The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-02

man, ABOUT 20 years OF age, who had
acnt out from his studio in the preceding
year a certain bust, supposed by his admirers
10 DO unsurpassed by any effort Of ancient
or modern genius. ] am no Judge of sculp-
ture, and will not, therefore, pronounce an
opinion; but many who considered themselves
10 be jud ges declared that IL was a " Roodish
head and shoulders,' and nothing more. I
merely mention the fact, as II was on the
strength Of that head and should rs that o'Brien
separated himself from a throng OF others such
ss himself in Rome, walked solitary Turing tn.
days, and threw himself at the feet OF various
ladies when the days were over. He had ridden
on the shoulders Of his bust into a prominent
place In our circle, and there encountered much
feminine admiration-from Mrs. Gen. Talboy.
and others.
Some eighteen or twenty Of us used 10 meet
every Sunday evening in Mrs. Mackinnon's
drawing room. Many Of us, indeed, were In the
habit Of seeing each other daily, and OF visiting
together the haunts in Rome which are best
loved by art-loving strangers; but here. In this
drawing room, we we're sure 10 come together,
and here before the end Of November Mrs. Tai
boys might always be found. not in any accus-
toned seat, but moving about the room as the
different male mental attractions of our society
might chance TO move themselves. She was at
first greatly taken by Mackinnon. who also was.
I think, n little stirred by her admiration,
though he stoutly denied the charge. She be-
came. however, very dear 10 us all before she
left us, and certainly we owed TO her our love,
for she added infinitely IN the Joys OF our winter.
~ have come here TO refresh myself" she
said TO Mackinnon one evening--to Mackinnon
and myself, for we were standing together.
shall I get you tea 2" said l..
And will you have something TO eat ~ Mao
tinnon asked.
mo, no. no." she answered. "Tea, yes; but
for heavens sake let nothing solid dispel the
associations Of such a meeting as this"
II thought you might have dined early" said
Maokinnon. Now, Mackinnon was q man whose
own dinner was very dear to him. l have seen
him become hasty and unpleasant even under
the pillars Of the Forum, when he thought that
the party were placing his fish in jeopardy by
their desire to llnger there too long.
EARLY Yes. No; l know not when II was.
One dimes and sleeps In obedience to that dull
clay which weighs down 30 generally the par
ticle Of our spirit. But the clay may sometimes
be forgotten. Here I can always forget It,"
II thought you asked for refreshmeut," I
said. She only looked at me, whose small
attempts at prose composition had, up to that
time. been altogether unsuccessful, and then
addressed herself in reply to Mackinnon.
1T is the air which we breathe that fills our
lungs and gives us life and light. 1t is that
which refreshes us II pure or sinks us
into stagnation IL It be foul. Let me for
= while inhale the breath of an invigorating
literature. Sit down. Mr.. Mackinnon; l have q
question that l must put to you" And then she
succeeded In carrying him of into a corner. As
far as could see he went willingly enough at
that time, though he soon became averse to
any long retirement with Mrs. Talboys.
We none Of us quite understood what were
her exact ideas on the subject Of revealed re-
ligion. Somebody. l think, had told her that
there were among US one or two whose opinions
were not exactly orthodox according TO the doc
trines of the established English Church. II so.
she was determined to show us that she also
was advanced beyond the prejudices Of an old
and dry school OF theology. II have thrown
down all the barriers Of religion, she said to
poor Mrs. Mackinnon, and am looking for the
sentiments Of a pure Christianity"
Thrown down all the barriers of religion!'"
said Mrs. Mackinnon, in a tone of horror which
Indeed. yes" said Mrs. Talboys. with an ex-
ultiIng voice: Are not the days for such tram
"Bu yet you hold by Christianity p.
perjury, BY Hypocrisy and verbose genunection.
Can I not Worship and say my prayers among
o seH SsT sna the Ii h Aaa sas S eRand slIs sG the lofty
M .sqs ida rs goes ,i 70 church %ss her said ssusb Mrs.
barriers may affect the%;slyss; st!I MAINTAIN
Mrs. tTalboys; dear Ida! her soft spirit is not
yet adapted. 10 receive Che perfect truth. We
OF their prejudices." And then she moved
away, for It was seldom that Mrs. Telboys re-
her. He liked her ~fattery, and at first declared
was too purely celestial 10 satisfy his nun.
dane tastes. Mackinnon himself can revel
cam O leave we US uiO0s sometimes in doubt Whether her
he ever means to come back TO earth; but when
his foo. is on terra h rP;.h he loves 70 e., feel the
With women he likes a hand that can remain
an unnecessary moment within his own, an eye
trembie within his own beneath tho mOoniight
ment alone will not sufice for him: Mrs.Talboys
did, believe, drink her glass Of Champagne, as
ing effect. IL loosened only her tongue, but never
her eye. Her arm, never trem6led. and her
safe. and happy, perhaps, in his solitary safety;
IL SO happened that We had unfortunately
sSsiT gi US two o SFsisss who whom had bs sgsf Ssfoss m ws5h
toned, was one of them. In his case, believe
him to have been almost as free from blame asa
However. he had a wife in ireland some ten
years older than himself, and, though he might
neighbors we're we'll aware Of Il. In the other
case the whole fault probably vas With the hus-
clever enough, but without principle, and he
was continually guilty OF the great sin Of
speaking evil OF the woman whose nhmo No
should have been anxious 10 protect. In both
cases our friend Mrs. Talboys took . warm in
terest, and in each she sympsthized with the
present husband against the absent wife.
or the consolation which she offered In the
latter instance we used TO hear something from
Mackinnon. He would repeat TO his wife, and
20 me and my wife, the conversations which she
had with him, Poor Brown" she would say;
A" ! pity him with my very hearts blood"
"Iou are aware that he has comforted him. |
self In his desOlation," Mackinnon replied.
II know very we'll to what you allude,
/ think I may say that I am conyersAnt with ali
the circumstances of this heart blighting sacri-
nca" Mrs. Talboys was apt to boast OF the
In whom she took an interest. Yes, he has
sought such comfort In another love as the
hard. cruel world would allow him."
OF perhaps something more Than that said
you know; two little babies"
- know II, | know It," she said. "Cherub
the ugly face Of Marcus Aureiius, for they
TeTs stapdi1E at the moment under The
SAmPidoglio. II have seen them and they are
the children Of innocence. III all the blood OF
all the HowArds ran In their veins Ii could not