Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-08-27
THE LOST MINIATURE.
1t Reformed the Man
Who Found 1t.
By A. D. Lee
By A. D. Lee.-


cit is rather a peculiar case," he be-
gan.
I 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. 1 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 l suggested:
"This peculiar case certainly has
it's heroine
cit has Il 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 1 had seen him. A years absence
from his old associate had certainly
been good for him. 1t was a pleasure
to look at him.
Just now his expression puzzled me.
1 could not fathom it, but it invited
me to continue.
''Have you her photograph with
you?"
"Yes.''
He drew out of his breast pocket a
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 pictured 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 with
conviction.
"I do" returned Alyn-"most sincere
Iy."
Still his expression puzzled me. An
inscrutable smile played over his face,
but he delayed beginning the story he
had volunteered to tell.
'And sheY 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.
81 think she is fond of me-" he re-
piled simply.
L stretched out my hand and Allyn
grasped it warmly.
81 do believe" he said earnestly,
"that if ever a man was fortunate that
man is l. VIII you care to listen? I
used to tell you things when I was a
boy" he added apologetically.
I 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.
ct was year ago. One night-or
morning, rather-I landed on the ferry
on the way to my lodgings. 1 couldn't
get a street car or a cab. In fact, I
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. 1 had just strength
and sense enough left to pick it up,
tumble up the stairs and stretch myself
Allyn snapped the case shut and
paused a moment.
Some time the next day I 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.
81 quickly shut the case and put N.Y.
self and my room in order. Then sat
down and studied her."
Still absorbed in his narrative, Allyn
opened the case again and dropped his
eyes on the photograph.
81 told you this was a peculiar case,
and you Will think, fear, that am a
peculiar man. But the more I locked
at her the more I wanted to look. I
never parted with the miniature.
carried ie around in my pocket and
thought and thought about her until
she became living presence to me, a
beautiful woman always with me. I
became absentminded. The fellows
but came to have an en-
gagement always when they wanted
me. My engagement was with this
the lady Of the miniature. I had lost