The Portland daily press., 1875-11-08
[From Lippincott's Magazine
The Magic Handkerchief.


Roman palace, but not on the grand stairway
nor in the piano mobile. You reach it by one
OF those charming labyrinths constantly found
in such great houses. Entering by one of
three portoni, you presently find yourself in a
little paved court which suggests confusion
OF images. On one side Is a coach-house
where YOU would have expected to see a
drawing-room: at the opposite fountain
tosses its limpid little jet against back
ground of caiven and mossy stone, and frag
merits OF sculpture and inscriptions are let
into the wall that here separates the court
from garden hey ond. If you are staying in
Rome month, and are going to write the
inevitable book telling all about it, you will
pause to make note: lone OF the great
differences between the European continental
nendge and the American is, that in America
we have place for everything aud every
thing in its place-in continental Europe,
not"
You will, however, have made mistake !:
here also they have place for everything and
everything in its place; but it is the same
place for everything, which is more simple,
if less orderly.
After various mystifcations as to the way,
you arrive presently at the foot of steep,
winding stair which starts with an air of solid
determination rather discouragng to new
conner Plainly it does not mean 10 stop very
soon. Neither is it like those delightful stairs
which dawdle up few steps, then pause at a
wide landing. then saunter a few steps farther
to pause again, and so bring you up to airy
heights without fatigue and almost uncon-
scious of climbing. Blank walls wind about
with you in this close spiral: not an inch of
rail offers its support, and scarcely ray of
light shows the way.
Out of breath at length, you welcome a
barred window. The stairs go on, but you
stop. You are now half way up. Another
n1it h hrir tor dnNr and
dow. Here rude temporary wall shuts off
further ascent for human beings, but the
stairs crawl under and 90 winding up where
only your imagination can follow.
The door opens, you pass dim ante cham
Der, and instantly the scene changes. Bright
chambers full of sunshine give you view,
over the houset ops. of trees and gardens, and
the distant blue line of the sea curving about
the horizon, and, standing boldly out against
all these, the towers and cupolas of the old
city-citta pecchid, as they like to call it.
But one might visit this house for months
without even thinking to look from the win
dows, there weIe SO many beautiful objects
within; and the most charming object in the
house was the mistress of it, a bright little
lady, who, after having been a wife for one
year, had remained widow more years than
you could well believe, looking at ler face.
So small, so dainty, so fresh was she, you half
wanted to set her in vase and call her
rosebud.
That, indeed. was the name by which Miss
Farnshaw often called her, and which she
has whispered in her ear at the moment we
enter the room.
''Say and lake tea with me after the others
are gone, my darling," whispered the sig
nora
''Yes, Rosebud. But must send the car
riage home"
Leave that to me-" said the signora,
pressing her young friend back on the sofa,
where she sat little apart from the company.
''If you stir you will spoil this corner Of the
room for those who come in. You are as
good for me as statue here, and know you
don't wish to talk to any one. See! l will
hedge you in with stand of photographs.
Now sit and look just as bored as you please;
it becomes you.'
81 am glad look bored" Miss Fanshaw
thought, turning over the pictures. Il was
afraid she might think me sad Besides,
come to think OF it, am bored. Why will
people make such long calls and talk so stu
pidly %
In fact, the calls were not long nor the
talk stupid. The company was constantly
changing, and rather exce eplionally clever. It
was one of the signora's weekly receptions,
and the hosttss futtered about from one to
another like butterfly over a parterre her
clear voice distinguishable in the soft contu-
sion OF mingled Tongues, English, French,
and Italian, as she welcomed the coming,
sped the parting guest, dropped word on
art, politics or gossip, or displayed her latest
acquisition, box from Egypt containing old
coins aud idols, silver ornaments and magic
handkerchief
bright-striped silk twinkliDg all through with
gold threads, she had wrapped about the
shoulders of marble bust of Augustus,
II am already superstitious about it," she
said. ut certainly is sort of Aladdin's
lamp, and brings good luck to the possessor
In the few days since it came have become
reconciled to friend whom l believed to be
entirely estranged, have succeeded in doubt
full undertaking and have received dozen
presents. Look at this lovely intaglio; and
this piece of old lace with cupids and crowns
on it; and this malachte paper-weight with
its gilt ice-cart holding cut crystal; and
these beautiful photographs-all gifts OF the
handkerchief Ifany one here should have
special good to wish for or a special i'll to
get rid i, let him come some day and hold
this talsman little while. 1t was blessed by
Mohammedan priest, brought from Mecca
by hadji, and sent me by pasha.''
Miss Fanshaw turned her head to look at
this treasure-half rose as If to examine it
more nearly. but sank into her seat again.
AS the western sky grew saffron with sun
set the company dropped away one by one;
back from her last leavetaking and found Miss
Fanshaw holding the magic handkerchief so
closely to her face that she seemed to be eth
er kissing or whispering to it. She dropped
it with careless ''it is very pretty'' when
her friend entered.
81 hope no one else will come tonight, for
want to talk with you, dear,'; the signora
said 1--WE have two good hours before us.
sent word to the coachman not to come
back till ten O'Clock, and by that time shall
have you asEbright as bird. l made you
stay, for knew that you were out of spirits,
and that no one can cheer you like me, nest
cepas? Take off your bonnet now, and we
will have cosy chat. Here is the tea-tray,
and you shall have this little table the prin-
cess gave me to set your cup on: don't al
low every one to use it.'
1t was evident to the signora that some
thing more was the matter with her friend
than the listlessness of belle weary of soci-
ETY. and fiattery. Miss Fanshaw often grew
tired OF fashionable life, and came to her for
sympathy, but she had always ready word
and snlle. Now she leaned on the table be-
fore her, pale and smileless, trifled with the
spoon and sent away her tea untasted. SEEM
ing unconscious even that she had dispensed
with those small courtesies which her more
experienced companion would not have for
gotten had she been gnawed by the historical
vulture.
The elder lady knew what youth is, and
was not displeased by these omissions, but
went cheerfully about preparing the way for
an explanation. She put out all the candles
but two-"One can never talk confidently in
a full light,' she thought-thrust bit of
lighted paper under the wood in the fireplace,
for tramOntanG was making the May even
ing chilly, dropped herself into a low arm-
Chair, swung the yellow satin screens between
her and the blaze, and putting out the tip of
feet.
Having settled herself comfortably among
ine cushions, Speak now," she said, 'or
lor ever alter hold your peace. Don't think
me unIeeleng," she added quickly. There is
no pam OF yours that would NOT srieve me.
But am so sure that you are made for ba,.-
pness. and that all your troubles are tamna-
rary, | cannot be very much alarmed abdut
tbem.''
sob, it's the same old stupid comn,ant ),
Miss Fanshaw said sllghtingy. 81 sometimes
wish that had been born poor. though per-
haps it is very ungrateiul OF me to have such
a thought. The poor have sort OF liberty:
they can be alone sometimes; they are not
obliged 10 smile every day from breakfast to