The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-04-09

How are you'"-approachingly
How are youg"-indiferently
You remember mei"
Eyes"
''Sure?"
Quite"
That's odd Satisfy me by mentioning
when and where we met"
Midway across Brooklyn bridge, 2
o'clock in the morning, year ago, when
you asked for light from my cigar
"You have q good memory for faces,
sir"
81 have; though in this case no better
than yourself"
But I had reason for observing you,
;for was to meet man did not know by
sight, and asking for light was merely a
= signal. My cigar was not really out"
Il observed as much when the ash fell
of, and eyed you narrowly in conse-
Quence."
did you, indeed! Then the wondermeIt
diminishes.
''Will you take cigarf"
Thanks: and II you wish to return the
favor of year ago-a light"
It was summer night; the two men had
casually entered a restaurant on Union
square when a mutual glance of recogni-
SAOh AdA lNS ~ LlC 1OICSOlAk u4dlUkUo-
The first speaker, he who had had the
appointment on the bridge, was a man in
the prime of life, and one who would have
been remarked for his handsome appear
ance in any gathering of male beauties
An ingratiating smile played about his
mouth. an air of comfortable assurance
pervaded his person, his eyes moved leis-
urely, as If in expectation Of customary
good news, suggesting ready disposition
TO share any favors the gods might send
him-a man whom ninety-nin out of a
hundred would trust at sight, and despair
of their senses when they found themselves
betrayed.
The other could make no pretension to
good looks, yet his was good face, an in
telligent face, conspicuous by a pair of
heavy eyebrows, a pale complexion and an
expression which seemed wavering be-
tween sadness and merriment. He bore
signs Of rough usage, but none of defeat.
Horatio-ike, perhaps he had learned to
take fortunes Bullets and rewards with
equal thanks. His inferior attire, smooth
shaver face, when taken in connection
with the almost historical haunt where we
find him, would have led any one to de-
scribe him for just what he was-an actor
81 can't help thinking, none the less"
resumed the first who had rather forced
the conversation, that it is most sur
prising coincidence our meeting again in
this fashion and recognizing each other2'
And he turned look of deep inquiry on
his new acquaintance.
Don't your" he added emphaticaIly, to
provoke an expression of opinion the actor
seemed dubious of venturing.
This gentleman shrugged his shoulders,
replied:
My opinion is that there is more method
In the chapter of accidents than we are ever
likely 20 give the author credit for have
almost ceased TO believe in the thing called
chance There is a divinity which shapes
our ends, rough hew them how we may
excuse me quoting, it is a way l have got.
But talking of our meeting year ago and
remembering each other now, reminds me
OF a curious experience I had about that
time, and will illustrate my point. By the
way, it is small boast of mine that I
never forget face, and sooner or later can
invariably place it"
Il, for one, am not disposed to challenge
your faculty"
The actor acknowledged the compliment
with a wave of his cigar, and continued
''Well, sir, within three months | had
three glimpses of girls face, each by the
veriest chance, as you might well say; for
few seconds of time, few feet of space,
and the opportunities would never have
existed. Yet those three occasions were
three links in a tragedy"
The professional man tilted his chair
back against the wall and prepared to be-
gin. Fragments of their discourse had
caught the interest of several bystanders,
so his immediate companion was by no
means the Thespian's only auditor.
Il was standing on Broadway with some
old comrades in art-funny don't see any
of them here tonight-lingering 10 hear
the last of pretty good story. The climax
was a good one, and | wheeled sharply
round, doubled up with laughter, and only
tust succeeded in checking myself IN time
10 avoid serious collision with lady and
gentleman on the middle of the sidewalk.
] raised my eyes and was about 10, but
have misgivings that l failed TO raise my
hat. But had ample excuse, for then /
got my first glimpse at the face / am tell
Jag YOU about All! what glorious face
1t was All bloom and health. Baby golden
hair frizzed over her forehead. Great blue
eyes full of original sunshine, happy as love
could make them. l went my way some
to compute the benefit that girl could con-
fer bv Just walking up 81 principal thor
oughfare. l caught myself murmuring
Wordsworth before knew II:
Her hair was fair. Oh very fair.
Her beauty made ne glad.
But, after all, what was she 20 me- l
soon ceased to think OF her.
1T must have been i've or SIX weeks
later when, rushing up town On business,
found that a string OF horse cars on Broad
way had caused block on Twenty-third
street. In my haste was lodging 10 and
fro for an opening TO squeeze by the car
rage which stood upon the crossing, when
a movement of its solitary occupant caught
nv eve and again revealed TO me-yeS, gen
tIemen, the same young lady, indeed, but
NOT the same face. Il woulo De dIIncuIt 10
tel YOU by what details l knew II again,
for il was colorIess and inanimate- 1t was
still beautiful, bur wore an expression SIM
pIy appalling IN the depth OF It's despair
Sueh a changed had fancied that face the
garden playground . love and hope, IL hza