The morning call., 1892-06-13
A DREAM PICTURE.

d UllHdM L III U1lH'
twas late in the afternoon Of dark No
yember day. I had just drawn my chair
and easel a little closer to the north win
dow for better light on the portrait l had
almost finished. A few touches here and
there and it would be done. was tired and
ont Of sorts. The picture had given me
deal of trouble in one way and another, and
was glad TO get it off my hands. : l still
held the brush and leaned over my work for
few finishing touches
Just then there sounded umid little rap
on the door.
"Come in, I called grufiy, not stopping
TO look around, but bent upon completing
my picture before dark.
But as the brush touched the picture 1t
was arrested by soft, childish voice, say
Ing, ALPHABETICALLY:
Excuse me, please, for interruption"
Before she finished l had sprang to my
feet and begged pardon for my seeming
Tudeuess.
The speaker was lady-a delicate little
creature Of not more than 20, with hair dark
as midnight, clear olive complexion and
sOrrowful dark eyes. She was dressed IN
the deepest mourning. An older woman
accompanied her whom she called mother,
though there was little resemblance be-
tween them She also wore black.
The younger woman advanced TO meet
me, her eyes sweeping the room until they
rested on the picture upon the easel, and
the small Old-fsshi0ned tintype that had
been MY copy. Then they turned eagerly to
me, and she questioned, with the same
eagarness in her voice:
"You do make big pictures from little
q
panlon, see. he has made this large, beauti-
ful portrait from that" pointing to the tin
type" ,.-,.
eager, and they both stood still regarding
me bTeathlessly. At length the younger
made quick little move toward the older
LET him see IT," she exclaimed, in
Ietuously. I'VE can never tell until he
does"
Madam drew a gold chain from around
her neck On which was a lUcket studded
With precious stones. The younger woman
snaicaed it from her, touched the clasp and
laid the picture thus revealed before me.
The face that looked up into mine was that
Of youth Of 10 OF IS, with broad, fearless
brow, clear steel blue eyes, and quantity
OF reddish brown hair. There was that
about the face that gave one the impression
Of power, unTied. embryonic power, but
irresistible and awful none the less. 1
could scarce take my eyes OF il, and at the
same time was ashamed Of the effect the
portrait Of a mere boy had produced upon
my nerves.
Both OF the women were regarding me
earnestly.
you can do It from this? the younger
finally half questioned, half pleaded.
There was something very unlike an or
binary business transaction about all this.
II seemed somehow as II great deal de-
pended upon my answer. But l tried TO
pf q aVprVdaF hUETunSC
"Ob, certainly. 1t is not difficult copy
to enlarge"
The vOmen's eyes met; then the younger
again burst forth:
But you must do morei BE was %
when he died, DTOad-shOuldered and
bearded" throwing herself back and
drawing her hand across cheek and lips.
You must make him ike that p
looked at her In astOnisbment
But madam, how can /? I never saw
bin. We sometimes do those things from
memory. but even then the expression is
very ficult TO obtain. And this is your
only likeness" touching the lOcket.
She hesitated moment. Her eyes filed
with tears.
"There--theTe is another but II is unlike,
and l could not have it painted from
that, anyway" And a great sob chok ed
She wiped away her tears. and turned to
me implOTingly.
They told me you were a fine artist
that there was nothing In DOTtraits You
could not do. Artists do not always need a
CODY: don't they sometimes work from
Imagination IL 1t is memory you need l
can tell you everything, and make you see
him better than a picture could dO-eYery
little expression, the way he turned his
head when be looked at one, his smile, and
bow he frOwned when he was angry. Oh,
my GOdl l can seehim now just as he looked
that last time"
She broke off and buried her face 10 her
hands. The older woman patted her
shoulder and tried to sOOthe her. She re-
covered herself quickly and turned TO me.
'You must forgive mel try to be brave.
hut il is only such a little while now, and
sometimes l cannot bear It'll"
She dried her eyes hastily, and smiled
pleadingly up into my face.
but you will make the picture? We
don't mind the money We are ready TO
pay whatever you ask if you will only at
tempt it."
But it is more difficult than ANYTHING I
have ever undertaken" l said, hesitatingly.
Yes, yesl And yet you will succeed l
know you will succeedw
She clasDed her hands tightly together and
stood waiting for my answer.
"Well," / said reflectively, "I will trv."
THANK Godl" she exclaimed, and the
older woman gave me look Of heartfelt
gratitude.
You will leave the lOeket with me, then,
tonight" / asked.
Shall we, mOther?" the young woman
questioned.
She had fastened It about her throat
again, aud now casped it eonvulsiyely
under her dress. She did not answer for a
moment, then spoke in voice broken with
emotion.
81 cannotl Oh, l cannotl 1t is all 1
have left of my boyl l cannot part with il
even for a nightw
The younger woman acquiesced silently
By an inclination of the head
"Will it embarrass you if we come and
tIt here as you work? she asked.
mot in the least" l replied.
"Then," she grayely responded, 'We will
come tomorrow"
So it happened that day after day they sal
with me while l painted. Each day the little