The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-05-19
A PANE OF BLUE GLASS.

Gordon Gray, junior partner in the
firm of Gray, Greene & Gray, owners
and managers of the great Pontoosac
Mills, was on his way home from the
office one bright April afternoon, 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 a day without ever particularly
noticing it.
1t was a large, rather shabby house,
set in a walled garden, but with mar
row gable end AUDITING directly on the
street. In this gable end were two win
dOws-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 removed,
and in their stead a large oblong of dark
blue glass inserted. This was the change
which had attracted Gordon's eye with
that inevitable certainty which belongs
to all change, even IN an Indifferent or
unobserved 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 Gordon pause and stare. On
the other side was something which he
could not make out-a shimmering,
glinting something, which swayed a lit
tie, like a shining flower bending from
its stalk. Was it a flower? He gazed
and wondered and, almost unconscious
ly, had drawn nearer, till his eyes were
within foot of the glass, when sud-
denly the sash was raised, and the mys-
ferrous object revealed itself as girls
head-fair, pensive, and framed in a
loosely hanging cloud of light brown
hair. Her cheeks flushed little as their
eyes met, and she inquired, in sweet,
surprised voice: Did you want any
thing, slr?"
Gordon Gray, in his own opinion at
least, was a man of the world, but he
felt himself turn scarlet as he stammered
out: Excuse me. IL had no inten-
ton of being so impertinent. 1t was the
oddnCss of the blue glass could not
see that anyone was inside. Pray eX-
cuse me, his brown eyes seconding the
appeal with better eloquence than his
confused speech was capable of.
The young lady smiled little, in a
dim, shy way, as of one who had forgot
ten the trick of smiling, and answered:
Certainly. 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.
lone moment" cried Gordon, whose
presence of mind rarely failed him long
-' one moment. Would you mind tell
ing me if this glass is used for scien-
titic experiment, Or"
A medical experiment, believe"
was the answer my uncle read some
where that it was good thing for deli
cate people to sit in sunshine filtered
through blue glass. So he had this pane
inserted, and wishes me to try the ex-
pertinent" ... ..4
Was it you, then, who was sitting
inside? l thought it rose-tree, or some
Towering plant or other"
"No, it was l." with another shy
smile. a... ... ... =
hope the experiment may prove a
success" raising his hat.
THANK you" Then the sash was
pulled down, gently but decidedly, and
Gordon resumed his walk. ..
COMPOUNDED asst" was his mental
comment, addressed to himself. "She
must have thought me a regular Peep
ing Tom What pretty little thing
she isl How did it happen that l never
heard of her before? Such blue eyes are
not seen every day. Let me see. Who
does own that house? wonder l never
thought toinquire." .......
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 expert
ments, and coming to grief with them.
Blew his roof off once with Illuminating
powder, and all but burned down, sum
mer before last, testing new system of
lightning Never went out any
where except to the postoffice, and never
asked anyone inside his door. Had he a
family? No. Lived all alone with an
old servant, or-stay! did somebody say
that 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 his
Crotchets.
With such scanty statements Gordon
was forced to satisfy himself. No one
seemed to know more than this of Mr.
T,anO and thnuuh he Daqapd tho hOuce
daily he caught no farther glimpse of the
pretty face which had once blessed his
eyes. Only the nebulous shadow behind