The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-15

lounges; a conservatory, heaped up with
end Of It. thru doors of exquisitely |
f fTpoa q Gras shere befors th sfass
seeming to grow from the very
CRATE, to flourish in all the crannies, to
cover tables and bookcases, and even to
decorate the dress Of the young girl
coined me with cordiality.
Ny first impression Of the physiogno-
mist-an impression which remains with
me-was the outcome Of her extremely
youthful appearance. I am certain that
did not look it. Youth in rich gener-
osity was stamped upon her slightest &C
ton and her most serious word. 1t
flashed from her eyes, was seen in the
indispensable freshness of her complex
ion, in the golden sheen Of her hair, in
yelopment Of her slight but. well-formed
figure, If she had any serious mood, it
was not apparent when first I spoke to
her; nor did rapid analysis Of her face
tell me OF any uncommon mental power.
Her chin was a firm one, it is true; but
head above her ears, and that there was
even something Of weakness in her
forehead. At the same time there could
not be two opinions Of the general
charm of her manner; and she possessed
in very large degree that magnetic
niration which is peculiarly the attri-
butte of women.
Directly I had come into the, preten-
tious chamber of audience, and the fun.
ky had closed the foldingdoors behind
me, this fascinating little prophecies be-
another like the waves Of a river; her
natural excitement betraying itself in
the obvious restraint Of her gestures.
Tim so glad it's you'll" she ex
claimed, clasping her hands together, as
f bohep me ee o DEATH and there oq hve pen
twelve Of them here this morning. Col
onel Oldfeld told me all about you yes
terday and I was interested at once.
We must have a good long talk. Oh,
do listen to that dreadful creature; she
talks n in scales beginning ndagb at the lover
music Of heaven or earth. I suppose
she won't go away
Her remark, and the clapping Of her
little hands to equally little ears, fol-
lowed upon the sound Of alteration be-
tween one Of the ladies in the waiting
Apparently the lady would not depart
without seance, and the footman was
compelling her. In the end she went.
declaring the who e thing a cheat, and
"that chit Of a girl,' particular i'm
posture. When the sound of her voice
took up the thread Of her remarks.
"Now,' said she, 1T want to have a
good look at you, and you must have a
good look at me-. People like ourselves
should know each other to begin with.
Don It think m going to bore you with
clever for that. and would find me out in
a minute. You see, I'm like a man
with a good cellar: I keep the old wine
for the old birds who are not caught
with chaff. That 8 delightfully."- mixed
metaphor, ism It itf and not very polite,
down near the light, where I can see
you.'
She spoke so quickly that I did
not pretend to hear half of that which
she said, or to answer her; but seated
myself upon the ottoman near the en-
trance to the conservatory; and when
she herself took the low armchair
facing me. I saw then that she wore
a strange dress in the Egyptian fash
ion, and that her breast was all coy
cred with jingling gold medals, while
her hair was similarly ornamental.
upon her hand, ~ want to know from
me to ten you about your life, is it'''
81 will be frank, - replied; cit is
not. My life has already spoken 9
, good deal for itself. What I did come
here to see was the making of dia
to it," '''A'' u ''''AS A'''
t gaze, and then laughed little hardly
land you believed it9' she asked
presently.
r "Not for moment, said L, "but
/ thought it was not unlikely that yo'
r would not mind showing, me. am yer,
b much interested in jewels, you know.
t $50 am H. she exclaimed, but witt
= the air Of one whose mind is ava,
/, from the words-''t there is nothing
d more beautiful or more mysterious o.
= earth than diamond. 1t just seem
j which it gives us the lights when W
J. treat it well. And you thought I nigh
n amuse you with a tricks That was
q poor compliment, WASH It its'
If The thing was said with a swift re
e version Of her mind to the subject, a
10 I could see; and there was q world q
n them on me. :
It ut. was no poor compliment sal
A. man as Colonel Oldfeld that you ca
1T make rubies. He is judge Of jewel
IS "And very good one," she replied
/; "but really, there was nothing in m
m experiment.. What I do has been dor
ly by French chemists for twenty yea
(; past. The colonel came here with a
60 open mind-but you-you closed tt
d. doors of yours as you came upstairs.
Id protested feebly, but she did NJ
q: listen to my answer.
Of eyes, she exclaimed, speaking vel
lg rapidly, ~ have been thinking aboa
to you as you sat there, and am SUI
to that I know you now. You are ma
10 so well accustomed to steer in the sha
lows Of your business that you new
e look beyond them. You make a go
We pei Of distrust, and you consider CO
le fidence the sign of a weak intellec
TO You have been often deceived, for yo,
IA breadth of view is not large; and ye
~ will be often deceived again. It
ne impossible for you to conceive beaut
u, which is not salable; and for roman
or you have no place in your heart. "
10. have come here, saying all the way.
70 am going to interview an impostor; 81
. will not amuse me-most possibly 81
40 will bore me. 1t is ten thousand
y, one that her experiments are all ru
~ bish, but T will take the ten thousand
~ chance, in the hope that she might ha'
X found out something which / can 81
ne ne -sell-sell.' Yet you are honest
aJ a measure, since you ask me for trio
~. knowing well that trick is all you CT
= reasonably expect from me. You al