The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-10-18
Story OF a Human Hand.
] A sooTcH LoYER's RusE.

When / tell you that in my story
there. is a broken wheel and a storm,
perhaps you viii accuse me of romano
ing; but l did not break the wheel or
cause the rain, and as my narrative is
true, / assure you that the wheel of
Lord Fergus 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 or otherwise. Some
times brusque, his manners at other
times were of captivating gentleness.
Occasionally without apparent cause,
he had sudden accessions of wild gay
ETY. or rapturous meditation. At such
times all that was obscure and strange
about this incomprehensible being was
revealed, and seemed to concentrate, as
in a double focus, in his eyes, intense,
unfathomable and majestic. His gaze
exercised such a mesmeric influence
over the gentler sex, that the noble lord
always took the precaution of putting
on green glasses when he desired to be
loved for himself.
1t is needless to add that he was
generally regarded as a magnetizer. In
vain did he contradict this explanation
with great sincerity that it was not by
magnetism at all, but by irradiation,
sympathetic projection, that he some
times quite involuntarily exercised
sort of fascination over some refined
natures. No one believed it, so per
sistent are the vulgar in wishing to
have explained 10y ordinary methods
effects of which they cannot compre-
hend the cause.
Be that as it may. After Lord Fer
gus had been sufficiently discussed, they
all agreed it to be impossible to under
stand the man. The secret of his
power lay entirely in the expression Of
his eye.
Lord Fergus was dreaming in the
large waiting-room of the inn. The
rolling of carriage and the cracking
of whips suddenly disturbed his rcvery.
Curious and idle as are all travellers, he
hurried 60 the balcony, and saw a
young lady descend from a four-hofse
carriage, who, as well as he could
Judge from SO great a distance, APP
peared TO be marVelOusly beautiful.
The lady proved to be the Princess
Gelsomina COrdileone. At that mo-
lnent a heavy roll of thunder shook
the house and made every window rat
tie The princess, dcathly pale and
with clasped hands, hurried toward
Lord Fergus, eXclaiming:
"In heavens name close all the doors
and windows, and remain with me p'
In the midst of the frightful tumult
of the elements they were imprisoned
for two long hours. Every time Lord
Fergus attempted to speak, the
princess, with a gesture Of terror, en-
treated him to be silent But if speech
were denied then their eyes were
eloquent, and when the last crash Of
thunder had passed away, theirdestinies
were more indissolubly united than if
their acquaintance had extended over
a period of years ''ris true, they had
not spoken, but silent 1oye is the most
vehement.
"Milord," then said the princess, 81
thank you for the service which You
have rendered me. Now if you will
be so kind as to order the carriage, my
gratitude will be complete"
Lord Fergus, with lightning rapidity,
went to do her bidding, and returning
Immediately announced the carriage.
The princess bestoweda a gracious smile
upon Lord Fergus, who bowed pro
foundly as she passed. But at that
moment an expression ofpain distorted
the face 6 the princess. She stopped,
pressed her hand to her left cheek,
and exclaimed, with "a suggestion of
tears in her Voice:
eOh, how I suffer- AS she spoke
she sank into chair.
Lord Fergus felt no surprise. He
had watched her preparations for de-