New-York tribune., 1896-10-25
THE TRAGIC MUSE.

gers, wide wash OF mud ana ram oii o'l. ~ ' a
Of the door; the other CAIN anu sieh'c anu
eternal visions of beauty ..
II was :, o'clock on a wild February afternoon
and Cyril EvcrsciGh. weary Of lighting WIN IN
wind and water turned In through the gates OF
Burlington House, and. having recovered pica'm @
and composure II the yestibue' nhus M i "ui Ci,
up to the galleries He had visited the oli
Masters Exhibition many times already. ana
yet there were only two pictures that ne cared
to look at-Sir Joshua's Tragic Muse anu o,,,' "
bodied the delight of MS life and the other ITS
Inspiration. - l., ~
nroached the sacred spot. but suddenly he
paused and stood still for a moment WIN
startled air. Then hurrying forward he stood
before the sofa that was placed opposite 10 the
pictures that he sought.
Lady Caryon!" he exclaimed. This is the
tfrst time that have ever seen you In picture
DO you think. then, that have no love for
hrt?"
you as worshipping alone. ! coulu never asso-
ciate you with the idea of crowd
"At least there is crowd here to-day. she
said with q slight smile that touched the pure
serenity of her face like sunbeam
He glanced round with an answering smile;
The room empty of all except thenseiVes'
and there was sound but their own voices TO
break the stiffness.
You are right" he said but ] am no'
wrong There Is no one here at this moment.
but rooms that are open to the public are always
crowded: they throngcd with memories OF
past mutitudes even when they are empty OF
"A
serted temple the only fanes where you
"Do YOU ever own yourself in the wrong?'
she asked putting by the rest OF his speech as
though she had not heard 1t.
always. when you correct me-. he said: ana
accepting unspoken invitation whch ne
hoped for rather than OWNED. ne sat down near
her the couch and fell into a sudden Sllence.
The presence at his side was certainly one 10
uieze and c fold all those who came into con-
tact with IT, Man. women are possessed OF
graceful forms of soft. waving hair and dark
eyes under long. dropping lashes but there was
something in Lady Carlyons look and bearing
that marked her out as separate from an oth-
ers There majesty in her broad lore
head and ming'"d dignity and sweetness IN her
glance that had made her the dream or many
a poet and the inspiration of many man Oh
action. ,-,uo,,.,, T.,
her ever since he had first met her HIS fatner
was dead and ne had come into his estates while
still minor: his house was large ana lonely,
and he had a strong taste for political ii1e lie
had therefore sought an early election and now
spent most of his time In London. where one
Of his first introductons had been to the young
and childless widow Of Lord Caryon. whom all
London knew. all London admired. and after
Whom half the eligible world of London had
"She will never marry again was the gen
eraI verdict. she was born for the universe
and not for mankind
ut is just year since first saw you sald
Cyril breaking the silence al last. do you re.
member our first conversation? ] was fun or
crude fancies and cruder opinions c9nVlncea ,',',
that Oxford had taught me all that books could
teach, and that voyage round the world had
made me perfectly acquainted with men and
manners. And then you spoke to me- ana the
scales dropped from my eyes.
I'VE all have q discipline to go thro ugh. she
replied I'VE are very useless members OF So
Ciety until we have shed our carry preJudlces'
] know that well" ,,-,-,-,. .,.,..
you cannot know it by experience That is re-
served for bundering mortals. You were
born on height
He spoke ferventy; but there was no answer
ing light in her face and she sighed.
"You look unbelieving" he said "but you can
not help knowing what YOU have been to me.
Or II you do not know II, let me tell you now
DO you see that picture? come TO look at that
Tragic Muse that | may be reminded OF YOU
Sir Joshua was painter. but he was prophet
as we'll. for ne looked through the coming years
and copied the divine power or your brow upon
his canvas"
There moments pause as he looked at
her with triumphant daring.
''You must not talk so wildly she said al
last -, -,-- ....
hess You have moulded and guided my HE
ever since knew YOU. BY looking up to you
have learned to estimate myself.
THAT is not the true way of adjusting your
FOCUS" she said, striving to hide the slight
confusion In her manner with smile
1T is the true way for me. whatever II may
be for the rest or me Morlu 1ook "a av rom
self-and now | want you to teach me some
thing else. have not seen you once this year
or | should have been tempted to speak to YOU
before; but our meeting here to-day must be
providential because il seems like an accident
A faint flush passed over the beautiful race :
but he was too absorbed to notice it, nor did he
bee the trembling of the delicate fingers that
held the catalogue.
.'My life has always seemed too full TO know
any unsatisfied moments. he went on: nut l
have found out at last that there Is something
sweeter than work and dearer than ambition. !
am glad that I have had no time FOR fancies. for
now the whole strength of my nature can pass
His voice fingered over the last word as
a
1ts echo seemed to remain in the air after he
had done speaking. Her eyes were hXed upon
the floor and there exquisite tremor
about her lips that many man would have
Given all the world TO see.
you have made my life what II is" he said;
land so | come to YOU now. Turn your eyes
Hhis way: do you see that picture?'
She started but so slightly that he did not
perceive II, and turned in the direction to which
ne pointed No picture could be more unlike the
one at which they had been looling-the sun
shine OF the calm English landscape the pink
hands holding flower. the mingled shyness
and coquetry of the glance all were worlds
She did not speak the flush died away from her
face. her trembling lips were reset in their
Fonted line of frmness. and she waited calmly
Tor his words
"You guess my secret. OF course? Yes-love
has come to me at last That is she. my sweet
est rosebud! come to look at her when nave
sought the aid OF my Oracle
He pointed smilingly toward the other picture
and again he missed the quick shudder that
went through the stately form at his side.
1T was only last Christmas that met her
you know. ! went down with George Atherton
TO his uncle's place: Rose Atherton. 1t sounds
like a poem doesn't It. But she is the dearest
bit Of human nature. and she has the prettiest
little ways l ever saw. ! hold 10 the old-fash-
Toned idea that the husband ought to protect
and cherish the wife something too tender
and precious for the rough ways OF the world
I am afraid you will think that ] am making
myself rather ridiculous" he added. with some
embarrassment creeping into his tone. "Tou
are so far above all that no man would ever
dare to ask you to look up to him. even
dream Of protecting you We only lie al
the foot Of your throne and ask for counsel and
guidance.