Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-06-24
have passed with a glance many

beautiful women and felt no need to
turn my head for further inspection
| am not of the cavaliering type; and
yet, here l was finding myself inter.
estcd in strange and indefnable
way-in a woman whose face l had
not seen, and whose name I did not
know. That, told myself, was the
secret of it. 1t was exactly because
she was elusive, mysterious in fash
ion, that l found my fiat interest
piqued.
never had more than the swish OF
her skirt or glimpse of her retreat
ing figure, until sheer inquisitivepess
gave her an augmented Importance.
At all events, she had luded me over
southern Europe, thel from Genoa to
Egypt, and wanted to see her face.
It was at Naples that had my
first cursory glance at her. 1 was
hurrying through the Galeria TIMBER.
to, on my way to a luncheon appoint
men. for which found myself late.
AS passed Merola's a young wom-
on was sitting before counter, with
her back to the street, trying on
gloves.
could appreciate the gypsy grace
of her figure, which was slender. be-
cause one Of the things at which !
had failed is painting. The single
thing at which have not failed, ex-
cept the success of having selected
parents who beQueathed me money, is
an appreciation of the beautiful. That
appreciation, despite my hurry,
brought me to stop for a fuller glance
at her; but there was no mirror at
any part of the shop which gave NE
reflection of her face, and as my ap-
pointment was Imperative l refrained
from going in to buy gloves.
But there was something so exqui-
site in her bearing, and in the taste
full lines of her simple travelling gown,
that caught myself thinking of her.
Then, as I went down to the quay a
day later to say farewell to some
friends, just as the gangplank of an
outgoing steamer was about to be
drawn up, saw her hurrying across
it. Her face was still averted.
I strained to catch feature, but
wayward gust from the bay wrapped
filmy veil about the profile-which
was for a moment turned my way
and hid it.
She did not turn at the rail, but lis
appeared as the gangplank came up
and cut off pursuit. But had added
to my first impression the knowledge
that she did not merely walk. She
scared as though her feet wore the
sandals of Hermes, and she carried
herself with the splendid grace Of q
slender young queen.
At Monte Carlo / was strolling on
the Boulevard de Condamine at night.
Ahead of me walked young man and
girl. 1t was she, and / had only
to hurry my steps to overtake and SEQ
her. l hurried but an untimely as
quaintance stopped me and held me
In useless talk until at a distance
saw her disappear into lighted door
way, against which her face and fig
ure showed only in silhouette.
The next two days l haunted the
cafes and the casino, but she had
gone.
Riding one day around the walls Of
Jerusalem, had glimpse of her
standing on the ramparts by the Gate
OF the Needles Eye; but as looked
up the sun was full In my eyes, and
l could see only the lashing Of her
skirts In the wind and halolike haze
of gold about her uncovered head.
was sitting on the terrace at Shep-
heard's hotel on the evening Of my ar
rival there. I was finding life fiat, as
one must who can discover no fas-
cination in Cairos appeal to the eyes,
nostrils and ears. Before me was the
olla-podrlda of touring fashion and
fellaheen sluaior; the smell of camels
and altar of roses; the polyglot chat
ter Of European pleasure-seekers and
the tom-toms of Arab pilgrims.
Then once more / saw her. But
still did not see her face. l suppose
there were other persons with her.
did not notice. / did notice the
salient thing. She was boarding a
NOTORIOUS. presumably for the Alex
andna train, and was followed by the
urdal Cairene retinue Of tarbooshed
porters and luggage-bearers.
My glimpse of her was again only
in exit My baggage had just been un-
packed, and could not also catch the
Alexandria train. Had 1t been her en-
tranc instead. should perhaps have
remained in Egypt and famed into
rebirth a languid interest in sarco-
phagi and cartouches. and camei-rid'
Ing and scrambling up the comfort)ess
slants of pyramids.
AS 1t was, sought out an empty
place on the terrace. where ununten-
tionally enough. overheard an earn
est conversation between fair-hatred
enthusiastic young Englishman and a
grizzled fellow in middle life. They
al In NJ