The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-01-18
IAN Unprofessional Model

M uPAVASSSAV11UA lNVuVl
The sun declining on the coast of Nor
way made the wide ford simmer like liquid
gold below the purple mountains.
Christine sat at the foot of the cliff dream
ing-not that she was asleep. but lost in
reverie The sun made her long braided
hair shine like halo as she rested her
cheek on her hand and dreamed Her
thoughts were far away and she did not no.
tice that some one had quietly rowed his
boat within short distance of where she
sat- He was evidently an artist. for at his
feet in the boat lay an open portfolio
He dropped his oars entranced at the I'M
expected and lovely vision. The flower like
face of the girl, the quaint costume-a short
brown wooden skirt, a chemisette of snowy
linen, black velvet bodice and red stock
ing cap on her cleaning hair.
What a study for his next exhibition.
Snatching his pencil, he made hasty sketch
OF the little figure. with the cliffs looming
up behind the placid water almost touching
her feet. She was surely fairy of this land
OF romance, and presently the little elves
would come to seek her. He could almost
fancy them whispering to her now. Having
finished the sketch, he gently rowed ashore
Christine started with surprise as he
leaped from the boat, but was treasured by
the respectful manner in which he addressed
her.
Il beg your pardon for intruding," said he
politely. II had no idea there was anyone,
in this region but myself. But will you
kindly tell me the name of this place? It
is marvelously beautiful" and he sat down
on a rock near by
/, THAT is the Naerofjord, she replied, and
her eyes seemed fathoms deep as she spoke.
1T is very beautiful, but a sad thing hap
pened here"
What was that? Do tell me-" he asked,
at the same time making mental notes of the
lovely model he intended to reproduce on
the other side of the sea.
Many years ago." she went on, "a beau
tiful maiden lived on this mountain, and she
sang so sweetly in the evening that all were
charmed who. listened to her. She was
merry and happy, and her songs were CAV
as any birds. But one day stranger came
in his boat-even as you come now-and
hearing the maiden singing as she sat here,
he praised her voice and said many things
which pleased her. And after that they met
here every evening during the summer time,
and she was. so happy, she sung only for love
of him. Though he lived in distant coun-
try, she consented to become his bride. He
promised to come for her when the leaves
fell In the forest but he did not come The
snow covered the mountains and the spring
melted 1t, and then she knew she would
see him no more. And her sad songs seemed
like moan as the wind carried them out
to sea, till one night a terrible storm swept
the ford and the girl did not come home.
They found her there by the rock in the
morning, where the waves had washed her
BODY on the sand And some say that on
stormy nights you can hear her moaning by
the cliffs. for she still mourns for the lover
who promised to come. I never sit here at
sunset but l think of her,
Thank you," responded the artist. 81
didn't know the story. but 1 can quite be-
lieve it Of such place as this Do YOU live
on the mountain?'' and he noted the small
feet and the delicate hands, which did not
look as II they had ever done much work
Yes. l have lived here with grandfather
since l was little child. My parents were
lost at sea- Would you like to see grand
father?' she asked, without shadow of
mustrust or apprehension. He is very fond
of company
The artist readily asserting Christine led
him through the gorge to the other side of
the mountain, where fine old house stood
in Its shelter.
The old sailor looked a true descendant
u eAAo sAnAA6S' DIS NC sat IN the porch, from
where he could view the ford in all it's
changing majesty.
He welcomed the traveller royalty. and a
servant brought him a drought of wine and
some curious corrections Christine sat at
her grandfather's feet listening to his won
derfu1 tales of the northern seas and tho
moon was high in the heavens when the ar
list departed after promising the old man to
return the next day for sail in his oueer
looking vessel
The rooms of the Art club were thronpod
with artists. connoisseurs, patrons and mon
of wealth and fashion
IN one corner a butterfly group Of pirls'
lowered round a canvas marked "384''
"Oh, what is that?" did YOU ever SOC
anything SO charming?' What lovely
hair!' What is it called?,
The catalogue answered the ouest;on
An Evening Dream in Norway. nv n
B."
Suddenly there was a hush, and the adj
mfrlng group turned to look at a fair, COL
den- haired girl who had just entered talking
to a distinguished looking man. Though
dressed in the prevailing fashion. there
could be no installing her. She was nm
donbtedly the original of the Norweeiar
maiden in 1884
Not without result had this man with the
keen sense of romance spent two months
amid the enchanting atmosphere Of the Nor
wegian lakes and mountains, in comnanv
with the grand old Norseman and his lovely
granddaughter. Unlike the lover in the an
cient legend, he did not promise to return