Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-04-01
AFTER YEARS.


Twenty years ago-being then a
young artist just starting in my pro-
fession in London--I received
through the kindness of a friend. a
commission from the duke of c.
VIII ch drove me half wild with de-
light. / was TO follow the family
from town. stay at c. castle. and
pant portrait OF his youngest
daughter the Lady Genevieve
shook hands euergetically with my
friend and started per rail n the wake
OF my noble patron who had gone
dowu to his seat the week before.
1t was glorious summer day when
/ arrived and the park was SO beauti-
full that forgot its owner. came
at last into green dell where lit
tie spring dubbed up clear and cold
from among the moss A drinking
cup was chained TO the stone. l
lifted it to my lips and then took off
my hat and leaned against tree near
by.
had not heard footsteps behind
mc-the moss was so thick and soft
but TWO shadows fell across the one
spot Of sunshine in the glade and
started and looked up. A stout good
natured looking old gentleman. brown
as a farmer and with something of
an American farmers frank manliness
about him. stood opposite me. On his
arm leaned a girl sixteen. with the
most honest loving face l had ever
seen. bowed and they returned
the courtesy and turned toward the
spring.
| want it walled in papa said a
very sweet voice that suited the face
charmingly; 1T will be clearer then.
Clearer Genie? Why what can
you want clearer than that2 Look at
it in it-you can see your .ace in it. .
he bent over the Waterford up
on q loose stone in doing so - and
ilinging up her hands and springing
forward to save herself stepped with
both rect into the spring. 1t was not
deep but she was very much dis
mayed. Her father and l both sprang
forward and soon landed her on dry
ground her muslin dress clinging
about her ankles and one small loot
slIpperless.
By this time I had discovered that
nc less a person than his grace OF G
was before me. This. then was
the Lady Genevieve. Well what
then? Was | not an American
proudest title Of all? Had l not a
right to fish a young girls shoe out of
fountain. even If the foot it fitted
blushed with the blood OF hundred
earls? / plunged my arm in and
brought out the sippe. and p esented
il TO the duke.
Many thanks sir = he said bend
ing down to put it on the little foot
she held it. There you mischiey-
Gus puss. Thank this gentleman. and
then run TO the house befo- you get
cold"
She turned to me with cha ming
little courtesy and was gone Then
the duke turned to me. evidently
pu zled.
Your sleeve is dripping sir. May
beg that you will accompany me to
the castle?
Willingly your ace. and I
held out my card which set eve y
thing to rights.
Oh. / see-Mr. Estcourt / am
very glad you have come sir. Gene.
We've is wild about her pc trait. "
The picture was painted. The
Hon. George Cayendish had long
been gone from the castle when
put the last touches to my work.
mad fingered over it long lovingly
at first: madly. at last-for T. the
poor artist dared not love the Lady
(ienevieve and knew tn { when
my task was finished should see her
no more. God help me-
! used to wish as | painted day
after day ga ing the while at the
sweet young face that always bright
-cned as | spoke-how / used TO wish
that she had been born beneath some
humble farmers roof in my own
country so that | might have wooed
aud won her. as she sang about her
household tasks or went at nightfall
toward the pasture bars like MARY
o. the Dee. And how | used to
gFoan In agony OF spirit when / laid
my head upon my sleepless pillow at
night and remembered that the wish
AS all in vain! The duke was away
III OuCuESs
absorbed in the approaching mar
riage OF Lady Marian who was to be
presented the very next season as the
countess OF Clan Mochfoil-and the
withered dueuna who presided over
the sittings never dreamed OF such
piece of mad presumption on my part.
My secret was quite safe.
On the last evening OF my stay the
servant was packing my valise. for |
was to leave very early in the morn.
ing -dinner was over but the plea OF
a lad headache excused my appear
auee The sound OF music and
voices from the drawing room came
family TO my ear Oh If the Lady
Genevieve had only been there how
eagerly would have gone down for
one more last look felt nv eyes
growing dim at the very thought and
saw NO 20 Reri, TINT | shOu'd take n