Smyrna times., 1892-03-16

as he worried through the intricate
toilet of man of fashion.
All through the day the face be had
seen in his dream kept recurring to his
mind; whatever he took up mirrOred
it. If he tried to read, the type gradually
faded away aud the now familiar fea-
lures stared back at him from the open
book.
Being lit of an artist, he thought
to make drawing Of the face, and
shunt it off his mind on paper. He
drew hundred heads; none of them
suited him, and the mystic she would
not be thrown from his brain
At the end of the month Percy was
hOrrified to find that he had fallen in
love with this visionary girl He was
really provoked at this; to think that
he, hardened flirt, should lose his
heart to a girl whom he had never
seen and who probably never existed !
What nonsense Nevertheless the
deed was done, so he set about eradi-
eating it as quickly as possible. He
tried hard, but, somehow, just as lie
thought the memory trampled out, it
sprang up again, more deeply rooted
than ever.
At length, tired of struggling, he
made up his mind to travel, and prove
beyond a doubt that he loved but a
tgment of his own brain. Accordingly
be ordered valet to pack his trunks,
and then broke the news to his father.
BY that understand that only half the
story had been told the old gentleman,
namely that he, Percy Crane, wished
to travel, where, he did not state.
Being an indulgent parent, the elder
man willingly agreed; the only com
mand he gave his son was not to get
into trouble and bother him.
1t is needless to follow Percy's ram
bles over the world suffice it to saw
that everywhere he looked for the ina
aglnary lady who occupied his every
thought. He was angry at his en-.
tirely unoalled-for display of emotion,
but there was no help for it.
He arrived In Paris, one night, very
tired and very cross. Feeling glad Oi
his release from the railway carriage
be announced his intention of walking
TO hotel, and ordered his valet to ride
on ahead with the baggage.
He wandered along slowly, wonder.
ing which turns he would have takeu
had he not known the city from boy
hood. The poorer streets were passed
and he was about to emerge into Q
broad, brilliant avenue when he no
ticed well dressed young lady walk.
ing rapidly in the same direction, fol-
lowed by a coarse, british looking
man. Fearing foul play, Percy deter
mined to cross the street and place
himself between pursuer and pursued
But he had not time TO do this, for the
man closed rapidly upon the girl, anC
aecOsted her. She hurried on, paying
no heed to his words. Mr.. Crane be
gan to think that he had made a mis-
take when he heard a scream. H,
darted across the street, and, seizinl
the man, who had thrown his arm
around her waist, sent him sprawlinl
into the gutter. With a fierce Oati
the brute sprang up and rushed at him
but he reckOned without Mr.. Crane
for well-directed blow sent him OIL
his back once more. Two more fin
ished him and left the rescuer to at
tend to the safety If the rescued.
The girl who had covered in g. cor
ner while the battle ragged, now cam,
forward and thanked Percy for hi
assistance. He bowed and declared
that he had done nothing, but she per
sisted that he had. On the way HON,
she told him she had lost her way
while shopping and that her poke
was picked in the street. At her doc
they exchanged cards, and parted OF
the most friendly terms imaginable.
''Strange :" Percy muttered. %,
have heard that voice before, / an
sure Sorry l could net see her face.
He put the card into his pocket, anC
resumed his way, musing.
After dinner it occurred to Percy t
look at the card and see the name o
the fair damsel in distress.
adele de Navailles. Now, wher
have l heard that name2 Why, O
course I've letters of introduction t.
her father, and will present them to
| morrow"
True to his resolution Mr.. Crane sa
in the drawing-rOOm of the de Nav
ailles's house the next afternoon II
| presented his credentials with the fin
est bow he could summon to adorn tn
occasion. Struck either by the beaut,
of the bow or pleased by the tenor Q
the letter the young man had give
him, Monsieur de Navailles was yer,
polite to his visitor.
II hope your daughter has recoverer
from yesterdays fright, SIR" Perc
presently remarked.
Entirely, thank you but tell me
are you the gentleman who renders
her such timely assistance ?'
Mr.. Crane mOdestly assured hiI
that such was the case.
"Then," said Monsieur de Navaillei
permit me to escort you to m
daughter, that she may thank yol
herself"
Mr.. Crane saw no objection to thi
and intimated as much.
He was led up a broad, imposio
stairway, and ushed into pretty littl
sitting room. In window, seated b
low work table crammed with WOOL
silks, and all the paraphernalia this
women love, was girl. She rose an
faced them. By all the saints in th
calendar, here was the face of h
dream Mr.. Crane was not usual
given to any display of emotion; /
fact, he thought it bad form but th
time he really could not contain hin
self, and actually allowed his surpris
and confusion to be seen. He was {
overcome that he did not notice tn,
mademoiselle was affected in the san
manner.
To say that Papa Navailles was a
tonished at this emotional pantomim
would not half state the case. h
stood with his hands thrust deep I'M
his pockets, and his ample mouth vic
open as though he expected the key
the mystery to be popped into It.
"Well, young people, havn't yc
stared at each other long enough ?n /
demanded at last, angry at the pr
lOnged silence.
Percy made a tremendous effort al
mumbled a few incOherent wor,
which the girl answered in the san
manner.
well, that Is a strange coincidence
Percy muttered, little later, as
sauntered homeward, or rather, hot,
,. ward.
y After that he made his way pret
u often to the house of the de Navaill,
Now that he had found his fate he Il
no time in putting It to the touch.
- proposed as soon as pOssible. receiv