The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-11-02
LOVE IS STRANGE;
A ROMANCE OF THE UNEXPECTED.


Gerald Maury had spent SO many weeks
wandering about the picture galleries of
Rome that he knew every painting by
heart. Yet he still went daily to roam
through the rooms where the gems of the
old masters were on exhibition.
Here he had seen one day young
lady walking with her father, and her
lovely face had made such an impression
on him that he haunted the galleries in
the hope of seeing her again.
One night as he was returning to his
home in the suburbs he heard Il cry for
help. Running hastily along the road,
he saw an open barouche containing two
occupants. One was lady, whom he
recognized MS the lovely object of his
thoughts. A brawny fellow held the
horses firmly by their heads in spite OF
the drivers attempt to urge them on.
Gerald sprang forward and promptly
knocked the robber down. The driver
applied the whip and the carriage dashed
forward. At the same moment the young
man received stunning blow that rem
dered him unconscious,
He must have remained some hours
unconscious, for on coming to himself he
found his limbs stiff and chilled, and the
blood which had flowed from an ugly
wound on his head was dried and clotted.
His watch and what money he had about
him of course were missing.
For more than a week he was confined
to his room. On getting about again, he
made daily visits to the various art re-
positories in the hope of again meeting
the owner of the charming face. Maybe
she would recognize HIM as her rescuer
from the brigands, and then-who knew
what might happen? But all his search
ing was in vain. He made inquiries be-
sides, but they, too, resulted fruitlessly.
The fair enchantress had Disappeared
to HIM, most like, forever.
Gerald's stay at Rome had already eX-
cceded the allotted limits, and he saw no
reason to protract it. There were other
places he had designed to visit; but the
world contained now but one object of
interest to him, aud to that he had no
clue to guide him. He might as well 20
home as anywhere.
"Dear Gerald" said his aunt, Felicia
Thorne, to whose quiet country home he
always repaired when his mind required
soothing, and whittier he had gone as
soon as he returned, chow wan and Ian
guild you look. Your travels don't seem
to have improved YOU"
II quite agree with you, auntie," he
replied land so have come back to you.
You're worth all the spas in Europe"
"I'll have metal more attractive for
you soon," said Aunt Felicia. Outlet
Dalton's coming on Thursday"
Juliet DaltonY asked Gerald
who's she ?"
"The sweetest l-prettiest dearest
'Hold l-enough !-auntie, dear. She's
coming on Thursday, think you said P'
$50 she writes"
"And this is-let me see"---
Tuesday"
81 just happen to think" said Gerald,
'of some business l left unfinished. /
must go back to the city tomorrow"
"And not wait to see Juliet after all
my calculations on you and her becom-
ing fast friends declare it's too bad "
Gerald knew that Aunt Felicia was an
ingrained match maker, and there being
but one person of whom he could toll,
crate thought in that direction, he was
all the more decided in pressing the eX.
cuse of business. He would wait till to-
morrow evening train, but couldn't stay
minute later.
He and Aunt Felicia were chatting in
the sitting-room next morning when 6
hack from the depot drove to the door.
"Well / declared" cried Aunt Fe
licia in q tone of pleased surprise, after 9
glance out of the window.
'What is the matter, auntV'
"Why, here she is day ahead Of
timer"
"And who's she pray?"
Juliet Dalton!"
Aunt Felicia ran to the door and dowr
the steps, while Gerald beat hasty re
treat to his room, securing respite til
dr-iar time.
The servant called him to luncheon
but he excused himself-he never lun
ched now.
At last the dinner hour came. In spit,
of his aunts encomiums he had formed
no high opinion of Miss Dalton. Doubt
less she was some doll-faced, gidd,
thing, with whom to be compelled L
chatter nothings for an hour would b,
the extreme of torture to q man will
such an ideal as he had in his mind. HI
would have given anything for another
excuse, but couldn't pretend that dining
as well rs lunching, was an indulgenc,
his foreign travels had cured him of. III,
was compelled to face the music.
miss Dalton, my nephew, Geralt
Maury," said Aunt Felicia, presenting
him.
There was start of mutual recogni
ton. Instead of the doll faced beauty h
had dreaded being bored by, Geral,
found before him her whom a momen
before he would have given all the worl,
TO SELL And Miss Dalton, it was evident
remembered the face of which she ha,
caught moonlight glimpse that nigh
by the Tiber
accept my warmest thanks,' sh
said, "for your timely aid against tn
brigands. Papa tried TO find you OF
before we left, but could gain no trac
of you"
Then the whole story had to be gon
over for Aunt Felcia's benefit, and bc
fore dinner was over Gerald discovere
that that business in the city wasn't S
very urgent, after all.
They say he and Miss Dalton hay
planned another trip to Europe soon.
A Converted Newspaper.
Heretofore the press of Ell Paso, Texas, co
sistlng OF morning and two evening paper
has been unanimous In favor of the Dem
cratic ticket and for that reason the polite
campaign has uD to now been Il rather tan