The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-03-09

BAD SOrJ Oh iciOw. AAO ~A
been intended for business; ne
had been too highly educated, and at
his fathers death he found himseil
in the position of well-educated, pol
ished and wealthy individual with
nothing in which he could exercise
the inherited family shrewdness.
One particular day, Jermayne came
to the stupendous conclusion that ne
was in love. This conclusion was ar
rived at with all the deliberate care
which his cautious instincts necessi-
tated: it was final with him, and II
unrequited would involve solitary
existence for the rest Of his days.
The favored lady was not beautiful IN
| form or feature, neither was she tai 4
ented or particularly clever, and she
was decidedly poor In the worios
goods; but she was general favorite,
being gifted with a sweetness OF man
ner and an amiability altogether
charming; particularly so to Jer-
mayne.
It was. he analysed, so obviously to
her advantage to accept him, yet ne
did not desire her to marry MIN LOT
such comforts as he, with his wealth,
could give her; what he wanted was
proof that she was absolutely disinter-
ested: that it would be for love, and
love only, that she would accept him.
Late one winter afternoon Jer-
mayne was dressing preparatory 10
going out for the evening. In the
course of that evening he fully
. intended to place his future al
her disposal. He had secured tickets
for a certain annual charity festival,
and in the course of an hour OF two
; he would meet her there.
+ Jermayne was man whose tastes
. were unusual: he was fond OF the
r quaint and bizarre in art, and MS
v rooms abounded in ornaments OF curl
Il Gus origin and strange workmanship
Among these was small ngure Oh
Chinese make, the figure OF man
DARN with a nodding head; a fantas
70 tic image with solemn face and higi
10 bald head that moved when toucnes
+ and kept moving for some minutes
h- afterwards.
90 Exactly what the figure had to d
~ with after events Jermayne neve
h know; 1t was strange circumstance
however. that as he held 1t IN nj
hand he expressed the wish whic
was so amply granted.
ed If" he said, Il could read pas
10 lives and present thoughts but for on
IN day should know whom could tru'
on and whom to avoid"
20 He placed the little image back 9
:, the shelf, and the figure commence
~ nodding at him. He had place
IN the mandarin in front Of Il
IN lady's photograph, and her Ia
ne. seemed to smile at him; one of tho
I'M bewitching smiles which had seal
"a Iermayne's affections. Then ha
is seemed to spread throughout the roo
The "Mv nerves must be out Of ordel
va- he said to himself. as he proceed
~ with his toilet. He paused befo
the mirror to put finishing adJu
ment TO his tie, when suddenly, witt
NY gasp. he sank into chair, and
MS came to him that his wish had be
ing granted. Just as in a dream incidel
1t fash past one, which in waking ho'
ON would take days to accomplish, so
Ell. IN that brief moment had seen
NV mean actions of his past life;
"a childish deccits of his youth, follow
an by a panorama of petty meanness
He became at once disenchanted "
mar himself as he sat in his chair, all
age. little conceits gone from him.
q to With an effort he recovered him!
by and finished dressing, keeping az
tee, from the accusing mirror
mace He pulled himself together, too
I in sip of brandy, and went out into
In street.
,rre. At the second lamp he passe'
man. a personal friend, and
fellow. well known for his Charts
noo and benevolent nature. Jerma
ms. avoided him ever afterwards.
arge moved on rapidly with sickel
the sense of what was to come.
ssult- He came ext to house whel
who hall was being held. lady was
II to ing her carriage. AS he paused
her to pass him, she raised her
to his. and he knew her to be
rave of note, but, alas! he recoiled a
Alto. at what was revealed to him.
.r of Jermayne paused, turned round,
-, hurried home, looking neither to !
not TO left of him, avoiding the
gave of all passers. He fastened to
1uties rooms and flung himself on c.
1t he He dared not face his sweetheart
amily night. The housekeeper heard
great looked in and then went out and
e last a doctor. ,rhe doctor was y
ything man with future Deiore hiln' nc
,rv 10 friend of Jermayne.s. and
told a rouno a' ono