The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-08-24
THE STORY OF A HAND.

When tell you that in my story there
is a broken wheel and storm, perhaps
you will accuse me Of romancing; but die
not break the wheel or cause the rain
and rs my narrative is true, assure 20,
that the wheel of Lord, Fergus's carriage
broke opposite the door Of an inn; also
that there was terrific storm in the
mountains.
Lord Fergus was not an ordinary man
That he was a gentleman was evident
Aside from that, however, it would have
been difficult to decide whether he were
young or old, good or bad, handsome OF
otherwise. Sometimes brusQuc, his
manners at other times were of capt.
waiting gentleness.
Occasionally without apparent cause
he had sudden accessions Of wild gayety
or rapturous meditation. At such times
all that was obscure and strange about
this incomprehe nsible being was re-
vealed, and seemed to concentrate, as in
double focus, in his eyes, intense, I'M
tathomable, and majestic. His gaze ex,
erciseu such mesmeric influence owe,
the Sentler sex, that the noble lord al
ways took the precaution of putting on
green glasses when he desired to be
loved for himself.
1t is needless to add that he was gen
orally regarded DIS a magnetizer. In
vain did he contradict this explanation
with great sincerity that it was not by
magnetism at all, but by irradiation, sym
pathetic projection, that he sometimes
quite involuntarily exercised sort of Eas-
cination over some refined natures. No
one believed it, SO persistent are the
vulgar in wishing to have explained by
ordinary methods effects of which they
cannot comprehend the cause.
Be that as it may. After Lord Fergus
had been sufficiently discussed, they all
agreed it to be impossible to understand
the man. The secret Of his power lay
entirely in the expression of his eve.
Lord Fergus was dreaming in the
large waitinyro room of the inn. The roll
ing Of carriage and the cracking of
whips suddenly disturbed his rcvery.
Curious and idle as are all travellers, he
hurried to the balcony, and saw u young
lady descend from fOur-horse carriage.
who, as we'll as he could judge from so
great q distance, appeared to be marvel
ously beautiful The lady proved to be
the princess Gelsomina Cordileone. At
that moment heavy roll OF thunder
shook the house and made every win
dow rattle. The princess, deathly pale
ards Lord Fergus, exclaiming:
"1n heavens name close all the doors
and windows and remain with mcp'
In the midst of the frightful tumult OF
the elements they were imprisoned for
gus attempted to speak the princess
with gesture of terror, entreated him
to be silent. But if speech were denied
them, their eyes were eloquent, and
when the last crash Of thunder had
passed away, their destinies were more
indissolubly united than if their acuuaint-
aimee had extended over a period of
years. IT'S true, they had not spoken,
but silent love is the most vehem e1lt
"Milord," then said the princess. II
thank you for the service which you
have rendered me. Now ifyou will be
50 kind as to order the carriage, my graf
ltude will be complete"
Lord Fergus, with lightning rapidity,
went to do her bidding, and returning
Immediately, announced the carriage
The princess bestowed a gracious smile
upon Lord Fergus, who bowed pro-
ment an expression Of pain distorted the
face of the princess. She stopped
pressed her hand to her left cheek, and
= exclaimed, with a suggestion of tears in
her voice:
"Oh, how I suffer" As she spoke she
aank into 4 chair.
lord Fergus felt no surprise. He
had watched her preparations for de-
parture with imperturable calmness,
but understood the language Of love too
we'll to suppose an adventure happen
ing to two such powers as this lady
and himself could end thus abruptly
I say two powers, for if Lord Fergus
had magnetic gaze, the princess pos
sessed a voice of wonderful sweetness
The human ear has never heard any
thing comparable to it's music. Clear
rich, and vibrant, it ruled, carressed,
uttered t2r4 1I Fergq Ii thought; 1T is in
the sacrifice of my life, I should ODE,
without hesitation" Therefore, in re
Spouse to the lady's plant he approach
ed her, and having contemplated he
with his supernatural regard, asked:
< care you i'll, princess?" and his in
t'nse look seemed to add: Do you
think will permit you to suffer-"
The princess raised her fine eyes con
fdingly.to his face-eyes doubly beau
full from the tears of pain glistening lik'
diamondsin their depths. "Yes, suffer
ing intensely from neuralgia" she re
sponded. "Oh, if some one could helI
mew
II will relieve you Immediately" said
Il
look at me-" AS he spoke helaiL The
point of his index fin ger between he1
eyes. Omnipotence of irradiation ane
sympathetic projection! The princess
without the slightest hesitation, with
10 embarrassment whatever, lifted ur
her head at once, and the Operator
passed his finger lightly along the right
eyebrow. This prelude was 80 assured
so grave, that the most captious mind
cOu not have refused to recognize in il
power sure Of itself, and Of it's inflli
bility. The princess felt itinstantly, anc
all the sympathetic currents of her ma
ture seemed to concentrate beneath tina
lovely brow which the light fingers 0
the ope rator we're caressing. What fol
lowed, human language has no words tc
describe. The whole soul of Lord Fer
gus had passed into his fingers, ,ant
seemed t. emanate in waves Of electrici
ty from their very extremity. He be
gan by lassing his hand over the fore
head and cheeks Of the princess, scarce
ly grazing them, causing the delicate
skin to :re:nble as if brushed by a sof
zephyr. Returning afterward to tn.
juncture of the two eyebrows, he follow
ed the. contour of the delicate archie
with his thumb, swept, going back, thu
cheeks, and upward to the inner can
thus of the eye, to touch lightly TIL
nose, glide along the upper lip, hinge
moment at the corner of the mouth
and reach at length the center of tn
: chin where he; stopped.
Lord Fergus, as an experienced oper
ator, had reansons for stopping thus a
this first phase-preliminary phase, il
fact-for in starting anew from the chin
the operator became more energetic
and animated. He had sometimes en-
countered caprice and resistance from
the sick who were unable to bear his ir
radiations. He hesitated, then, to oh
serve the result of his efforts But il
this case the expectant and completel
resigned'expression Of the lady left hi,,
in no doubt; ard after remaining mo
ment with head thrown back and eye
,loooJ in n. Tor RI cO11act his pouors H.