The Lincoln County herald., 1870-04-14

and new start in lileo he would try HE
chances in Americs. So when he van.
ished out Of the circle where I used to
meet him, I assumed that he had gonc to
the United States, and presently forgot
him. We forget each other terribly soon
in London.
was surprised and pleased to meet
him again. We had no time just then
for explanations and long talk but ne
exchsnged promises Of q speedy meeting
aud full condolences.
Let me now come back to my fair
friend, the beautiful asd intellectual
Augusta Fieldon, 10 the course of eur
conversation told her of the old and
unexpected chance which had brought
me face to face with my friend, the musi.
cian /; and as he happened to pass across
the room at shat moment, pointed him
out to her.
Herman was handsome dark eyed
youth, wish the true artistic mould Of
head and face. Except that he was much
taller, he looked very much like young
English poet who has had the fossunc to
be more warmly praised and more bit
terly denounced than even poets com
monty are. I made mention of this fact
to Miss Fielden as called her attention
to my FREUD.
To my surprise the young lady's face
crimsoned, and her eyeids dropped, and
she seemed quite discompossd and almost
agitsted.
II know thas gentleman" she said, in
Q somewhat trcmuious voice that is, I
have met him, but I, too. did not expect
to see him here"
And now Herman Oppenbeim had seen
her, aud his pale face g'owcd as brightly
as hers, and he came to full stop, and
his eyes sparkled; and he seemed uncer.
tain whether to come over to US or to
pass US by; and in truth he was greatly
ngitated (; and, as Miss Miggs would say,
"here's mysteries y
"Will you introduce your frienl2 |
should be glad If you would" Miss
Fieldcn said:
But | thought you knew him ?"
! "Yes, oh yes 4; that is I mean we have
met lie was in the steamer in which
We came from Europe but we were not
exactly introduced; and is you would"
"Of course shall be delighted"
1 So I crossed the room al 4 said to my
friend:
"Comc with me, Oppcnheim. want
to introduce you to Miss Augusta
Fielden"
"Oh, thank you, my friend thousand,
thousand thanks True, good friend |"
Herman whispered, with an earnestness
I that was quite passionate and he pressed
my hand with fervor. Truly ON unex
pected and wonderful amount Of gratitude
for a favor which cost me so little ia
bestow.
AS l presented Oppenheim I observed
that he almost trembled, and that Miss
Augusta was hardly less agitatcd. One
glance that passed between them might
have made the dullest observer, placed SO
closely and favorsbly as l. suspect some
love-mystcry. 1 lefs them together.
Hermsn sat beside her for whils, and
they spoke in low tones then some one
else came up, and my friend resigned his
place sadly. I would have sought him
out but shat our hostess intercepted him
and begged him to play something on the
piano. He played superbly, and knew
full wela that he made the instruments Just
now the bearer Of many q message to
Miss Fielden, which probably he dared
not put into words. He played selec
tion Of n,orcemr, apparently take0 at ran
dom Mcndelssohn's air, to which Heine
has the tender, thrilling words. "Ich
woste mein Schmerzen !" passages from
eeethoven'a Adehade; passionate love
bursts from Mozart and Meyerber-ail
that hc played Su; ono prolonged, ever
varying monologue Of love. l glanced
more than once slmost involuntarily tn
where Miss Fielden was sitting and
though her eyes wore downcast, and her
mouth and cheeks had regaincd their com.
posure, ] knew that her soul accepted and
rejoiced in the message; and that there
in the crowded drawing room, there in
the center Of chat great commonplace, a
love drama was going on, with Hcrman 0p'
pcnheim and Augusta Fielden for scaors
and myself for the only one spectator.
Something disagreeable presently ec-
curred-something which reminded me
Of an incident in "Martn Chuzslewit,
only that there was nothing iu il discred
itah'o to any Of The persons involved
Among the many listeners who expressed
an enthusiastic admiration for Herman'i
playing, one Of the warmest in her praise,
was Mrs. Fielden, mother Of Augusta
Now Mrs. Fielden was, I had already
fousd out, . sort Of . queen Of society il
this PARTICULAR woman OF wealth and
culture and ambition, who ruled hel
husband and her set Oar hostess has
tened To present Hermsn to her. Her.
man was confused, embarrassed, could
hardly speak, while Mrs. Fislden kisdly
pasrouized him and bis glorious art. ]
knew something Of the cause Of his en-
barrassment. .-.t
"his manaers are awkward" said Mrs
Fielden, when hs had fallen back. She
waa sd ddreesin0 haps>lf psrtlv IN mo and