Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-12-30

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What a pity to sell it," she said
| why did you do 500"
| Il sold it for two reasons. | wanted
money and | could not work while it
was in the room. Have you never
heard of the diamond cutters in
Amsterdam, Miss Newton? Sometimes
a man will get enamored of stone If
it be fine and pure, and the overseer
has to take it from him and set MIN to
work on smaller and less fascinating
gems. 1t was so with me- While
the statue remained in the shadow
could not tear myself from it, but, like
| Pygmalion, spent all my days in vain
| longing that the cold marble might be-
come endued with life and return me
| love for love"
| His voice had grown dangerously
soft and thrilling and Stella, looking
up at him flushed beneath the wistful
tenderness of his gaze.
| Toto whom did you sell it," she
asked.
ITO Lord Marmion,' he answered.
Stella started, turned pale, and bent
| her eyes to the ground.
| He saw her embarrassment
You know him?" he asked, with
some surprise and a slightly height
ened color
YES" she replied.
And you have seen my statue?"
Yes" she answered again, more
family.
Then the secret is out" he said,
with hurried, tremulous music in
his voice. Miss Newton-SteIla! can
you forgive me?"
lido not ask me, pleased" she re-
turned, growing crimson and pale by
turns. Tt cannot say. do not know.
Let us talk of something else. May
| look at that slab?' and with nerv-
Gus haste she turned her face from
him and approached the dias.
He followed her, his eyes fixed upon
her face, his lips slightly apart, and
his whole attitude expressive of devo-
ton.
Stella bent forward and looked at
the unfinished marble.
you see what it is" he said in a
low voice. ut is a group-a family
group of happy girls and an old man.
They are gathered around Christmas
fire listening to a Christmas story
which is being told by the best and
most beautiful of them all. She Is not
cut out yet-there on that plain spot
she is to Standard while she is
there, with her beautiful face and low
| ing smile resting like sunlight upon
the faces of the rest, the group will be
finished
Stella turned her face to him for a
moment, with a strong effort at calm
| Indifference, but the effort broke down
and her eyes sought the ground.
do you know the originals of the
group? Do you recognize them and
the missing face and figure? HOW shah
l insert that? Look in the mirror yon-
| der and cease to wonder that l hest
| tate and feel my skill powerless and
my chisel profane when it approaches
the portraiture of such beauty. Miss
Newton, do not be angered-nay,
rather than anger you should feel pity
for the unfortunate creature who loves
and yet cannot allow himself to
hOpe!"
Stella turned toward him and
opened her lips. She should have re-
manned motionless for her movement
gave him courage.
Stella" he breathed, leaning over
her and taking her hand, would you
tell me that I am wrong in withhold
ing the last atom of perfection to the
whole? Would you tell me that to
your loneliness and purity you add
tender heart and a noble courage?
Were you going to tell me that l, the
poor sculptor, might hope? Oh! If you
were, pray you to speak on that you
may know the ineffable delight of
making one heart in the world perfect
you do not bid me be silent; you let
me say love you. Oh! my darling, my
goddess, crown me withjoy, and tell |
me that not only love but am loved"
Stella stood near the raised dias, |
Louis Felton's knee dropped on it, and
he drew the white warm hand, which |
he still held down to his lips.
Stella tried to take it away.
Don't take it away from me, Stel-
la," he pleaded. Let it remain; let |
it, at least, whisper r me that you
love me if your lips will not say So"
Stella hesitated for a second, and |
let it remain.
He sprang up and very audaciously |
caught her in his arms.
MY own, my very only beautiful |
one! My statue has turned to life and
lover
. Stella's eyes filled with tears.
stop" said she dropping her head |
on to his breast and looking up at him |
with fearful but wondrously loving |
eyes. Il am not your own, for they will |
not let me be! Do you know the story |
was telling on Christmas night
that blessed Christmas night when / |
first saw you?"
NO." he murmured, you saw me
before then, and l you"
ado you know" she went on, 81 was
elling them Of the princess who was
lot allowed to wed where she loved |
nd l thought-will you think me rude
inwomanly and forward THAT, per-
nance l might be that princess, and
nat you-don't stop me, l must say it
that you would have to leave me for