Year: 1868

self on his bed, and when he next awokt
the rays of the risen sun had glided hi.
apartment.


His first object was to seek the mura
picture, and he trcmbled lest it had al
been dream but there it stood, as if exc
cuted by magic power.


6" If this is the result of an effort with
charcoal" cried he striking his breast in o
delirium of joy, "what might not effect
with other means; what might be my re-
ward?"


As daylight sought its slumbers in the
bosom Of night, the lovers were again to-
gether.


81 am doing wrong," murmurcd Nellie,
lin meeting you again. since [ am an afi-
anced bride. This nig ght must be our last.
1t is sad thing to part with those we love,
yet | act as virtue dictates, and we must
meet no more as"


Say not that We must meet no more
as lovers. Say that we shall meet no
more that will be sufficiently severe, for,
Nellie. could We meet but to love, to up
braid fate which so cruelty divides us ?"


81 must away" said the girl; eff
Quintin's affection is pure, he will condemn
me for tarrying."


Farewell, then, sweetest If I lose
thee [ will wander to some distant cline.
and strive to bury my regrets in new
scenes and amid new companions"


l. l.. L
lips. He watched her retiring form as it
appeared and disappeared amid the foliage
at intervals, till it was finally lost to his
anxious view, and then turned slowly and
sadly away.


Never did father love his daughter with
more fondness than Algina his child Mel.
lie. Her good was his great aim; and as
he was an enthusiast in the art the pencil,
he deemed that one of that profession would
be most worthy of his child. These two
passions of his soul mingled together in
such manner that they became but one.
He considered the canvass as lasting
monument for genius, and that he would
best consult his daughters happiness by
uniting her to one who would be alive to
all posterity by his works


Van Deg had been therefore selected, as
he was the boast of his country, and the
figures Of his creation wanted nothing bat
motion to make them such as their origin
ais. Besides, he was wealthy, and would
add to the afluencc of the family. Final
ly, his daughter was not old enough now to
choose for herself; and though she had
confessed that she was prejudiced against
her proposed husband, few years of con-
nubial intercourse would overcome that,
and that she would ultimately be benefit
ed.


Just as he was at this point of his re-
Elections on the ensuing day, letter-car-
rier entered his apartment and handed
him letter, saying he would wait without
for an answer, and been bound by an oath
not to disclose who had commissioned him
to deliver the communication.


Algina was astonished at these words
and as soon as the other retired, broke the
seal and read


"If the parent consulted the child's
happiness would he not seek from her if
she does not love another?" | think she
does. But if Van Deg is to possess the
fair being, may be mistaken. May her
marriage to the man of your choice not
hurry her to another world! Her obe-
dience causes her to submit | lay claim
to her affections; but with these do not
pretend to alter your determination. You
have the reputation of patronizing merit as
it appears in painting. Defer the nup-
tials to this day twelve-month, and let
Van Deg on that day place his chef danc-
re on the left of the altar. If the one
which appears on the right does not tell OF
more ski!lful master, l abide the result
If it does, then 1t Is but fair to leave TO
your daughter the privilege of choosing
her partner from the two"


The father was delighted with this prop
osition, as it suggested a trial of skill in
his favoritc study. He accordingly re-
turned word of his acceptance OF the
terms specified, and notified Van Deg
thereof.


a year passed away during which the
lovers never met. Nellie had lost sight
of Quintin, and in answer to her inquiries
concerning him, all she had been able to
learn was that shortly after their last iu-
terview he had left the city, and gone no
one knew whittier.


The day was now arrived when she was
to become wife. Sad to her were the
kind Offices of the bridesmaids who assisted
at the toilet; yet she sustained a smile up
on her face, although her soul was weigh.
ed down by grief.


The chapel was thronged by people anx.
ious to view the ceremony, as the bride
richly clad was led to the altar by her
father, the latter announced that her hand
was to be bestowed on the artist whose
skill was the most undeniable, to be de-
termined by the merit Of the pictures
which stood yelled on either side of the
altar. Van Deg glanced triumphan tly
around at this proclamation, and striding
to the picture he had painted, he un.
curtaiaed it to their view.


A burst Of applause rose from the aud.
fence as he did so, and well merited was
| that cry of apnrObatiOn