Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-08-27

| my heart TO Qer. ABOUT Cue Or1SlHdI o.
| the photograph I reasoned this way
! She would not be carrying her OWL
miniature around in all probability. II
must have been lost by a friend, and
pfobably-here was the hard part of il
abby her lover. If I advertised it
he would claim it, and I should not
meet her.
81 didn't advertise. I did something
far more irrational. I spent my spare
hours searching. I visited stores and
walked the streets. I haunted the resi-
dence part of the city. I went to the
opera and scanned the boxes rather
than the stage. Needless to say, I did
not find her; yet I never lost hope. !
felt I must find her and look at her.
I felt this afresh every time I opened
this case. I would not give up the
search. When 1 had exhausted every
resource of my own, I did something
which 1 had shrunk from doing before;
haunted out the best detective in the
city and told him to spare neither time
nor money in finding her.
tWithin two weeks I received note
from him. He was obliged to leave
the town suddenly. He wrote some
thing like this:
"T've found her at 800 Water avenue.
Imogene Munroe. Will give you par
ticulars when I return tomorrow. She
Is anxious to recover the miniature
''But could not await the next day,
and saw no reason why it would be
necessary. I had the photograph and
would take it to her. Because of it
should insure myself a reception at
least.
ST went to 800 Water avenue that
evening. It is an elegant residence in
perfect keeping with the case and face.
I had scrubbed on my card, The finder
of the miniature The maid who adj
mitted me said that Miss Munroe was
at home. She took the card and left
me in the reception room. 1t was one
of the most-what shall I call it?-de-
ncious rooms 1 was ever in. One side
was lined with deep windows draped
in soft, dainty curtains and filed with
plants and flowers. The air was heavy
with the scent Of roses.
81 stood before one Of the windows
looking at the blossoms when she
came. She came so quietly and gently
that I did not hear her. 1t was only
when the sweetest, lowest, clearest
voice I had ever heard said, AT last I
am to have my miniature that [ knew
she was in the room. I confess trem-
bled as I turned and took the hand
off,
Allyn stopped and smiled. It was
half sad, half amused, wholly in
scrutable smile. My sewing had fallen
into my lap, and leaned forward lis
tening breathlessly.
'The hand Of the original of the pic
ture. These eyes, this mouth, this del
icate complexion, this same soft curl
ing hair. 7 was looking on it all, the
same butt
Allyn raised his eyes. The amuse-
ment had faded away.
'The hair was snowy white, and the
skin was wrinkled. Hers was indeed
the face of the miniature, the face of
so years ago. My foolish fancy was
destroyed, but in it's place came the
sweetest little white haired lady that
man was ever privileged to call friend.
And this miniature! Some way I had
strange reluctance to part with it,
and SO here it is with me now. That
is ALL" concluded Allyn abruptly.
'"That is enough l said quietly. 81
think that face has stood between you
and"-
Allyn broke in hastily:
ooh, that is nothing. l couldn't car
ry this" holding up the photograph, |
Into such places as l had been fire. |
quenting, and so-well, it's all right
Allyn buttoned up his coat and smiled
at me frankly as he went out by way
of the office door.
The doctor has always said there |
was the making of a man in that boy |
st. Louis Star.