The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-03-09

floating wreck, that with his glass it had
appeared to him that some one was signall
ing, and he had sent to investigate. This
story, and not mine, was everywhere re-
ceived among my friends, and as [ noted
their plying glances when | eagerly re-
lated my narrative, | ceased finally to make
any mention of it.
But in the solitude of my chamber I
kissed the loved face which | carried against
my heart and heaped every dear and endear-
ing name upon it. | had a case of chased
gold made and fitted the picture to it. A
fine almost invisible gold thread was fast
ened to this, and it never left my person.
As often as / gazed upon the sweet face
which looked back at me | longed with
an intense longing for the original. My
heart cried out for my lost one. Willingly
would have spent all my days upon that
ghastly wreck to have possessed the joy of
her presence.
[ mingled but little in society, for it held
no attraction for me. | was considered a
woman hater and looked upon with curl
osity. But | was prosperous in my bust
ness Fortune smiled upon me- | made
rapid strides and all that touched seemed
to yield tenfold But whatever art had
in painting was lost, gone from me forever.
Vainly / strove to restore my talent. L
could accomplish nothing. Since the paint
ing of that one perfect picture all else was
Of no avail. Finally | abandoned the
effort in despair.
So time passed Years came and went
/ watched the gray hairs come about my
temples, and in my uneventful life counted
time ''by the figures on dial. .
Eighteen years went by. 1t was the
summer of 1889. We all remember the
great heat of that year. [ took little
trip into Switzerland, to Interlaken. The
first evening | was there, after dinner, |
stepped out on the piazza Of the hotel with
my cigar raised my eyes from lighting
it. saw standing at the other side of
the balcony the figure of a young girl.
Her profile only was toward me as she
gazed out at the beautiful view. Her light
hair was uncovered, and she had blue
scarf twisted about her throat. As look
ed she raised one hand to draw it more
closely, and | caught the flash of deep
red stone upon her finger.
My heart seemed to stand still. Throw
ing away my cigar and shaking as with an
ague, | approached her As | passed her
l was obliged to steady myself by the rail
ing. Her face was identically the same as
the one felt against my fast beating heart.
She looked at ME curiously and with SYM
pathy, and the pallor of my face might
well have startled her.
sought NJ LAME, the maitre d hotel,
and begged to be introduced. He hest
tated, but my earnestness increased, and
finally he presented me to the young girl
Her name was Marie Rance, and she was
travelling with her invalid mother She
had just left school.
'.You remind me of dear friend. =
said to her in explanation of my presump-
ton. The words quivered upon my lips
When night came, | took out the por-
trait. looked eagerly upon the face. 1t
was indeed perfect likeness of this French
girl But as [ looked it seemed to grow
less distinct, or were my eyes tired J? |
replaced it without kissing the lips as |
usually did.
Marie and were much together. We
walked or sat on the broad piazza looking
out on the beauties around u.s. | longed
to show her the picture, but refrained, |
knew not why. When l looked at it at
night it seemed less fresh, less clear |
wondered if caresses had injured it.
There came at last day when | felt
that Marie loved me- l OWNED that
precious gift was mine and for me was re-
served Gods greatest blessing. Tremb-
ling, though [ felt that the treasure was
already within my reach. asked for her
love- My arms encircled her, her warm
lips met mine Then | told her the story
Of the Fleur-d e-lis-a story had vowed
never to relate again. Her eyes widened,
her face paled like white flower.
esThe Fleur- de-lisp she exclaimed
Surely it is not possible, dear one My
mothers only sister, my young aunt,
beautiful girl, scarcely II, was lost on that
vessel 1t is for her | am named. She
was returning from England with com
panion and maid. They all persisted. "
Her blue eyes filled with tears. "You see
it is not possible, sweetheart
''But it is, - exclaimed, ''and | have
her portrait. | painted it, and will show
it to you now" 1 put my hand in
my bosom and drew out the case.
With trembling fingers 1 opened it.
Vaguely | gazed at it. There was moth
ing there; the face had faded utterly
While | looked, horror stricken, upon
the empty case there was breathed close to
my ear faint sigh Twice it came
almost imperceptibly, then it ceased. 1t
was not my companion, for when | looked
at her she was smiling,