The Portland daily press., 1877-05-21
THE PRESS.
lFrom Harper's Bazar,l
A Pane of Blue Glass.

Gordon Gray, junior partner in the firm of
Gray, Greens 81 Gray, owners and managers
of the great PontOosac Mills, was on his way
home from the Office one bright April after
noon, when, by some dim process which
could hardly be called observation, he became
aware that change had taken place in an
old house which for years he had passed
twice day without ever particularly motto.
ing it.
1t was large, rather shabby house, set in
walled garden, but with narrow gable end
abuttng directly on to the street. In this
gable end were two windows-one above,
small, with lattice; one below. larger. with
an ordinary sash divided into six panes. The
three lower panes of this sash had been re-
moved, and in their stead a large oblong of
dark blue glass inserted. This was the
change which had attracted Gordon's eve
with that inevitable certainty which belongs
to all change, even in an Indifferent or unob-
served object.
The blue-glass theory was still in its cradle
at that time. No hint of it had crept into
the newspapers, and the azure pane in the
old sash was puzzling enough to make Cor
don pause and stare. On the other side was
something which he could not make out-a
shimmering, glinting something, which
swayed little, like a shining flower bending
from its stalk. Was it flower? He gazed
and wondered, and almost unconsciously had
drawn nearer, till his eyes were within a foot
of the glass, when suddenly the sash was
raised and the mysterious object revealed it.
self as girls head-fair, pensive and framed
in loosely hanging cloud of light brown
hair. Her cheeks flushed little as their
eyes met, and she inquired in sweet, sur
prised voice. ''Did you want anything. sir Po
Gordon Gray, in his own opinion at least.
was man of the world, but he felt himself
turn scarlet as he stammered out: 'Excuse
me. IL had no intention of being SO i'm
pertinent. 1t was the oddness of the blue
glass. could not see that anyone was in
side. Pray excuse me-" his brown eyes Sec
onding the appeal with better eloquence than
his confused speech was capable Of
The young lady smiled little in dim, shy
way, as of one who had forgotten the trick
of smiling, and answered: "CertainH. T
don't wonder you were surprised. The blue
glass does look very odd" Then she raised
her hand as if about to draw the sash down
again.
"One moment" cried Gordon, whose pres.
ence of mind rarely failed him long-ssone
moment. Would you mind telling me if this
glass is used for a scientific experiment,
or:
the answer. "My uncle read somewhere
tudI ~ was SoOu LuluS lOr uelcate people TO
sit in sunshine filtered through blue glass. So
he had this pane inserted and wishes me to
try the experiment.
WAS it you, then, who was sitting inside |?
thought it rose-tree, or some Towering
plant or other"
'sNo, it was l." with another shy smile.
81 hope the experiment may prove a sue
cess" raising his hat.
''Thank YOU" Then the sash was pulled
down, gently but decidedly, and Gordon re-
sumed his walk.
''Confounded assp' was his mental COM
ment, addressed to himself. HShe must have
thought me regular 'Peeping Tom.' What
pretty little thing she is How did it hap
pen that never heard of her before? Such
blue eyes are not seen every day, Let me
see. Who does own that house? wonder
I never thought to inquire"
But inquiry brought little satisfaction. Mr..
Lang lived in the house. always had lived
there. Did anybody know him? Bless YOU.
no. He was queer old chap, full of theories,
always trying experiments and coming to
with Illuminating powder, and all but burned
down, summer before last, testing new sys-
tenn of lightning-rods. Never went out any,
where except to the post-office and never
asked any one inside his door. Had he a
famiy2 No. Lived all alone with an old
servant, or-stay! did somebody say that a
niece or cousin came to live with him in the
autumn? Probably mistake, or if not, she
must be some cracked creature like himself.
who never showed outdoors. Had Mr.. GRAY
noticed the blue pane in that end window !?
Droll, wasn't it? Just like old Lang and bis
crotchets.
with such scanty statements Gordon was
forced to satisfy himself. No one seemed to
know more than this OF Mr.. Lang, and though
he passed the house daily he caught no far
ther glimpse of the pretty face which had
once blessed his eyes. Only the nebulous
shadow behind the blue pane told of her ex-
istence, and toward this shadow Gordon
raised his hat punctiliousy every afternoon.
A slight answering movement was sometimes
visible, which he chose to interpret as a re-
turn to his salutation; that was all; bow,
"a shadow, vibration-thin fabric for fancy
to weave webs OF, uncertain aim for the fairy
arrows of the tabled god; but enough: for
the unseen is sometimes more potent than
the seen, and once lovers Imagination sets
to work, it finds material in lightest token
and least palpable substance.
Gordon, for all the worldliness on which he
prided himself, was young still, and modest,
and it took more than month of these pass
ings and repassings before he gained courage
for the holder step of laying rose on the sill
of the closed window. There it lay in the
morning, dewy and fresh, as he went by.
Returning at night, he glanced across the
street, and felt heartbeat: the rose was
gone, and-Did the glorifed shadow within
vbrate little more distinctly than usual !?
Gordon dared to hope so.
Another morning, and another
roses. On the fourth morning, grown holder,
Gordon ventured on bouquet-a bouquet,
all violets, save for one great Marechal Neil
in the centre. On the fifth day he took a
desperate step, and, armed with another
bunch of violets, crossed the street and
tapped ever 10 gently on the blue glass pane.
The window opened and the sweet face ap-
peared, deepened flush on the cheeks, and
: frank light in the blue eyes.
II beg pardon for interrupting your
seance," said Gordon, gravely. ''But have
ventured to bring you few blue flowers;
believe they are recommended for use with
the blue glass;"
you are very thoughtful
"The experiment interests me-" went on
Gordon, audaciously. cit is such a new idea,
and yet there may be great truth involved
in it. I am anxious to know how it works
Do you feel benefited thus far?"
"I-don't-know; the dimpes diving out,
and sad little lines forming about the mouth
ut doesn't seem as if it could do me any
particular good. II my uncle Here she
paused.
''What were you going to say?" asked
Gordon, coaxingly.
81 ought not, perhaps. 1t was only, if nv
uncle would let me walk and 60 out little,
think it would do me more good than blue
glass;"
"Do you never walk, then, or 90 out y?
But why do ask? Of course 1 should have
met you."
sob, no, never do, except in the garden.
My uncle says lite is too short for purposes of
idle recreation, and purposes of health can be
pursued at home" The blue eyes danced
through their mists as she spoke, like sun
through rain. Gordon was enchanted.
IT never heard of anything so preposter-
ousp' he exclaimed. "Tons OF blue glass
could never make up for the lack, of air and
cheerful companionship. Are you never
allowed to accept any invitations? Do you
never go to parties ?''
"Parties! Why, don't know anybody.
never spoke to asingle person in Pontoosac,
except my uncle and Dixie-and you. There
is Dixie calling me now. 1 must not stav.
Thank you so much for the violets."
The window closed with an memorable
click, and Gordon walked homeward, full
fathoms five in love, and with wrath at his
heart at the uncle who thus shut up and