The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-06-11

the set Of an ear. 1t was painful that he no
sooner fell ia with Jolly man or agreeable
woman than ho was forced 10 realize certain
avaricious lines, a development Of cruelty, or
other indications Of deceit vanity, lOquacity,
or selGshness.
Very naturally his reputed knowledge had
discouraged the intentions Of a number Of do
lightiui young ladies, heires5es, fine dressers,
aud in all respects most desirable daughters in
Gotham. Each young lady Of his acquaintance
was, in Mr. SkldmOre's presence, cruelty con-
scious OF her tiptilted nose her lack OF chin, or
cars improperly hung.
Now, however, as Mr.. Skidmore continued
20 feast his eyes upon the picture Of the fair
unknown, he realized that he beheld the
shadow OF perfect feminine face. 1t was the
face lie had talked aud dreamed Of but the
face he had seen only in the sculptors or
painters creation.
Here, indeed was the perfect oval, the classic
contour iE which bis tUtorcd taste delighted I;
that low, broad brow, from which the hair
rippled downward, just brushing the tips Of
the small, wel-set ears, dark, straight, but
clearly-dcfned and delicately. penciled eye
brows swept over the eyes, 0VeTshadoWiug as
81 were the large, clear, soft orbs Of the un-
known. The nose was perfect; large enough
10 suggest mentality, and with long, open,
artistic nosirils; aud ii was set above the love-
lest mouth Mr.. SkidmOTe remembered 10 have
seen. Neither large nor small, this perfect
mouth suggested loves caresscs, while yet SO
| firm aud clean-cut as 10 warrant dignity AS
well AS sentiment, irmness as well as soitneBs.
Perfect being!" muFmuTed Mr.. Skidmore.
who can she boz An American, / Judge, by
her delicacy and the frank freedom of her eye,
| and yet I'd swear she is descended from proud
| patTician blood. All! that chin, that deeply
cleft and perfect chin, indicating at once de-
cision of character and quick understanding.
This - the face Of my dream. IL answers
every demand OF science IL conforms 10
every rule Of perfect physiognomy."
Again aud again this young man murmured,
The face Of my dream. True" he cried,
softly, :" j do not know her name, nor have
/ seen her, nor do ] know aught Of her family
/ or enyiroument-nothing, the world would say
yet science declares that know all. know
! her, and ] shall end her"
From the low running commentary in which
Mr.. skidmore INDUCED. it was evident that
he Was at least scientifically struck, but the
next few minutes discovered 10 tho eager physi.
| ognomist several discouraging facts. First, he
bad observed that there WAS no trace Of the
| photographer who did the work. or Of the city
in which il had been taken. The photograph
itsclf-an oval Enclosing the head and bust
was only an artists unfinished proof, eareessly
cut and pasted on blank square of cardboard
Horrible!" murmured the young man
"but ah what is this2" and. holding the
picture again 10 the light he exclaimed, some
| thing written-a name-what il it?-hers
| trust-ah Daphne!"
Her nane-Daphns II must be so-I
name chosen of the gods. Daphne, Daphne
fair attendant OF the chaste DIANA Daphne
Daphne, how glad am no other woman Of oul
set bears that dear delicious name! aud n,
other name would fit this classic nymph. How
uncommOnl how fascinating! how miguel"
Suddenly Mr.. Skidmore seemed TO have beer
seized by some new emotion. For nearly al
hour he had been gazing almost continuously
upon the alluring shadow. All at once ht
seemed 10 realize that his new. found treasure
was but the unsubstantial promise Of the per
manent picture. That which he held was bn
the shadow OF a shRdow-the hint of a dream
IL was only the artists proof Good Heavens
now he understood. lie recalled the blacI
handkorchief-why ID had been hidden from
the light; and he-he who had but found he
was exposing her image 10 destructi0ni
Seizing the handkerchief from the floor, h,
hastily covered bis ideal, and transferred 1t h
his inner breast pocket.
"Fool!" he muttered. ain a few days.
J hours Perhsps-that face would have faded