The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-02
A STUDY.

TWAS my first table d'hote dinner at the
Hotel dc Nice. AS it was only nearing
the end of October, visitors to the south
were as yet few and far between and of q
distinctly uninteresting order. While my
eyes were straying over the elderly COM
monplace Darbys and Joans gathered
round the festive board I began to regret
my choice of domicile and involuntarily
formed plans for beating a speedy retreat
on the morrow. was what is known as
a crusty bachelor and, worse, of uncertain
age. The former fact troubled matchmak-
ing mothers more than myself, as my COM
Portable independence rendered me COM
paratively content, and I did not yearn for
the joys ~ of f1reside of my own and
some one else to spend my money.
Ny greatest and most absorbing inter
est was conferred in humanity. I was an
ardent psychological student and in con-
sequence liked to surround myself with
youthful society and watch the buds un-
fold, as it were.
AS I disconsolately finished my bottle
of Beaune-T was feeling very dull-a
rustic Of feminine garments attracted my
attention, and as Slightly turned my head
stately lady, gowned in black, accompa-
MED by asingularly pretty daughter, pass
ed the end of the table and were accom-
modated with seats exactly opposite to me.
The experience of years at once told me
that the younger lady would form most
interesting psychological study, and
Immediately resigned all thought of Civ
ing up my room on the morrow and busted
myself with attending to the small wants
of my charming vis-a-vis. She could not
have been more than 10 years old, and her
face was as sweet and innocent looking as
child's, though her principal beauty lay
in her eyes, which were of a deep, intense
blue and very large and full with a dreamy,
unfathomable expression.
Later in the evening smoked cigar
with the manager, and in the course of
conversation learned that the lady in black
was a Mrs. Hillyard, widow of county
magnate, and that she was wintering
abroad for the benefit of her daughter, a
highly nervous and delicate girl.
In the course of few days was able
to render Mrs. Hillyard some slight serv-
ice, and the acquaintance thus begun soon
developed into a sincere friendship. She
was very chatty, well informed woman,
and passed many pleasant hours in her
society while silently pursuing my inves-
tigation of her daughter. The latter re-
quired q lot of knowing, and it took quite
a month of constant intercourse with her
before felt that we understood each 9TH
er. discovered her to be an unusually
pure minded and high souled girl Of a very
quiet and reticent disposition. Her mother
frankly confessed that to her she was a
complete enigma.
ttShe has never been different, Mr.
Blaine" she said sadly. "It seems imp0y-
sible to interest her in anything. From
her earliest years she has been the same
and never took to romping or toys like
other chEssren. If were superstitious-
which, thank heaven, I'm mott should
believe that poor Evelyn was under some
malign influence. When she was at board
ing school, her fellow pupils used to say
that far seeing look she has in her mourn
full eyes betokened an early death or a
tragedy. OF course that is all nonsense.
Still would give good deal to see her
different"
>. I suggested that there may have been an
unfortunate attachment to account for
Miss Hillyard's dependency, but this her
IlOGuer VenemenLly negaU1Ved.
"She has never shown the slightest par
tiality for any one," she resumed. 'I only
wish she would, for it might be the dawn
of a new existence for her She has had
many admirers and several offers of mar
riage, but she has refused them all with
cold disdain. She likes reading, though
not novels, as you may suppose, but what
call creepy literature, and if she has
real liking for anything it is music. I
have seen her spellbound at Paderewski
recital or listening to an oratorio"
"Alas, we have no Paderewskis here to
wake the sleeping soul, :" observed, glanc-
ing around at the stifiy furnished apart
ment and at its inmates, some of whom, en-
sconced in armchairs, were sleeping, not
wisely, but too well, as various stentorian
SHORES testified, while others were absorbed
in their game of chess or backgammon
clearly not en- assem- blage to interest q
young girl. In point of fact, Miss Hillyard
always madea point Of retiring to her room
Immediately after dinner.
A day or two later I was smoking and
Longing in the reading room when heard
some one performing magniflcently on
tho grand pianoforte in tee drawing
room. don't, set up to be niusi clan,
or even to understand the art, but it would
have been an ipsensate soul indeed which
could remain unmovcd at that glorious
harmony of sound. l threw away my CT
gar and sailed forth to see who the I'M
known genius could be, when just as l
reached the hall I met Miss Hillyard at the
foot Of the staircase. The girl was com
plcteiy transformed. Her eyes glittered
with some strange emotion and a mist of
unshed tears, her face was flushed crimson
and her lips trembled. She passed me
without recognition, and I could see that
he1 hands were clasped convulsively. She
stole into the drawing room SO softly that
the player was unconcious of her presence,
and l seeing how deeply she was moved
fc-elole to intrude and took a seat in the
vcstibule instead.
When the music ceased, [ heard the
sound Of voices. The kindred souls had
discovered each other. do not know how