Evans_Macaria.txt topic ['13', '324', '378', '393']
the light where can see you fully. worn and weary
you look! suspect am regaining my health at the expense of yours."
"; am as well in body as could desire. no doubt my anxiety has
left its traces on my countenance."
leaned over 's chair, and stroked back the artist's shining
hair.
" wish you would let me see the papers. eyes are strong enough now, and
want to know exactly what has taken place everywhere during my sickness.
seems to me impossible that 's army can face 's much
longer without bringing on a battle, and am so anxious about .
he should be hurt, of course, must go to him. is very strange that he
has not written. you sure no letters came for me?"
" are no letters, am sure; but have a message for you. have seen
him once since you were taken sick."
"! what is it? heard that was ill, and came to see me, suppose.
was he here?"
bent down and kissed her companion tremulously, saying slowly--
" desired me to kiss you for him. , have not told you before
because feared the effect upon you in your weak state; but there have
been desperate battles around during your illness, and the
have been defeated--driven back to river."
" wounded? -- understand it all now! is he? ! tell
me that may go to him."
sprang up, but a deathlike pallor overspread her face and she tottered
to the open window.
followed the thin figure, and, putting her arms about her, made her
lean against her.
" was wounded on the last day, and went to see him; you were then
delirious."
" me go at once! will not disturb him; will control myself! let
me see him to-day!"
", you cannot see him. has gone to his ; but in his dying hour
he spoke of you fondly, sent love, and----"
form reeled, drooped, shivered, and fell back insensible in 's
arms.
heavy was the swoon, that it seemed as if her spirit had fled to join
her cousin's in endless union; but at length consciousness returned, and
with it came the woeful realization of her loss. long, low wail rose and
fell upon the air, like the cry from lips of feeble, suffering, helpless
children, and her head sank upon the shoulder of the sad-faced nurse, whose
grief could find no expression in sobs, or moans, or tears.
"! dead! and shall see his dear face no more! ! why did you not let
me die, too? is my wretched life worth now? grave might have held
us both! noble, peerless ! the light of my solitary life! !
be merciful! take me with my idol! me now!"
tenderly and caressingly endeavoured to soothe her--detailed the
circumstances of her cousin's death, and pointed her despairing soul to a
final reunion.
no rift appeared in the artist's black sky of sorrow; she had not yet
learned that, in drawing near the hand that holds the rod, the blow is
lightened, and she bitterly demanded of her to be released from the
burden of life.
" "
sunlight of a warm spring day flashed through the open window, and made
golden arabesque tracery on the walls, and portraits of the parlour at
. costly crimson damask curtains had long since been cut
into shirts for the soldiers, and transported to the army of , and
air and sunshine entered unimpeded. sat before her canvas in this
room, absorbed in the design which now engaged every thought. witchery
of her profession had woven its spell about her, banishing for a time the
spectral past.
extension of the statute had, several months before,
deprived of a valued and trusty overseer; and to satisfy herself
concerning the character of his successor, and the condition of affairs at
home, she and her uncle had returned to ----, bringing with them.
was with in the parlour.
" progress are you making, ?"
" little. shall not hurry myself; intend that the execution shall
be equal to my ideal--and that ideal entirely worthy of the theme. want
to lay my '_ _,' as the first offering of art, upon
my country's altar, as a nucleus around which nobler and grander pictures,
from the hands of my countrymen and women, shall cluster."
", in order to effect this 'consummation devoutly to be wished,' it
is necessary that the primary branches of should be popularized, and
thrown open to the masses; and in order to open for them new avenues of
support, have determined to establish in ---- a of for
--similar in plan, though more extensive, than that founded some years
ago by . of . upper portion of the building will
be arranged for drawing classes, wood-engraving, and the various branches
of ; and the lower, corresponding in size and general appearance,
intend for a circulating library for our county. that of
want you to preside; your talents, your education, your devotion to your
fit you peculiarly for the position. salary shall be such as to
compensate you for your services; and, when calmer days dawn upon us, we
may be able to secure some very valuable lecturers among our
gentlemen-artists. have a large lot on the corner of and
, opposite the court-house, which will be a fine location
for it, and wish to appropriate it to this purpose. you are
adorning the interior of the building, the walls of which are to contain
frescoes of some of the most impressive scenes of our , will
embellish the grounds in front, and make them my special charge.
understand the cultivation of flowers, though the gift of painting them is
denied me. sold my diamonds for a much larger amount than
supposed they would command, and this sum, added to other funds now at my
disposal, will enable me to accomplish the scheme. . and
cordially approve my plan, will aid me very liberally, and as soon as
tranquillity is restored shall succeed in erecting the building without
applying to any one else for assistance. your picture is finished,
wish you to make me a copy to be hung up in our of , that the
students may be constantly reminded of the debt of gratitude we owe our
armies."
canvas, which she leaned forward to inspect more closely, contained an
allegorical design representing, in the foreground, two female figures.
stern, yet noble-featured, crowned with stars--triumph and exultation
flashing in the luminous eyes. , crimson-mantled, grasping the
of the , whose victorious folds streamed above a
captured battery, where a flag trailed in the dust. her side
stood white-robed, angelic with one hand over the touch-hole of the
cannon against which she leaned, and the other extended in benediction.
the faces contrasted--one all athrob with national pride, beaming
with brilliant destiny; the other wonderfully serene and holy. the
distance, gleaming in the evening light which streamed from the , tents
dotted a hill-side; and, intermediate between and the glittering
tents, stretched a torn, stained battlefield, over which the roar and rush
of conflict had just swept, leaving mangled heaps of dead in attestation of
its fury.
" many months do you suppose it will require to complete it?" asked
, whose interest in the picture was scarcely inferior to that of its
creator.
" work steadily upon it, can soon finish it; but if go with you to
a hospital, must, of course, leave it here until the war ends.
all, , the joy of success does not equal that which attends the
patient working. it is because 'anticipation is the purest part of
pleasure.' love my work; no man or woman ever loved it better; and yet
there is a painful feeling of isolation, of loneliness, which steals over
me sometimes, and chills all my enthusiasm. is so mournful to know that,
when the labour is ended, and a new chaplet encircles my brow, shall have
no one but you to whom can turn for sympathy in my triumph. feel
this so keenly now, how shall bear it when the glow of life fades into
sober twilight shadows, and age creeps upon me?"
threw down her brush and palette, and, turning towards her companion,
leaned her purplish head against her.
", it is very true that single women have trials for which a
thoughtless, happy world has little sympathy. lonely lives are not
necessarily joyless; they should be, of all others, most useful.
" that the woman who dares to live alone, and be sneered at, is
braver, and nobler, and better than she who escapes both in a loveless
marriage. is true that you and are very lonely, and yet our future
holds much that is bright. have the profession you love so well, and
our new of to engage your thoughts; and a thousand claims
on my time and attention. have to take care of and to love,
and . , who is growing quite infirm, has promised me that, as soon
as he can be spared from the hospitals, he will make his home with us.
this storm of war has spent itself, your uncle's family will return from
and reside here with you. , too, will come to ---- to
live--will probably take charge of . 's church--and we shall have
the pleasure and benefit of his constant counsel. could see you a
member of that church should be better satisfied--and you would be
happier."
" would join to-morrow, if thereby could acquire your sublime faith, and
strength, and resignation. , ! my friend and comforter! want to
live differently in future. was wedded to life and my
--pre-eminence in my profession, fame, was all that cared to attain;
now desire to spend my remaining years so that may meet beyond
the grave. death broke the ties that bound me to this world; live now
in hope of reunion in 's eternal kingdom. have been selfish, and
careless, and complaining; but, oh! want to do my whole duty henceforth.
, my calm, sweet, patient guide, teach me to be more like you."
", take for your model, instead of an erring human being like
yourself, constantly falling short of her own duty. to direct
us, we ought to accomplish a world of good, here in sight of 's
grave."
eyes of the artist went back to the stainless robes and seraphic face
of her pictured in the loved " ," and, as she resumed
her work, her brow cleared, the countenance kindled as in days of yore,
bitter memories hushed their moans and fell asleep at the wizard touch of
her profession, and the stormy, stricken soul found balm and rest in
-appointed .
at the back of 's chair, with one hand resting on her
shoulder, raised her holy violet eyes, and looked through the window
toward the cemetery, where glittered a tall marble shaft which the citizens
of ---- had erected over the last quiet resting-place of .
of were drifting stealthily around the crumbling idols of the
morning of life, levelling and tenderly shrouding the , but sorrow left
its softening shadow on the orphan's countenance, and laid its chastening
finger about the lips which meekly murmured: " will be done." rays
of the setting sun gilded her mourning dress, gleamed in the white roses
that breathed their perfume in her rippling hair, and lingered like a
benediction on the placid pure face of the lonely woman who had survived
every earthly hope; and who, calmly fronting her of , here
dedicated herself anew to the hallowed work of promoting the happiness and
gladdening the paths of all who journeyed with her down the chequered
aisles of .