Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-26


before Eoticed such a circu instance in hisfriepd:
byt he had noticed IL in various instances, and
IN Egerton's case II almost seemed 20 hin that
II was sort Of yearning for sympathy, desire
to be brought into some sort of converse with
this clever, graceful girl, though the converse
should be all on one SIDE.
"A queer thing happened TO a friend OF
mlhe, SAID Igerton, who went TO great gal
ery 70 inspect precious gem. The gem was
exceedingly valuable, and was kept under glass
case, and only shown by special permission, un-
der the care Of an oficial. The man went 70 see
IL, and examined it with the greatest care and
admiration. After some little space the officer
said II he had hnisbed his examination they
would now 60. The man said, 4" Certainly. He
ready TO leave" Then where was the ring?"
" Oh, he laid it down on the case" But no
ring was there. A search was made, but i'm
vain; the ring had vanished. Then the ofiicer
objected. The officer said his duty was impera-
tive. The visiter swore that he would rather be
slain on the spot than 10 submit to such an in
suit. AS the officer persisted, the yisIter threw
himself into fighting attitude, and the officer
called for assistance. Several men came I'D:
but in the middle of the hubbub some sharp
witted public servant discovered that the gem
had fallen down between the velvet and the
frame of the case. Mutual congratulations and
excuses followed. Then the visiter stepped for
ward and said. "I viii now tell you the reason
Why / would not submit TO he searched. 1 have
gem about me which is the perfect fac-simile
Of this one. 1 had not thought that there was
one in the world like it, and came on purpose
10 see. Now, if You had found this gem upon
me, your own unbound, you would have taken il
TO be the gem that was lost, and should have
been condemned. could not submit to that
while was alive
"wnat an extraordinary story, Egerton."
said Davenport. Where did you pick it up?
and who was the man?'
"It happened to myself, last summer, at Mu-
an ANTIQUE which had been recovered at Pom
pei, az least as Old as the Christian era. Here
il is in this ring"
Just at this moment the young lady, whose
head aslant had showed that she was listening to
the story which Egerton had designed her to
hear, turned round, and EgertOn was hardly
surpTiscd-"his heart had been prophet to his
heart'-thatit was the lovely girl of the Opera.
"By Jove! Davenport, the girl saw on " II
Flauto Magico' night"
Have you lured her with Zauberhotte OF
your OWN" said Davenport, little sayagely.
The young lady gave half-eonscions look of
recognition and surprise, which the doctors
keen eye did not fail TO recognize; and then,
with provoking noneta ldnce, passed away to a
distant case, where the friends could hardly
venture to follow her.
They went into the entrance, however and
sat , down in The porch instead Of going out into
gloomed heavily in the starlight. A solitary
carriage was standing in waiting. Egerton was
excited and feverish. He wrapt his cloak round
felt quite certain that this was the carriage
which be had followed from Covent Garden,
Presently the carrisge-dOor was flung open, and
the same young lady tripped to the steps. And
the carriage went OF at sharp trot.
"Wil you try your luck again." whispered
Davenport; "shall hail q hansom?'
Egerton wildly gestisulsted. But his friends
strong grasp was upon his arm, and it was ob-
viously impossible that he should be able to gain
the carriage SO as to identify it.
There goes my chance again" he growled,
"for the second time, and have lost it"
% The third times lucky" said Davenport
phlegmaticslly.
The third time really came. That things
which are to be will be- is the approved and fun
damental axiom Of fatalism. There is a good
deal Of romance left I'm this used-up old world,
II you are romantic enough 10 understand. At
least so il came TO pass at South-Kensington.
Egerton was "seedy." He had no confidence
in his own medical skill. Ii he ever had anv
which Is very doubtful, II had vanished as soon
as the aunts big pot OF money had fallen in. So
be asked Davenport, the friend, who with all
his hardness was las his own sOul'' TO him, to
prescribe. Davenport came, and discharged
the duty, which is frequently the FIRST and most
necessary part Of doctors duty-he bullied
and aroused the patient, shook him out OF his
languor and indifference, conhscated his rega-
las, and turned him out into the fresh air.
davenport, Though rising man, was not so
busy that he could not afford half an hour 10 an
old friend whose health, moral and physical,
wanted toniDg and bracing. Sc they paid their
shillings and went into the horticultural Gar
dens.
1t was not public day you understand Moth
ing IN way o. grand music OF stately prone
nades. They might suddenly have passed into
the Loneliness of tropical forest instead of be-
ing hemmed in or every side with a wilderness
OF brick and mortar. From that very pretty
entrance passage with its summer bloom they
passed on TO the smooth turf with the enameled
nower-beds. The space is after all not much.
and is soon exhausted; but il 30 happened that
except few children with nurses or gov
ernssses, there was no one there. Then they
walked in the noble conservatory, and ascend
ing the broad flight of steps, examined 30 far az
they could, the progress of the Albert Memorial
building. As they paused on the highest terrace
to catch the purer softer breeze, and leaned on
the balcony TO watch the lovely scene below
with sigh OF regret that they and other Lon
doners should have the unwisdom of 80 seldom
coming here except in the crowd which takes
away half the beauty of the scene, Egerton
looked around, with a certain lassitude and in
difference which was not altogether pleasant TO
the skilled eye OF his friend, always on a scien-
titic lookout for the possibilities OF evil.
Presently, Davenport said, with a curious
expression, Unless l am greatly mistaken,
Egerton, here comes friend of yours"
The languor and indifference were all gone.
" You don't mean hers
" don't know whom you mean BY her. As
she must have some name or other shall call
her Lady Andelgizs South X ensington. until +
know her real name. / mean, however, the
lady we saw at the museum and whom YOU saw
you saw at the Opera"
. J GU can't see her face"
No, but | recognize her gait. Very few
young ladies' can mount steps so gracefully as
she is doing"
Egerton was yisibly agitated.
Do you really care Tor this girl, Frank"
Don't ask me. am quite in love with her,"
Now this was truly astonishing TO Davenport,
1t was something altogether foreign to his
scientific habits OF mind. No amount OF medi-
cal lore would give him An explanation. It's
an ultimate TACT" he murmured to himself
land we must puzzle away At it."
Something must be done, and be done
quickly" said Egerton, ''or else the tide in the
affairs OF men will have ebbed altogether. Helm
me, Davenport" he added, almost piteously.
will, old fellow" said the medical Z" Have
Here Il is.-
do you mind the risk of losing it for the
chance Of finding out all about the girl?''
would risk 10 a hundred times over"
Then leave ii on the balustrade and come
this way
The ring was placed on the bslustrade. and
Egerton hastily followed his friend down into
the grounds.
Now stop bit, Egerton, )" said Mr.. Dayen-
port. " don't think We can be observed here:
but will see what 1 can make out with the
help Of my field-glass."
Oh, those feld-giasses and telescopes? They
have well-nigh abolished obscurity from the
British Isles. All the coast line 10 swept by the
coast guards telescope. All hills are watched
by game-keepers' glasses. Lonely lovers, wan
dering in unfrequented solitudes, you little
imagine what powerful optical Instruments
may be brought to bear upon you!