Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-18

and lilies of the valley closely set and luxurant,
grew in beds edged with moss around the roots
of the larger plants aud in many open spaces:
The air was very soft and warm. moist and 1ull
OF heavy otors as the still atmosphere Oh an
island in Southern seas, and the silence was
broken only ty the light plash oil soltiX iaiiing
waters.
Having advanced few steps from the door.
the Wanderer stood still and waited, supposing
that the owner of the dwelling would he made
aware of visitors presence and would soon
appear. But no one came. Then gentle volce
spoke from amid the verdure, apparently from
no great distance.
Il am here" 1t said.
He moved forward amid the ferns and the
tall plants, until he found himself on the lartner
side of thick network Of creepers. Then he
paused. for he was in the presence OF woman,
of her who dwelt among the flowers. Sne was
sitting before HIM, motionless and uprlgnt IN a
high, carved chair, and so placed that the
pointed leaves of the palm which rose above
Ter cast sharp. star-shaped shadows over the
broad folds of her white dress. One hand. as
white as cold, as heavily perfect as the scnip-
ture of Praxiteles or q Phidias, rested with
dropping fingers on the arm OF the chalr. Inc
other pressed the pages of great book which
lay open on the lady's knee. Her face was
turned toward The visitor and her eyes exam
incd his face, calmly and with no surprise IN
them, but not without a look OF interest. Their
expression was at once so unusual, SO disqulel-
ing and yet inexplicably attractive as Co
fascinate the Wanderers gaze. He did not re.
member that he had ever seen pair Of eyes Of
distinctly different colors, the one OF clear,
cold gray the other of deep, warm brown, SO
dark as to seem almost black, and he would
not have believed that nature could SO Tar
transgress the canons of her own art and yet
preserve the appearance of beauty. For the
lady was beautiful from the dadeni of her red
gold hair to the proud curve of her fresh young
lips, from her broad, pale forehead. prominent
and boldly modelled at the angle of the brows
to the strong holdings of the weli-balanced
chin which gave evidence of strength and reso-
luton wherewith to carry out the promise OF
the high aquline features and of the high and
sensitive nostris.
MADAM" said the Wanderer, bending his
head courteously and advancing another STEP
II can neither frame excuses for having
entered your house unbIdden, nor hope to
obtain Indulgence for my Intrusion, unless
you are willing, in the first place, to hear my
short story May expect SO much kiudness?'
He paused and the lady looked at him hxedly
and curiously- Without taking her eyes from
his face. and without speaking, she closed the
beside her upon a low table. The Wanderer
did not avoid her gaze, for he had nothing to
conceal, nor any sense of timIdIty. He was an
intruder upon the privacy of one whom he did
not know, but he was ready explain his pres
epce and to make such amends AS courtesy re-
Quired, If he had given offensr.
The heavy odors of the flowers filed his
nostrils with an unknown. luxurious delight, as
he stood there gazing into the lady's eyes; he
fancled that gentle breath of perfumed air
was blowing softly over his hair and face out
of tile motionless palms, and the faint FLASHING
of the hidden fountain was like an exquisite
melody in his ears. 1t was good 10 be IN such a
place, TO look on such woman, to breathe such