Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-09-04
THE LOST MINIATURE.
Il Reformed the Man
Who Found u.

BY A. D. Lee.- =
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1T Is rather a peculiar case" he be-
gan.
smiled wisely. Every one thinks
his case peculiar. In reality II gener-
ally proves unusual only to the one
concerned In II.
Ny book was turned. face down. on
the window sill was ready to listen,
but Allyn did not 60 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
Its heroine"
1T has a heroine. yes"
Alyn's eyes were NO frank as they
met mine. His gaze had not been no
direct nor his face 20 clear the last
time had seen him. A years absence
from his old associate had certainly
been good for him. II was a pleasure
TO look nj him.
Just now his expression puzzled me.
| could not fatbom Il, but II Invited
me TO continue.
Have you her photograph with
your
Yes"
He drew out Of his breast pocket .
small red leather case and. opening II,
handed II 10 me. II needed but one
glance ut the painted oval to make me
e1claim impetuously:
You love her. No one could doubt
that an instant"
Such a picture! A dainty little head
covered with short. curling hair: dell
cate, loving. teasing face: dark. full.
bewitching eyes. The throat was bare,
and an indlstinct mass Of white gauze
ended the portrait.
"You mus, love her" ! spoke with
conviction.
"I do" returned Alyn-"most sincere
ly."
Still his expression puzzled me. An
inscru,able smile played over bis face.
but he delayed beginning the story he
had volunteered TO tell.
And sheT' I hesitated over. the In
qulry remembering what manner OF
man IL was who had gone from US
year ago.
A gentle expression passed over
Alyn's face.
II think she Ii fond Of me-" he re-
piled simply.
stretched out my hand and Allyn
grasped Il warmly.
Il do believe" he said earnestly.
that II ever a man was fortunate that
man Is l. VIII you care 10 listen!
used TO tell you things when was .
boy" be added apologetically.
picked up my sewing. always lying
ready against such times a. this. and
leaned back In my rocker.
Allyn reached for the picture. He
leaned his head on one hand and bis
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 q year ago. One night-or
morning. rather-l landed on the ferry
on the way to my lodgings. ! couldn't
get street car or q cab. In fact. l
was too drunk TO think Of either. so l
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 Il up,
tumble up the stairs and stretch myself
out on my couch"
Allyn snapped the case shut and
paused q moment
"Some time the next day l 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 zee
came over the mans face.
81 quickly shut the case and 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 OH the photograph.
81 told you this was a peculiar case.
and you will think. fear. that am q
peculiar man. But the more ! looked
at her the more ] wanted to look. !
never parted with the miniature. ]
carried II 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. My engagement was with this
| the lady Of the miniature. ] had lnst
| my heart TO her. About the 0riginai Oh
the photograph reasoned this way:
She would not be carrying her own
miniature around In all probability. II
must have been lost by friend, and
| probably-here was the hard part OF u
abby her lover. II I advertised It,
he would claim II, and l should not
| meet her.
IL didn't advertise. ! did something
far more irrational spent my spare
hours searching. I visited stores and
walked the streets. haunted the resi-
dence part Of the city. l went to the
opera and scanned the boxes rather
than the stage. Needless to say. dio
not find her; yet never lost hope.
felt must find her and look at her
j felt this afresh every time opened
this case. would not give up the
i search. When I had exhausted every
resource Of my own. l did something
which had shrunk from doing before
| haunted out the best detective In tne
city and told him to spare neither TINT
nor money In finding her.
"within two weeks Ireceived 2 noe'
4 from him. He was obliged to Ieavs
j the town suddenly. he wrote some
thing like this: