Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-03-11
LITTLE ICEBERG.

-
.THIs is the place, them" said Clar-
ence Broughton to himself, as he paused
to bestow u contemptuous glance on the
faded green door of a Photographic es-
tahlishment in an out-of-the-way street
of = German town. "No Steinstrasse-
and wei. named, too. / only hope Tina's
photographs are ready, for / don't see
the Joke of hobbling over these con-
founded stones twice in one day" With
which he opened the green door and en-
tered.
There was nobody visible inside, and
Mr.. Brough'on, to begnile the period of
waiting, iounged up TO the counter and
began listlessly turning over some pho
tographs lying there. But in another
moment the lisiless air changed to one of
pleased interest, as, pushing the others
aside. he fixed his attention on single
nicture, which he turned now this way.
now that, to catch the varying light on
the face.
He was still deep in the study of it
when door at the back opened and a
woman came in hastily Mr.. Broughton
lifted his bat and demanded in his best
German if the picture were for SALE
'.Ask behind the curtain, please" an
swered the woman, snatching something
off one of the shelves, and flying away
as hurriedly as she had come to the back
regions. where some kind of domestic
crisis had apparently risen. Mr.. Brough-
ton accordingly turning to comply with
her directions, drew aside the screen
dividing the shop, the picture still in his
hand, and-found himself in the presence
of the original.
She was sitting with bent head, her
hands loosely folded over the chair arm.
her gaze on the ground, her thoughts, to
Judge by the expression of her face, far
enough away from her surroundings. At
Broughton's muttered apology she looked
up at him with dreamy eyes that seemed
only half conscious of what they rested
on.
"Are you waiting for the photogra-
pher?" she said GO He will be back direct
w." And then her eyes dropped back
once more, and her thoughts with them
apparently, and she seemed to have for
gotten all about the scene and the
stranger before her. He perceived it,
and after another long look retreated
and left her to herself.
Presently the curtain was put aside
again and the photographer hustled in,
smiling and full of apologies for having
caused the Herr Highlander to waste
moment of his precious time in waiting
But the Herr Englander's time in his own
eyes did not seem so precious. Perhaps
he liked the opportunity OF exercising
his German; at any rate, he was certain
ly in a very leisurely and talkative
humor he discussed the weather,
the news, art in general, apropos
- he he ha hod
for, and finally, in discreet
speeding the sitter behind the parti-
ton. But, with all the goodwill in the
world the chatty old man could tell him
nothing except that she was English and
bildschon, which Mr. Broughton did
not need to be told. Finding there was
nothing more to be learned, the Herr En-.
glander's time suddenly became valua-
Bile again; he thrust his sisters commits
sion into his breast-pocket and departed.
But not to go far-only to the corner
and back again. Had any young lady of
his acquaintance had her abode in the
Steinstrasse she would assuredly have
concluded him to be making a g window
parade" that morning, with herself for
its object. AS it was, old Fraulein Ober-
meyer, who had nothing better to do,
peered at the stranger over the long pur-
pie stocking she was knitting, and won
dered to see him come and go, and come
and 60 again, till her mind was in nearly
as distracted condition as she decided
his must be. But he knew what he was
about though she might not. For If
Clarence Broughton's fancy had been be-
Witched-as it had been-by that picture
lust now, the charm had lost none of its
power from view of the original; and
Welding to impulse, as he was very apt
to do at all times, he had resolved to find
out for himself what the photographer
could not tell him. Which was the ex-
PLANTATION of the behavior that nearly
caused Fraulein Obermeyer to drop
several stitches in the purple stocking.
By the time Mr.. Broughton had learned
the exact contents of every shop window
in the Steinstrasse, and the precise posi-
ton of every stone in its paving, the
faded green door opened and closed
again, making background for slight
figure in nun-like black, relieved only by
the CLINT of gold on the cross clasping
the let chain on her bosom, and in the
masses of the long hair hanging loose
over her shoulders. AS she stood a
moment on the steps, glancing up ana
down the street, Broughton became ab.
normally interested in the stoves and
fire-screens his promenade had just then
brought him opposite, fearing lest in
recognizing him she should suspect the
object of his delay There was no such
danger, except in his guilty fancy; she
had not remarked him enough to recog,,
nize him again, and in any case would
never have thought of connecting his
stay with herself After an instant's in
decision she turned up the street in the
other direction from where he stood. lie
followed, keeping her slow movements
just in sight.
AS to the rest, his ideas were rather
indefinite: to learn where she lodged, to
examine the strangers book, question
some servant--that was what noated
vaguely through his mind. But his way
was sinplifed; for as his unknown
beauty turned aside into hotel court
she was met by young man, with whom
she exchanged some words, and in TINS
blessed individ lal Clarence Brough'on
saw an old acquaintance OF his own
You here, Broughton?" said George
Paulett, as he shook his hand. You
turn mn lust in time to do penance Win