Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-12-28

idea had first Struck boruon.
The very day that huinbug H backed
ant of the affair and you expressed an opin.
ion that it would bediificult to find anos her
pottery where such work could be fired.
Ry the luckitst chance possible learned
tbe same day that Perry, round the corner,
wanted to sell his works"
..The ginger beer bottle placer" Taras
asked with a little ruefulness in his face
.'Oh he does drain pipes as we'll But of
oonrse we shall build a new kiln-can't
make bricks without straw, you know
and get the best workmen that are to be
had haven't said a word on this matter
to any one for fear the negotiations might
fall through, but last night the affair was
concluded satisfactorily, and we enter into
possession at once. As soon as you are
ready the workmen can set about casting
the group, so that it will be dry and be
ready for burning by the time the kiln il
fnished-of course old man, supposing
that YOU are willing to give us the job"
"A proper kiln and good workmen-I ask
for nothing more than that"
"You may depend on having them. Any
thing is to be had for money. and | shall
he only too glad to put mine to such good
use. You know how thoroughly | SYM
nathize with your cause. That alone would
command my fortune, but look what a
start this Job will give us-what an adver.
tsementI'
Taras stretched out his hand and grasped
his friends in a silence more expressive
than any verbal testimony of his faith in
Gordon and recognition Of the generous
motive that uEdarlay his scheme
We saw great deal of Gordon during
the following week On the Saturday
there was a long consultation in the work
shop with two Of the clevercst men in the
trade with respect TO the casting of the
group, which had now received the last
t0,lch aud it was agreed that on the Mon
day following the operation should be be-
GUN. Iaras told me this when the work
men were gone and | found him ia he
workshop There he stood before his work
with folded arms, and after regarding it in
silence for few minutes he said with i'm
uressiye force:
This is the finest work l have ever done
ia my life, Aura | am pooud of it,"
It was the pride of conscious strength,
not the vanity of weak mind, that inn
PEELED him to say this, and it evoked cor
responding feeling of exultant admiration
IN NY blAetao Ahat bttAitoHtu al iOOilNu
thoughts aud compunctions slipped my
hand under his arm and pressed it. / was
proud, TOO, not of the work, but of the man
whose genius had produced it.
1T should be his finest work." | said to
myself as the awful reflection flashed upon
me that it was likely to be his last and
that il would cost him his life
We went to Kew on Sunday afternoon
and fingered under the beautiful trees in
tue gardens until the keeper cried, 'All
outr We were both more silent than
usual for we were both thinking about the
group-he with some anxiety. probably,
about the delicate operation Of the morrow,
| for the result of its successful achieve
ment But with my anxiety was mingled
asupreme happiness, a fitting sense of my
priyilegein being the friend and companion
Of such noble man.
On Monday morning rose early, and go
Ing ont to the atelier saw Taras standing
h the doorway, his chin sunk upon his
breast and his eyes fixed on something
within.
AZ the sound of my step he raised his
head and turned, looking down at me with
deep detection in his face and with such va
cancy in his regard that i could scarcely be
lieve he saw me.
''Tarasl'' exclaimed, hating at the foot
Of the steps in wonder and fear.
Without word he beckoned me to come
up, and as | reached his side on the landing
he raised his hand and pointed within.
With choking cry of dismay perceived
that his work-the beautiful group on
which he had spent months of patient
labor and strenuous thought-lay a shape
less wreck upon the floor. The irons that
supported the subject stood there, gro
tesque skeleton of the living figures, but
the modelled clay was heaped upon the
floor in a shapeless mass, the original de
sign beaten out of recognition.
For the moment ] thought that, finding
itfalen and his work spoiled, he himself had
trampled upon it in fit Of frenzied exas-
peration
Was it too damp" | asked, knowing
the care he took to wiring out the wetted
cloths that developed the group at night
time
He shook his head
"Then who has done thiss" asked.
The car" he replied. His arm is
Ions"
But not so long as yours" said !, fired
with spirit of revengeful wrath. You
will not give in because of this You will
fight him to the end. Whatyou have done
before you can do again. You can build up
the figures once more and make them as
beautiful as they were. 1t is only matter
OF time"
MY brave Aura!" said he, laying bis
hard affsctionsteiy on my shoulder. "you
give me the ccrrage lack Yes, that Is
the way to face a disaster like this. Take
up the sword and fight on. That alone
makes defeat honorable What does lt
matter-the delay Of a few monthsf we
shouldn't be content to do nothing. They We
LETT Inc the bones at any rate, he added
with laugh and a nod at the rllsted iron'
and we shall soon see the flesh grow again
on them. Let ms 90 down now. After
breakfast we win begin again. It's good 10
Aaye brave friend at such time as tins.
Come Aura"
But for all my bravery could eat no
breakfast, aud when Taras spoke oil our
visitto Kew burst into a food OF uncon-
irollahle tears with a recollection oil the
confident hope and pride which had hiiea