The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1891-04-02

SPEAK sbout Many OF my tfienus nav
been TO see il. and they sll pronounced
perfect portrait OF my daughter. xh
died at sea. many Years ,go. My mai
: has seen il she has the same opinion.
! went to the academy the other day TO So
il myself II is 80 rerfects likeness tbs
: f.iuted when l saw il. and have sinc
: been very H. VIII you tell ms. cir. wb
the lady may be Who so exactly resemble
; my lost daus h,er2 ! would give worlds 4
see her. wish to beg that you may cop.
her portrait Tor me.
j delibsrsted . moment. and then decit
ed to tell the exsct truth.
do not know the lady's name, madam
/ said. The picture is painted chief,
from memory. and then described ny
sitters visit. and repeated what she said
As ! spoke the old lady grew greatly il
terested. When had f1ished she cl ssT
ed her bands together. and cried in much
excitement
My friend, you may think me insane,
bnt ! cannot help ii. Your strange guest
was DO living woman. She was the spirit
Of my daughter. She knew how longed
for her likeness, aud came to you to paint
me one, iyou doubt me, have proof.
Sara, bripg me the cloak and bracelet your
young lady wears 10 the picture
Sara left the room. She returned with
garment that closely resembled the one
had depicted, aud snake bracelet OF re-
tber peculiar fashion.
She woie them that might be sure Of
her, she said She had little OF her ward
robe With her. Most it was left at home.
The cloak was great favorite OF hers. II
came from japan. The bracelet we bought
abroad, Oo, it was my Leila who came,
and must buy the picture!
Yes; really do think madam is right.
said the maid, with . courtesy For there 8
the little mole on her cheek; and the way
she has with Ter hair, that was too long to
do like every ones
l myself WAS now almost convinced
that had painted ghost, aud cold chills
began to run down my back and my hand
trembled.
You will sell it to me2 asked the old
lady.
Certainly. madam. Ireplied
The old lady spoke TO the maid. who
brought her check book The sum she
offered was an immenae one; aud was
not idiot enough to decline it. She gave
me ber hand when l left her and offered
me her benedic,ion. When the exhibi
tion closed the picture was sent to her
house.
! was now beginning to be known, and
patrons were plentiful. Ny studio was
10 a more fashionable part. Of the town,
aud l though. no mole Of turning farmer.
and felt quite sure Of marrying the girl
of my choice very shortly, and indeed /
did
The story OF the ghost who sat for me
had somehow got about. and told it fre
quently. with some additions. to my sit
ters' 1t gave me quite little notoriety'
for the old lady was well 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 Ut my easel, giving the finishing
touches to picture, when hand touch
ed my shoulder. turned and saw lady
with black eyes aud golden hair looking
at me obe did not wear the Japanese
cloak this time, but cloak that fitted her
closely, and on her head was beautiful
little bonuei; hut ii ~ss my spirit ell the
same.
What have yon thought OF mefshe said.
She was Of tue earth. earthly. solid flesh
and blood. No donbt OF that. II she
had maieiializsd. she had done 1t thor,
oughly. My answer popped out OF my
mouth without thought
thought yon ghost, said !.
Alb; l came and vanished like one, said
he. The company went to Australia very
10 me. But ! hope you I'm
shed my picture. want some pboto'
graphs Of it for the windows. ! told you
o go Oh With it. you know. ! thought
1oud write when II vas done.
did rot know your name. madam, said
thought very one knew me- said she.
u dademoiselle Rosslia. Of the Comic,O Opera
We we're msking such sensation in our
,pera at the time. was having my hair
ireesed on the A ,or below when ran up
0 tit for you, and | thought ] left my
ard Now, did you fnish the picture,
rope.
As .be spoke locked at the handsome ,
inger Either che bid grown much cosr
er OF hsi ideslgz-d ber. She bore only ,
slight likeness 10 my portrait tf
sdy. siier oil. it sesmed 10 me. but she ,
vas plsinly good nsiursd. begged her .
o be seated. ard gave her the history OF ,
,er portrsi'.
IT is sil very curions. abe said. sod very
ouetipg. ! would not rob the dear old !
siy Of her delnsion for the world. or
.oor,e everyone bss one Of these Japanese /
obes. and snake bracelets are common; .
nd sho kross II look the l.ss, like the
,oor sirIs Inagiasiion does wonders {
But you can psiat ns ssriu 10 another
,ose and smother costume. No one sill
yer recall the porirai, 10 The academy and .
ss si.l keep the secret.
We did. To ttis day no one bat my
Iiie knovs ihst the stost thst gave me
ny nrs, helping hand tc fame sod for
ure vas the veil known singer. Msdeno-