Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-03

N K~A HMhLECItNG upon S1DyIS plan NI during the remainder of that E|zeeeEzs day, came to the conclusion
 that it was direct interposi- tion of Providence in my favor. It promised me time, which was my chief desire. To forget Anna Lamoine, or at least decide whether I should forget or pursue her, was the immediate need, and meanwhile must avoid meeting GibyL was afraid of recognizing her, afraid of being hopelessly prejudiced against her.
 1t seemed most likely, indeed nearly certain, that she was in Chicago visit ing some friend and preparing sur prise for me. With this idea in my mind dared not go anywhere, and a sudden fortunate descent of great heat upon the city gave me an excuse for restricting my movements.
 You're looking a little under the weather" said my father on the even ing of the second day. "Why don't you go out of town for few days?"
 I protested that I did not wish to leave him alone, but he would not hear of my remaining upon his account. He was perfect salamander; not even his collars ever suffered from the ef- fects of the heat, and he must stay in town for certain matters of business.
 Run across to St. Jo," said he. sSYou used to like that region"
 It had been upon my mind to go there, and as he approved took pas sage across the lake next morning. I had friends in St. Jo, but was in no mood to see them. Solitude was my desire. As was the case with Hamlet, man delighted not me, and woman far less. Every girl that looked at me was Sibyl in disguise, and in this proc ess of interminably mistaking stran- gers I lost the last vestige of my mem- ory of her.
 This result was assisted by some thing which had thought would work the other way. Between the leaves of a book in the library at home had found a faded proof of photograph which must be Sibyl's. The pose was unusual, for it permitted little of the face to be seen. only the curve of the cheek and faint suggestion of a nose. There were a hat and a mass of hair which might have been red, black or &CAAOW AO4 u4AA bAAL AuG PlLAb AGSEdACAP but the lady's ear was quite distinct and very pretty, I had a suspicion that the camera might have been pointed at it particularly.
 The photograph was quite recent, as ! judged by the appearance of the paper, but it had been exposed to strong light. had preserved it care fully for use in case of douht. It Beemed to me that should surely Recognize that ear, and yet suspected three ears on the steamer and a dozen on the streets of St. Jo within two hours after landing.
 had decided to stay a day or two Tn quiet boarding house where had lived for week half a dozen years be- fore. It was on an 'unpretentious street which seemed to have changed less than most other parts of the city. One of the suspected ears preceded me along this street and, to my surprise and might almost say alarm, entered that very house where I designed to stop. As for the owner of the ear, had 8 better view of her after dinner when she sat on the veranda with some oth- CT young people who lived in the house. learned that she was Miss Jones, a recent arrival and somewhat of a mys- tery-a fascinating mystery, for she was surely one of the prettiest girls that ever walked this earth.
 The first clear view of her set all my suspicious at rest. Sibyl would be no beauty, granting her the best that time can do for a growing girl. The < resemblance between them must ceF- fainly be limited to the ears, and there if might judge from the photographic print, 1t really was surprising. I stud led the ear with considerable interest in the light of an electric lamp that stood before the house.
 Some one introduced me to Miss Jones in . manner quite unconvention- al. and we had few minutes conver- eetion. She seemed cultivated wngn.