The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-08-06
me an escaped lunatic.

me an escaped lunatic.
'You have picture in your case be-
low-whose is itP' inquired nervous
ly.
ga picture! Why, there are two
hundred! How should know which
one you meanp'
Every true; did not think of that.
But, pardon me, sir, one of those pho
tographs reminds me most forcibly of
an absent friend whom greatly desire
to fipd. win you be kind enough to
lend me your aid in the mattor?'
Certainly, sir. Your manner
when you first came in ledme to doubt
your sanity. However, l am now re-
assured, and shall DC most happy to
serve YOU
His kindness avalcd little. The
photographer could not tell to whom
the picture belonged. IIo concluded
that it must bo the order of transient
visitor to tho city; the negative had
been destroycd-and SO departed in a
moro disturbed condition of mind than
before.
81 had intended to pursue my pro-
fession in Southern California, as close
attention to work had induced n pull
monary complaint from which in this
mild climate l hoped to obtain relief,
but all my energies were directed to-
wards finding the original of the haunt
ing evasivc photograph.
Il secured an engagement upon the
staff of an evening newspaper Whcr-
ever went--in church, theater, or up
on the strccts--my whole soul was ABB
sorbcd in searching for what major
ity of persons would call an illusion.
In the fuliillment of my duties / was
sent to furnish Il report of the COM
mencemcnt exercises of 4 woman's 8
college at Oakland, just across the bay
Some strange impulse moved me to
send down my report and to accept an
invitation from the president of the
faculty to attend an evening reception
at the college hall. This was not in
consonance with my ordinary habits.
for peculiar and sometimes most un-
pleasant ditlidcncc led me to avoid
rather than seek public asscmblagcs &C
the kind. The night was warm, and
the ladies sought the pleasant balco-
nies overlooking : the bay to enjoy the
refreshing breeze from the Pacific. AS
l sauntered up to one of the windows l
observed a young woman, who in somo
mysterious way did not impress me as
stranger, gazing ubstractcdly into
the starry depths overhead. Thinking
that it WAS some one to whom ! had
| been introduced during the evening, l
aroused her from her reycric by COM
monplacc remark. As she turned her
face towards mino our eyes met. !
started back in aStonishmcnt. ] had
met the lady of my dream!
"Pardon me, but we have met be-
fore believe, | said hali-apologctical-
| ly, rs soon rs | could collect my scat
tered senses.
81 do not know. sir; there is certain
ly familiar tone in your voice. She
spoke in the same sweet and bewitch.
ing tones so deeply fixed in my men,
ory. In my confusion, | quickly adj
dcd:
"It must have been in Arabia
1.-The eyebrows wcro arched in sur
prise.
81 think not, sir,-I have never tray,
eled IN the East
'Wcll, to cut my story short. last
ing friendship was formed then and
there. You have met Mrs. Manches.
ter She has proved all that my dream
forctold. 1t is true that she has nc
rccollections OF having bccn my com
panion in the desert sands OF Africa,
but | am none the less convinced that
she is the 'tacwin' from whose lovely
face | snatchcd the veil. IL EGWin RuS-
| sell Morse in (HicI1O yj1bNnp