,
went.
a splendid mansion in l''fth avenue
was the old lady's home, and she re-
ceived me in her private room, attended
only by her maid.
You are very good to come to me-"
She said. at is your picture in the
acadomy-your portrait Of lady-that
wish to speak to you about. Many of
my friends have been to see it, and they
all pronounced it perfect portrait of
my daughter, who died At sea, many
years ago. My maid has seen it-she has
the same opinion. went to the aca-
deny the other day to see it myself. It
is so perfect n likeness that tainted
WHEN SAW it, and have since been very
Ill. Will you tell me, sir, who the lady
may be who so exactly resembles my lost
daughter! l would give worlds to see
her. l wish to beg that you may copy
her portrait for me-"
| dclibcrated moment, and then dc.
cided to tell the exact truth.
~ ito not know the lady's name,
madam said. "The picture is painted
chiefly from memory" and then 1 de-
scribcd my sittcr's visit and repeated
what she said
As spoke the old lady grew greatly
Interested. When l had finished she
clasped her hands together, and cried in
much excitement:
My friend, you may think Inc insane,
bit | cannot helpit. Your strange puest
was no living woman. She was the shirt
OF my daughter. She knew how lonpcd
Tor her likeness, and came to you to paint
me one. If 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 garment that closely rcscmblcd
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 it was
LETT ut homo. The cloak was great
favolite of hers. 1t came from Japan.
The bracelet we bought abroad. On. it
was my Leila who came, and must buy
;hc pcturc!"
eyes; | really do think madam is
right, said the maid, with IL courtesy.
SEQ! 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. d"
myself was now almost convinced
that | had painted Il ghost, and cold chills
began to run down my back and nv hand
trcmblcd.
you will sell 1t to mc.r asked the
old lady.
Certainly, madam, replied.
The old lady spoke to the maid. who
brought her II check book The sum
she offered was IN immense one; and I
was not idiot enough to decline it. She
gave me her hand when left her and
oitered-nnc her benctiction When the
exhibition closed the picture was sent
10 her house.
was now beginning to he known, and
patrons were plentiful. My studio was
in more fashionable part of the town, !
and [ thought no more Of turninr
farmer. and felt quite sure of marvin"
the girl of my choice very shortly, as in.
deed did
The story of the ghost who sat for Inc
had somehow got about, and told it
frequently, with some additions, to nv
sittcrs. 1t gave me quite little notori-
city, for the old lady was we'll known in
the fashionable circle, and there could
be no doubt that the picture was her
daughters likeness.
Three or four years had passed since
that strange sitting when one day was
working at my easel, giving the finishing
touches to picture, when n hand touched
my shoulder. turned and saw a lady
with black eyes and golden hair LOOKING
at me. She did not wear the Japanese
cloak this time, but y coat that fitted her
closely, and on her head was II beautiful
little bonnet; but it was my spirit all the
same.
what have you thought of mc1" she
said. She was of the earth, earthly.
solid flesh and blood. No doubt of that.
If she had mnterializcd, she had done it
thoroughly. My answer popI ed out OF
my mouth without thought.
81 thought you ghost" said I.
"Ah; came and vanished like one"
said She. THE company went to Aus
trala very unexpectedly to me. But
hope you finished my picture. want
some photographs of it for the windows.
told you to 80 on with it, you know.
thought you'd write when it was done"
81 did not know your name, madam"
said l.
81 thought every one knew me- said
she. "Madcmoisellc Rosaie, of the
Comic Opera. We were making such n
sensation in our opera at the time. II
was having my hair dressed on the floor
below when l ran up to sit for you, and
| thought left my card. Now, did you
finish the picture, hope"
AS she spoke looked at the handsome
singer. Either she had grown much
coarser or | had localized her. She
bore only q SLIGHT li<oposs to NV.