The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-01-24

tremely fastldiOuS, with the result that
he returned TO his lodgings with the
conviction that Mrs. Brown was not able
70 produce a woman worthy OF his love.
The next night found him at the
theater. While the audience attended TO
the performance Mr.. Founder scanned
the sea of faces about him in the hope
that he would find the object OF his de-
sire. From his place in the pit-stalls
he carefully scrU tinized each individual
lady in the boxes. But she was not
there. Then his eyes swept the diff
ferent circles with like avail. The
dress circle absorbed the greater share
of his attention. Feeling that he should
leave no stone unturned, his gaze scared
even TO the gods" in case the one
flower he sought should be perched SO
high! But no. He then relieved the
strain on his neck by examining the
females in his immediate vicinity. but
none came up to the mark. His love put
in no appearance, and Mr.. Founder at
last let fall his eye-glass just as the cur
tain fell on the final scene, and he re-
turned 70 his lodgings, his future wife
still 10 be discovered
Nothing daunted, however, he pur-
sued his search day after day, but with
like result. He tried all the houses at
which he was accustomed TO visit, but
not one girl of his acq uaintance came up
10 his ideal, and he saw that he must
only extend the search Outside his own
circle, as the writer had stated in the
pamphlet. At the time that he came 10
this conclusion he was seated as usual
in his armchair before the fire. He had
no intention of giving up the search
without first trying every available
means in his power. He began 70 re-
volve in his mind what plan he ought to
pursue in order TO compass his ends
when he heard a timid knock ut his
door. In response 70 his 'comc in" the
door slowly opened, and, 10 his great
surprise, he beheld n lady, richly but
quantity dressed. advancing toward him
with a slow and graceful motion. Mr..
Founder was quite taken aback for an
instant by this very unexpected visit
Ladies had never before visited him at
his lodgings But his natural gallantry
and ease Of manner returned at once.
Removing the crook from his mouth he
got up, and, advancing To meet his vis-
itor, courteously requested her TO be
seated placing a chair for the purpose
As the lady sat down she slowly lifted
her vail, exposing 10 Mr.. Founders en-
=
beauty and an expression SO mournfuIly
sweet as deprived him of all power Of
speech and motion. Fixing her beauti-
ful eyes on mis- the lady said, in tones
that thrilled his every nerve: Mr..
Founder, / am your own true love
Then-he knew not how-the lady was
gone and Mr. Founder awoke.
lie could scarcely believe that he had
been dreaming Every thing-the party
at Mrs Browns, the theater, other
places and, last Of all, the beautiful lady
had seemed SO vivid and lifelike, bore
such an impress OF reality, that he felt
almost inclined 10 regard them as SO
many solid facts, and not a. the outcome
Of an overwroUSht Imagination
Dream or no dream, on one point he
was certain, that he had seen his beau
tifuI visitor before at some period OF
his life, but when or where, and under
what conditions. his memory failed TO
answer. lie was also equally certain
on another point, which was that he
was violently in love with her. She
said she was his true love, and he believed
her. What greater proof could he have
that she was the woman he sought2 AS
he picked up the pamphlet from the
floor and went 10 bed-it was long after
midnight now-he vowed 70 seek her out
or else perish in the attempt
Full Of his resolution, Mr.. Founder
rose betimes in the morning, and after
breakfast commenced 70 think what
course he ought 70 pursue in his inves-
LEGATIONS. What if he should insert an
advertisement in the agony column of
the Times something like:
If the lady who appeared last night
in q dream 10 Mr., Flounder, at his
lodgings at -, viii communicate with
that gentleman, either in person or by
letter, an arrangement may be ef-
fected7
No, that would never do It might
only bring all the girls down TO his lodg-
ings in a body, and there they would
remain. blocking up the street until he
gave satisfaction. He must try some
other way. Why not apply to Scotland
Yard for help2 Detectives were up 10
that sort of thing. Worse again Mr..
Flounder gave up that idea also. Such
\ course might involve the lady appear
ing in the Hue and Cry among a lot OF
others wanted" or 4 drawing OF her,
taken from his description, might en-
bcllish the police newspapers, with his
own portrait alongside. The idea gave
Mr.. Founder a turn He broached sew
eral other plans. but they all fell 10 the
ground. Finally be came 10 the con-
clusiou that the responsibility rested
entirely with himself, and that he must
only prosecute his inquiries in person.
StuPcndous as the undertaking seemed.
il afforded him the unalloyod satisfac-
tion of being the sole repository of his
own secret
Lighting a cigarette, he sailed forth
70 get little fresh air before com
mencing active operations lie felt
bit fuddled with the unusual strain on
his mental faculties, and required an in
terval to restore them TO their normal
condition. But, as he wended his way
along the streets, ne could not keep his
mind of his lovely visitor She fixed
his entire attention, making him totally
obiviOus of the noisy hum around him.
He did not even return the salutes ao-
corded him by many lady friends, who
passed him on foot or in carriage, but
steadily held his way, avoiding all OBJ
sJacles and dangers OF traffic by a species
of inner consciousness. The accidental
knock ng of his stick, however, against
some pro oection reused him from his
reverie. Looking up, he found himself
in front OF the National portrait gallery.
The ram was commencing 10 tall, and.
partly 10 avoid il, partly because he
didn't exactly know what TO do. Mr
Founder entered the building and wan
dered from room 10 room in an aimless
manner.
a little knot Of people standing round
one particular picture attracted his at
tention. Crossing over, Mr.. FioundeT
looked.
II was a painting of some beautiful
lady. quantity .ciad---perhaps fancy
dress ball costame." +" he thought. But il
rr-nl -ll. L.. rI-t..rh .I.-.,rI.ol 81 L..