THE ARTIST'S SECRET.
Frederic Vernon sat in his studio, toying with his brush. The canvas
was before him, but he seemed to be in a brown study.
"What has got into me?" he asked himself, impatiently. "I cannot fix
my mind upon my work. I am no longer on the verge of destitution, or
compelled to labor for a mere pittance; yet my mind is less at ease
than when I hardly knew where the next day's food was to come from."
Vernon's circumstances had improved. He had taken a lighter and more
cheerful studio, and moved with his mother into better rooms. He was
no longer forced to court the penurious patronage of young ladies like
Miss Framley, and, thanks to the influence of Miss Dearborn, he was
never without some work in hand. Yet, though he ought to have been
cheerful, he found himself restless, and his work often had to wait
upon his moods.
"Frederic, what is the matter with you?" asked his mother, earnestly,
one day.
"Why do you ask, mother? I am well," he answered, evasively.
"You have lost your appetite, and your mind seems preoccupied. Is
anything troubling you?"
"Anything troubling me?" he asked, with a forced smile. "What a strange
idea!"
"Nay, my son; you cannot conceal it from your mother's eyes that
something is amiss with you. What is it?"
"I am sure I cannot tell, mother."
"Is not your work proceeding well, Frederic?"
"Oh, yes. I had another order to-day."
"You should look happy, then, my son. Compare your position to-day with
what it was three months since. Then----"
"I was almost a beggar, mother."
"True."
"Forced to paint portraits for mean, shoddy people for a mere song."
"Yes. But things have changed with you now, Frederic."
"Yes, thanks to Providence--and Grace Dearborn."
Unconsciously he pronounced this name with a tenderness which revealed
to his mother something that he had not intended she should know. A
look of intelligence overspread her face.
"I begin to see how it is, my boy," she said, gently.
"How what is, mother?"
"I think I understand what is the matter with you."
"Have you turned seeress?" he asked, smiling faintly.
"No; but I can minister to a mind diseased when I know the nature of
the disease."
"Well, what is my disease, mother mine?" he asked, lightly.
"Frederic, you are in love!"
"In love!" he repeated, flushing. "Then perhaps you can tell with whom
I am in love?"
"I think I can."
"Say on, mother."
"You love Grace Dearborn."
He started, and his face flushed.
"What makes you think that, mother?" he asked, slowly.
"Your face would tell me if I had no other evidence. Is it not true?"
"Well, mother, you have my secret," he answered, after a pause. "You
know my disease. Now canst thou minister to a mind diseased?"
"Perhaps so."
"I know what you would say. You would tell me to root out the foolish
fancy from my heart, and devote myself unflinchingly to my art. Well,
mother, I have tried it, and I have failed."
"You mistake me, Frederic. If you feel that your love for this young
lady is deep and earnest, such a love as comes but once in a life-time,
let her know of it, and give her a chance to accept or reject it."
"Mother, are you mad? Do you know that Grace Dearborn is a wealthy
heiress--that she moves in the most exclusive society of Chicago--that
she is admired by many who are rated as eligible matches?"
"Yes, I know all that--or I have guessed it from what you have told me.
And what then?"
"Do you think of the difference between us? What am I?"
"You are an artist, a gentleman, and a man of talent."
"Even were it so, I earn, for my entire income, less in all probability
than this young lady spends for her wardrobe in a single year."
"That may be, Frederic."
"And yet you bid me hope?"
"Yes, I bid you hope. If Miss Dearborn is what I think she is, she will
not set an undue estimate upon wealth. She will understand how many
vulgar and ill-bred men possess it, and will rate higher the talent,
the refinement, and the culture of a gentleman, and the good heart that
makes him ever a loyal and affectionate son. Such a man cannot fail to
make a desirable husband."
"Ah, mother," said Vernon, smiling, "you are a mother, and, like all
mothers, you overrate your son. If Grace would but look upon me with
your eyes, perhaps I might hope. As it is, were I to open my lips to
her, I should only subject myself to the mortification of having my
suit contemptuously spurned."
"That would never be. Even if rejected, there would be nothing to
injure your pride or bring a blush of mortification to your cheek."
"I think you are right there, mother. Grace is too gentle, too much of
a lady, to let me see how unjustifiable were my hopes."
"Frederic, will you be guided by me in this matter?"
"Let me hear your advice first, mother. Then I will decide."
"Try to make yourself more worthy of her. Make the most of your talent.
Become something more than a portrait painter. Become a great artist;
and when all men acknowledge your talent, Miss Dearborn will be proud
to accept your devotion, and to reward it. Is my advice good?"
"Mother, you put new life into me," said the young man, his face
glowing with new hope. "I have always wished to become a true artist. I
am a portrait painter because poverty made it necessary."
"And you would become an artist if you could?"
"Yes; it is my strongest wish."
"Then form the plan of some great picture, select some worthy and
inspiring subject, devote your leisure to it, and think that you are
working for her you love."
"I will mother. You are not only my best friend, but my wisest
counselor. Henceforth I shall feel that I have an object for which to
labor."
Frederic Vernon returned to his studio with quickened steps, and
resumed work with an ardor he had not felt since Grace Dearborn sat
in his studio as the subject of his brush. It was some time before a
suitable idea came to him, but at last it flashed upon him, and he gave
to his picture all the time he could save from his sittings.
In the midst of his labors there appeared to him one day the postman.
It was a dainty missive he held in his hand, addressed, in delicate
chirography, to Frederic Vernon, Esq.
Vernon opened it, and read with a quickened movement of the heart
a card of invitation to a party given by Mrs. Caroline Sheldon, to
celebrate the birthday of her niece, Miss Grace Dearborn.
Vernon's face lighted up with joy.
"She has not forgotten me, then," he said to himself.
Then came the thought, "Shall I go?" Would he feel at home in the
fashionable circle to which he would be a stranger? He hesitated, but
it was not for long.
"Since Grace bids me, for I know it was at her suggestion that I am
invited, I will attend."
Just then his studio was invaded by a young lady, upon whose portrait
he was engaged. She did not come alone. With her was Major Ashton, who
has already been named as the unsuccessful suitor of Grace.
Vernon laid down the invitation hastily, but it was still open, and
Major Ashton, who was observant, saw it, and a glance revealed to him
its contents.
His face betrayed his surprise and annoyance.
"Is it possible that Miss Dearborn has invited this portrait painter to
her party?" he asked himself.
Then his eyes dwelt critically on the refined and handsome face of the
artist, and a vague feeling of jealousy sprang up within him, for he
was still firmly resolved upon marrying Grace.
"But no," he thought, recovering himself; "Grace would not stoop to a
fellow like that. She only wishes to patronize him."