Year: 1877

1t was Just in the shadow of the
ruined wall which lowered above the
Glue shining waters of the river, and
when the tide was high dropped down
the long. trailing ivy vine to kiss the
laughing wave-thcy sat, two women I,
One, with her arms resting upon a
broken column. her dark eyes with the
memory OF long ago stirring their bril-
liaucy into life. gazcd afar out at the
hoati2g clouds, her face sad reflection
OF the past while the other, many
years younger, half knelt at her feet,
and with smile upon her red lips. and
the light Of hope in her glorious eyes,
played with the light moss upon the
bank beside her.


1t was perfect picture; for the twi-
light crept in and fell across the fore
ground just enough to bring the Won
derous beauty into relief


To the artist eyes of Ralph Bertram,
who, wandering down the river bank,
came upon them, it was perfect har-
mony Of light and shad--an exact
subject for a masterpiece Then aud
there he sat down, and sketched until
the darkness shrouded the whole and
shut it out from view He took his
sketch home. aud for hours sat and
gazed upon 1t enraptured with the
glorious beauty Of the faces Who are
they, or rather who was she? Who
was the girl with her dreamy, happy
face. aud dark. melting eyes, with their
hopetulncss aud trusty


When morning dawned he went down
again to the rivers bank, and watched
for hours but they never came. He
inquired Of every passer but no one
knew them. One would say, "Ah. yes,
l have never seen them-two women,
one old and sad. the other young and
happy. i do not know their names"


And another would declare he never
WAS aware of their existence and thus
Ralph found his search a vain one.


lie went OH working day and night
upon his picture, and at last it was
complete ; aud when he went up to his
studio, in the city. and placed it there.
his friends held up their hands in ad.
miration and worshiped it; and before
many days it found place in the most
renowned art gallery, and all the world
went crazy eyer 1T.


Thus Ralph Bertram became cele-
brated; and orders came upon him
faster than he could fill them He be-
came the lion of the season and far
and near his praises were sung. But
to him 1t was as nothing when thoughts
of his beloved picture came and hour
after hour he sat and gazed upon that
beautiful face like one entranccd.


IL believe. Mr. Bertram, that you arc
positively in love with that face - said
Il belle, As she came upon him in the
gallery. WAS it from life or from
your imagination that you painted it ?"


From life"


impossible L: must have been q
dream, No living woman was ever
blessed with such beauty"


"Yes. one -


The lady went away, and before
night oDe-half the world was Jealous
of his picture and declared him crazy.


at must be 50. for no woman ever
possessed such rare beauty. 1t was o
dream, q mere hallucination
Bertram heard it all and laughed
sPerchance the day might come when
he could bring this wondrous beauty
before them, aud convince them; aud
with this hope he labored and sought
her far and wide


1t was cold, bitter night. and round
the corner, the wind swept, bringing
with it fearful gusts of hard. cutting
sleet, and penetrating to the bone,
every unfortunate being who chaLced
TO be abroad. Bertram came briskly
down the street from his studio, warm
ly wrapped in heavy coat. with
yison of his pleasant rooms before HIM,
and lightly humming an opera. He
had turned from the prime: pal street.
and Was walking along where all was
quiet, when he suddenly came upon two
women, who stood near the iron railing
in front of the house


Mother" said one, lit is but little
further DO try to keep up. Here,
lean upon me, Mother, mother :"


She was vainly trying to support the
sinking form, but not all her strength
could prevent her from falling. Aud
Betram sprang forward in time To re-
ceive her in his strong arms as she fell
back.


Mother. oh, my mother" was the
wild. despsiripg cry


Don't he alarmed, Miss. She has
only tainted. NV abode is here near
at hand. and if you will assist me,
will take your mother there"


The young woman obcyed him with
out word, aud with her assistance
Ralph bore the senseless form To his
apartments There was no light in the
room. and after placing the insnimste
form upon the aofa, he lighted the gas
As the soft radiance shonc through the
room, he srrang back with All exclama-
tion of surprise and delight. HIS pic
ture, The face Of his idolized one, At
the sound. the younger started up and
looked toward him. How beautiful
she was. with her hat falling back and
the damp waves of chesnut hair cling
inc TO her broad white forehead, and
the great lustrous eyes fixed upon him
in wonder. Ber,ram could not speak.


MY mother" she began. with quiv-
ering lips.


Pardon me- forgot myself"


And he brought wine. cordisls, and
he lahored until the blood stole back IN
little flushes, and the dark eyes opened.
For several moments she did not seem
TO understand the strange surroundings;
but when the youngest spoke she said.