The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-10-23
:. THE LOST MINIATURE.
It Reformed the Man
Who Found 1t.

v y
ut is rather peculiar case,'' he be.
gan.
l smiled wisely. Every one thinks
his case peculiar. In reality it gener-
ally proves unusual only to the one
concerned in it.
My book was turned, face down, on
the window sill. was ready to listen
but Allyn did not go on at once. He
sat quietly gazing out of the window
across the river. The smile was still
on my face as suggested:
"This peculiar case certainly has
it's heroine"
ut has a heroine, yes"
Alyn's eyes were so frank as they
met mine. His gaze had not been so
direct nor his face so clear the last
time had seen him. A years absence
from his old associate had certainly
been good for him. 1t was pleasure
to look at him.
Just now his expression puzzled me-
/ could not fathom it, but it invited
me to continue
"Have you her photograph with
you?"
Yes
He drew out of his breast pocket q
small red leather case and, opening it.
handed it to me. 1t needed but one
glance at the painted oval to make me
exclaim impetuously:
You love her. No one could doubt
that an instant"
Such picture! A dainty little head
covered with short, curling hair; deli.
cate, loving, teasing face; dark, full
bewitching eyes. The throat was bare
and an indistinct mass of white gauze
ended the portrait.
you must love her" / spoke witt
conviction.
81 do" returned Alyn-"most sincere.
ly.''
Still his expression puzzled me. An
inscrutable smile played over his face
but he delayed beginning the story be
had volunteered to tell.
And she" l hesitated over the in,
quiry remembering what manner OF
man it was who had gone from us a
year ago.
A gentle expression passed over
Alyn's face.
Il think she is fond of me-" he re-
piled simply.
l stretched out my hand and Allyn
grasped it warmly.
II do believe he said earnestly
that if ever a man was fortunate thai
man is l. Will you care to listen? !
used to tell you things when was d
boy" he added apologetically.
l picked up my sewing, always lying
ready against such times as this, and
leaned back in my rocker.
Allyn reached for the picture. He
leaned his head on one hand and his
elbow on the table. In the other hand
he held the case where his eyes could
rest on the face. His own face be.
came grave.
1T was year ago. One night-or
morning, rather-I landed on the ferry
on the way to my lodgings. l couldn't
get street car or a cab. In fact,
was too drunk to think of either, SO |
stumbled along just keeping straight
enough to escape the police. In front
OF my lodgings is an electric light. "A
slight fall of snow had whitened the
pavement and made distinct this case
beneath the light l had just strength
and sense enough left to pick it up,
tumble up the stairs and stretch myself
out on my couch"
Allyn snapped the case shut and
paused moment
"Some time the next day awoke
and the first thing that attracted my
attention was this-open on the floor
and her eyes looking up at meme in
that condition"
An expression Of disgust good to see
came over the mans face.
Il quickly shut the case and put my
self and my room in order. Then sat
down and studied her.
Still absorbed in his narrative, Alyp
opened the case again and dropped his
eyes on the photograph.
Il told you this was a peculiar case,
and you will think, fear, that am q
peculiar man. But the more l looked
at her the more l wanted to look.
never parted with the miniature. l
carried it around In my pocket and
thought and thought about her until
she became living presence to me, a
beautiful woman always with me.
became absentminded. The fellows
complained, but came to have an en-
gagement always when they wanted
me. Ny engagement was with this
the lady of the miniature. had lost