Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-07-02
cHArTER n.

L9ulpI16u Win Tag ana hammer,
August found me making pedestrian
tour Of Switzerland, with special view
to the study Of its glacial system and
lithology. / avoided the we'll -tFaveled
ways, thus escaping the society OF other
tourists, and l was therefore utterly
amazed when one evening, as drew near
| the little house which was my temporary
abiding place, tall form, strobe toward
me out of the darkness, and hearty
voice cried
",Jiml Jim Hillr"
what is it2' / replied, with a half
nervous start.
"Ah, thought it was my old friend.
Have you forgotten Tom Byrne2'
OF course not, for had met him occa-
sionally since We were boys, and was
heartily glad to see my former comrade.
always one Of the best of companions.
! saw your name on the book at the
inn he explained; 'sand was sure it
must be you. AT any rate, | thought /
would start out to meet you"
But how came YOU here in this out
of-the- way corner of the worldan | in
quired.
because it is out of the way. Mabel
and | are making trip in search of the
picturesque. You know she is quite al
artist"
So Mabel was with him. My heart
gave curious thump, and for q moment
could hardly make sensible reply.
Yes, he went on; s'she is SO devoted
TO her art that IL seems to quite absorb
her life. She has not Thought Of mar
riage, and does not care In the least for
the ordinary run of society. She will be
glad to see YOU, though, . he added con-
solingly, las you are man of science. )"
We walked back together to the little
inn, and presently was shaking hands
with a beautiful and stately woman.
whose dark eyes flashed with the strange
intensity and fire that had never seen
in any other eyes but those of Mabel
Byrne.
She greeted me very cordially, and
after we three had taken an evening
meal together there followed delight
full evening in the little parlor that Tom
and his sister had secured.
For once in my life felt ut ease in a
lady's society. In the first place there
was Tom TO keep me in countenance by
predominance of my own sex in the
company, then Mabel did not expect me
to talk of airy nothings, that light foam
of the social whirlpool which never vet
had been able to skim. She spoke first
of my scientific pursuits; she showed so
much knowledge of tho subject that /
found myself talking with earnestness
aud enthusiasm of the formation of the
country. and especially OF the glacial sys-
tenn and the curious marks OF its action
borne by the specimens had collected.
She, in her turn, contributed 10 the
evenings interest by telling me of her
work, and showing me her sketches,
which weFc really of artistic merit.
There was no schoolgirl weakness in her
handling Of the brush, but force and
poetic thought that had won her al
ready honorable recognition in the
world Of art.
And you have never heard of BTabel's
paintings until now, asked Tom.
mo- confessed. You know
have been quite absorbed in my special
studies
Eyes, and you have not seen Mabel for
ever SO long, have youl"
mo, | replied, not since that sum-
Iner ten years ago, when / was at my
grandmother
Jolly times we had, too, said Tom,
refectixely. ssRemember that party 1T
Mrs. Edwards'2p
A sudden rush Of blood to my face
utterly confused me. I stammered q
reply, and Tom. 70 nv relief, went on
with some rambling "reminiscences. Il
was some seconds before / dared TO look
at Mabel Surely she was blushing, too