The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-09-06
. THE LOST Miniature.
II Reformed the Man
Who Found II.
~. ~
BY A. D. Lee.

1T is rather n peculiar case" he be-
gan.
/ smiled wisely. Every one thinks
his case peculiar. In reality 1t 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
snt quietly gazing out of the window
ncross the river. The smile was still
on my face as / suggested
''rhls peculiar case certainly has
its heroine"
ut has 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 n pleasure
to look at him.
Just now his expression puzzled me.
could not fathom it, but it invited
me to continue.
"IIave you her photograph with
your
Eyes"
He drew out of his breast pocket
small red leather case and, opening 1t,
handed 1t to me. IL needed but one
glance at the painted oval to make me
exclaim impetuously:
You love her. No one could doubt
that an instant"
Such plcture! 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.
IL do" returned Alyn-'most sincere
ly."
Still his expression puzzled Inc. An
inscrutable smile played over his face,
but he delayed beginning the story he
had volunteered to tell.
"And sheT / hesitated over the in
quiry remembering what manner of
man 1t was who had gone from us
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 II ever n man was fortunate that
man Is l. VIII you care to listen? /
used to tell you things when was II
boy" he added apologetically.
/ niclxa1 nm NV gaWinU nlNVauq lvinfg
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
lie held the case where his eyes could
rest on the face. His own face be-
came grave.
ut was a year ago. One night-or
morning, rather--I landed ON the ferry
on the way to my lodgings. couldn't
get street car or cab. In fact, l
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. / had Just strength
and sense enough left to pick 1t 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 awolie
and the first thing that attracted my
attention was thls-open on the floor
and her eyes looking up at meme i'll
that condition"
An expression of disgust good TO see
came over the mans face.
81 quickly shut the case ana put my
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 VIII think, fear, that am n
peculiar man. But the more l looked
at her the more I wanted to look.
never parted with the miniature.
carried 1t 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-
gngement always when they wanted
me. My engagement was with this
the lady OF the miniature. | had lost
my heart to her. About the original OF
the photograph l reasoned this way:
She would not be carrying her own
miniature around IN all probability. 1t
must have been lost by friend, and
probably-here was the hard part of It
abby her lover. II l advertised II,
he would claim II, and should not
meet her.
II didn't advertise. ] did something
far more irrational. l spent my spare
hours searching visited stores and
walked the streets. haunted, the resi-
sence part OF the city. I went to the
opera and scanned the boxes rather
than the stage. Needless TO say, did
not tind her; yet / never lost hope. l
felt l must find her and look at her.