The state herald., 1895-12-27

!: ): :; !: !: !: !: :: s.; !:
her door. Like
nearly all persons
In this line of work she took up paint
Ing. first for the love of 1t, and after
ward as means Of livelihood. To be
sure she loved 1t, yet, but sometimes
she had to work at It when her hands
We're weary and her eyes panied. 1t
Wits at the close of the year. She had
had hard months work filling Christ
mis- and New Years orders, and when
New Years eve came and others were
ENJOYING themselves in various ways she
sat alone In her little room, which
served both as studio and a living
room. too weary to light her lamp or
prepare her evening meal. She gazed
at picture Just finished, a scene of her
childhood and young womanhood
haunts. Her thoughts went back to
those happy days when not thought
Of care cast shadow on her young life.
She thought Of herself when. in the ex-
uberance Of youth. she pictured her flu
ture In brightest colors. She had
hoped in those days to reach the fame
Of Raphael or Michael Angelo.
Friends, she had scores; lovers, she
had not a few; but she answered to
their applications:
mo. am welded to my art. It fills
my heart. my life. my being. l have
room for naught else"
| But there came day when she met
one whose love she reciprocated and
she was happier than ever before. She
asked herself How can l give him
up. and. how can l give up my long
cherished hopes to devote my life to
this work." And she pondered over
1t until she became pale and thin and
ambition finally conquered.
1t was to this part Of her life In par
tieular that her mind reverted. Be
meath the spreading branches Of this
stately elm" she murmured, as she
gazed dreamily and tearfully through
the growing dusk at the painting no
fore her, "he told me of his love. The
Eorrowful expression upon his face. as
told him could never be his wife,
haunts me still. oh. was l right?
have not succeeded as l desired. My
lame has not reached foreign countries
have spent many lonely hours here;
no husband to encourage me In my
work, to cheer me with his love. No
loving little arms to encircle my neck (;
40 lips to press my own. No one to
.ympathize with mo. when am weary
and discouraged. Oh. have made n
mistake? And where is Georgeg Has
his life been wasted? Has he been
true to me as he said he would be?
/ All. l have not only missed something
In my own life but have perhaps made
wreck of his. o. Father. pray Thee.
forgive me II | have been too ambi-
| tious."
The little artist clasped her worn
/ hands In her lap and closed her eyes
/ In slumber The fire In the crate
burned lower and lower; but the moons
rays shed halo OF light about her head.
/ She dreamed that she was once more a
| maiden fair and her lover was with
her. but when he commenced to whis-
per TO her the story Of love he was
suddenly called away. Thrice did he
attempt IL. and the last time her heart
thrilled with his burning words-but
she babe him go. Then she heard a
] voice saying:
Woman. knowest thou what thou
hast done7 Thou hast outraged not
! only thine own heart. but that OF the
man. For this sin shalt thou suffer-"
She dreamed again and she thought
/ she was at Heavens gate. Enter"
said a voice, but II was not that OF her
first dream. 1t was low and sweet and
said. Sister. thou hast fulfilled thy
tasks on earth. Thou couldst have
made happy home for myself: but 1t
was rejected, and instead thou hast
done many deeds of kindness to weary
and despondent ones. which loving acts
have like the ripplcs OF the sea. gone
on and on, only the Master knowctn
/ whittier Thou hast comforted the
| sick. helped the poor. made happy the
| little children: but stlll thy life Is not
complete. there awaits for thee erea,
| Joy"
The voice ceased. but she heard the
/ sound OF sweet music and far-off bells
like silyery wedding bells. Suddenly u
beautiful light shone above her. NO that
she closed her eyes and then she felt
the clasp OF hand and heard the voice
/ of one OF long ago saying,
Those on earth who are united In love
Cease not TO care for each other above
For their souls then united shall be
And they'll be M one through eternity"
She awoke. The distant chimes on
the cathedral were ioyously ringing In
the new year. The sound Of sweet
music could DO heard from afar, but no