Life — December 26, 1895 — page 30: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“Tue Portrait ix America nap come TO Lire.” the curious old portraits, all formed a harmony so solemn and subduing that he shrunk from moving about for fear of awakening some indefinable thing whose slumbers he might disturb. As his gaze moved reverentially along the walls it fell upon a little portrait that caused him an unex- pected sensation. His eyes opened wider in surprise as he looked more carefully to make sure it was no deception. A portrait of himself ! He arose, and going nearer, made a closer investigation. His own self was staring calmly back, amiably but with seriousness, and certainly there was no mistake. He blinked, then drew his hand across his eyes. His mystification was And there was something weird and upsetting in thus scrutinizing a face so unmistakably his own. He was hopelessly puzzled; but, a moment later, he under- stood. At home the older people had often spoken of the striking resemblance between his grandfather and him- self; so striking was it that at the same age they could have complete, passed fortwins. And this, probably, was a portrait he had given to the original of the painting in America. He smiled at this further unfolding of the old gentleman's secret. The rustling of a gown caused him to wheel suddenly about and to face a second surprise far more upsetting and important than the first. The portrait in America had come to life and was stand- ing before him. Young, fresh, with a girlish figure, and the same eyes; her hair arranged precisely as in the like- ness beyond the sea. She returned his look with an expres- sion of astonishment more intense than his own. The lips parted—those lips with double curves he knew so well! She uttered a whispered exclamation, then took a back- ward step, in serious alarm, and groped about with a hand, as if seeking support. Cyrus, in his own excitement, neglected to remember that this young lady had every reason to believe that she was confronted by the spirit of a youth who had sat for the likeness behind him over fifty years ago.