The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-04-08
them was painted with q fidelity that

In the younger, all the robustness OF
the fathers type was lost in languidly
self-conscious prettiness-a sort of So
ductive innocence slillfully sustained
"a subtle disingenuousness only too
well forcshadowed in the mothers form
and feature.
But in the elder the pure beauty of
complexion and temperament was all
unsullied and alive, radiating from every
glance of her full and honest eyes, every
motion of her strong, straight shoul-
dered figure, every culver of her
happy smile. Her crisp, chest
nut-brown lair was pushed back
wavily from her forehead; all the deli
cate and changeful lines of the temples
We're like Teddy's. 1t was as if nature
herself had tried to make some tender
compensation and atonement to him for
what had died out Of his own life; and
yet the very effort wore an aspect of
retribution. for in this rudy girls face
he must see daily what he once was and
what ne might have been. She grew
ever more beautiful before him-a wit
HtSS. Il It DIOdCl. IuOcheTN.
This face, that once was his, now liv-
ing again in his own flesh and blood,
Teddy mad reproduced with all the ten
derness of line and color which he had
brought over from his happiest years.
But to the sightseers of to-daythc'w WAR s
was only one pretty picture among
many. They buzzed impartially round
the easels with their ignorant praise
and silly comparisons of this and that
pose or texture. | could not turn from
those girls faces to the large vulgarity
of commissioner portrature l had
known and loved the dead soul that
looked out so CHASTITY cold from the
brilliant society pictures, and the mock
ing, shallow faces Of the women; the
bold, stolid, brutal portraits of the
men.
Suddenly, in lull of general CONVEX
sation. noticed am old gentleman talk
ing eagerly behind me to Sir Edwards
girls.
20, that's Templecombe, mammals
old home" one of them had said, follow
ing the visitors glance to a small water
color landscape on the wall, little gem
of pure color, lighting mp all the end of
the room.
"Dearme!" he exclaimed, why, that's
lovely bit of country, and perfectly
familiar to M! I've spent many a sum-
mer close to that very spot"
Papa has lot of sketches done at
IemplecOmbe,' said the elder girl
before he took to portrait painting"
added the younger, with little laugh
--''would you like to see them?"
In a moment they had hunted up an
cid portfolio, dragging it from some OBJ
scure corner, with apologies to the
seated guests: $50 sorry, Mrs. Fitz-
herbert, excuse me one moment. No,
pray, don't move. Mr.. Sinclair, it's only
that portfolio behind the curtain. O,
thanks, so much"
And as Sir Edwin turned from the
canvas whereon his latest duchess
CLEANED in her satins and her Jewels,
Il bright shower of his own early
sketches was suddenly rained down at
his feet amidst a chorus of little cries
OF trepidation and delight. He uttered
quick and almost pettish protest
against their being shown. His daugh-
ter made some light excuse for her
clumsincss, and the guests bounced
upon the tiuttering sheets as they fell
a floating pageant of blue skies and
sweet blossoms, a valley-full of spring
the vigor of untainted youth and honest
JOY.
Then l said Il cruel thing. 1 was
angry to see him so altered-to see the
wreck she had made of his early genius
I was angry with him for having
yielded, and with myself for not hav-
ing somehow saved him from that mar
tyrdom. Pray, let us have them out
on the table" l pleaded; they will
illustrate the development of your art
in these 20 years"
l could have kicked myself when l
saw the effect of my untimely sar-
casm on Teddy. With one swift glance
of reproach at me he drew back and
turned his changed face to the win
dow. Bitter shadows of pain and hope
less remorse passed over it; then flood
of memories seemed 10 sweep him back
into other years, and as | looked more
pityingly at the features | had loved,
and saw them still responsive to the
high dreams and visions of the past,
suddenly in the soft spring light it
seemed as if the old Teddy-our bright,
glorious Teddy, with his blue eyes and
brown hair. and his delicate lips quiver-
ing with the old, tender smile-stood
again before us, with the sunshine of
youth upon him and the promise of a
nobler fame than this. But in another
moment he had resumed the mask
which | had so r4hessly torn away.
tried to Shield him with a rush of light
chatter, as one. tries to re-vcil a dead
face that has been rudely uncovered.
Then the garrulous farewells began.
"Good-by, Sir Edwin" said the old
gentleman of Templecombe, "aad
thank you very heartily for the treat
you've given us. Those charming little
water-colors-you mustn't hide them
away like that, you know! I'm sure
they will bear comparison with your
very best work. And the young ladies,
foo, what a perfect pair they make!
But really the portrait of the duchess
is your InaSterDiece Don't Won think