The Evansville journal., 1867-07-10
4 ROMANCE OF CHIRoMANCY.


the right to say her. You have seen,
at some theatre, a lovely fairy, in a
pork pie hat, step out suddenly from
behind the wings, charming all the
male beholders ranging between the
ages of fourteen and fourscore. That
morning the drying ground, little
below the market place, was ful OF
| sheets-twenty times more than would
be required to serve as screens for
a,private theatrical. Behind them [
heard silver voice which said, this
way papal | am sure this is the way
to the Freienhof."
And then there came forth from
behind the white curtain a vision
which made me-forget everything
else. | had, of course, seen pretty
girls before, but I had never yet seen
| my pretty girl. 1t was not the fair.
clear complexion, faxen hair, nor the
coral lips, which shot the dart; but it
was the bright, spontaneous way in
which those hazel eyes met mine; the
extraordinary quickness with which
we exchanged a. glance; the slight
blush and the gentle smile which fol-
lowed as hereyes dropped immediate
ly afterward; and the involuntary
halt, as if one had something impor-
tant to say, and the other ex-
pected something important to
be said. AS for papa. l don't
think | saw him at all that time. You
have heard of love at first sight?
That is just what it was.
They went their way, through the
tiny market into the street; and |
think l remember that she walked
very slowly. as if she would have
been'g glad to sit down and rest. l was
nailed to the spot, locking after her
until she was out of sight. Of one
thing only was I thoroughly conscious
1 had seen my wife, if ever was to
have wife. That face, that figure,
and that voice. had a rent in
the clouds of futurity, through whose
long perspective secret presentment
showed me my future. Talk of your
magic mirrors, your enchanted crys-
tails! Talk of distant events revealed
in drops of ink! There is no magic
like sympathetic glance.
The way to the Freienhof! It was
the very hotel l was staying at. But
the direction they took was not the
way to the Freienhof. We're they
going for stroll of discovery, or had
they merely mistaken their way?
Time would show. Saith the Proverb,
Everything comes to him who can
wait" l could wait, and did wait,
where l was.
While wondering at, though perfect
ly understanding, the novel ferment
which then was working within me,
my field of view was crossed by a soli-
| tary individual who was proceeding
| onward with uncertain steps. His
makeup was fashionable, though per-
haps little seedy; but that tells for
nothing on a continual trip. His
black hair might besa little too ring
| lefty, his whiskers little too Dund-
searyish His hat had contours and
lines or beauty in its rim more suited
to Rotten Row than to searches after
the picturesque. He made you doubt
whether he were Uery gentlemanly
man indeed, or not gentleman at all.
You must have seen him on some race
course or somebody excessively like
him. The face looked little awk
ward and bravely carried the smile
which is peculiar to opera dances, and
the world obliged to play the part of
universal amiables.
Il beg your pardon, Sir" he said
preceiying me. Il. really beg ten
thousand pardons: but Uou1d you do
me the very great favor to tell me the
way to the Freenhof?" He italicised
those words with a melodious drawl.
My friend, Sir Charles, who brought
me to Thun in his carriage, tried to
persuade me to remain at the Belle
vue charming house, excellent table,
magnificent view, good society! Quite,
| in short, my style Of thing. Sir. But,
although the Freienhof is only second
rate, | had promised to go there
promising, Sir. And when a lady is
in the case"
| Hang the fellow and his conf
Dental talk |" | grumbled to myself.
Nv hat nuisance, to be so interrupt
ed! At such an Interesting moment,
tool" So rising my hat. | coldly
answered. You have only to go
straight forward, take the first turn to
the left, and you wilt reach the Frei-
enhof.'' z''' 90 '' 28 ''- p
| + Much obliged gerry much indeed, =
! he replied, with treacley suavity
Such kindness to an utter stranger
Pray do me the honor to accept my
card. You are doubtless at the Belle
vue? You are not going to the Frei-
'enhof?' --s> Is = II
| mo, am not, Sir" fear growl-
ed; internally adding, until think
proper"
i Il thank you very much This way,
think?" And with honeyed bow
he took his leave.
"Mr. Percy Howard!" 1 muttered,