Year: 1870

A TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER.-.LOyE


jealousy, Mistaken Identity and
Tragedy.


Many years ago, my health having be-
come much impaired by over study, was
recommended to pass winter in the south
Of France. OF so agreeable prescrip
ton readily availed myself. Twas with
cut wife or child to cucumber my depart
! ure; and, armed only with q portman-
teau, made most delightful journey Of
it to the charming town of v.
Shortly after my arrival, whilst sitting
at the window of my hotel, man passed
by so very much like myself that, struck
with the resemblance, I rose, and leaning
forward, followed him with my eyes. His
dress bespoke him an Englishman. He
was tall so was I. Slim; was slim.
His eyes were blue, his skin fair, his hair
a deep auburn, his nose aquiline. All
this was smy portrait. When he had
reached the bottom of the street, he paus-
ed, looked roand, then slowly returned,
crossing the road, however, and taking
the opposite pavement. This enabled me
to get clear view Of the man. confess
ed was much impressed with the re-
semblance, and hardly liked it. The
physiolo:ist, thought, may delight as
much as he pleases in such condolences
for my part l decidedly object to being
made portion of any sort of phenomen-
on. had read of very unpleasant con-
sequences following personal resemblauces,
and earnestly hoped that this individual,
whom nature, short of moulds at the time,
had undoubtedly cast in mine, would
speedily clear the neighborhood of his
presence.


A week or two after this, in taking a
walk across bit Of adjacent country,
suddenly encountered my likeness, seated
on rustic bench beneath tree, with his
arm encirclins the waist of very beauti-
full peasant girl. Her skin, of pure and
cream like tint, finely contrasted with the
splendid luxurance Of black hair. Her
eyes flashed upon me as l passed, and |
noticed her draw herself erect with rapid
hauteur, as if indignant or impatient of
detection. The man by her side, who
would have passed very well for me to
any other person but my mother and N.Y.
self, still maintained his caressing attitude.
He aid not cendescend to raise his eyes to
to me as l passed, but kept them fixed up
on the face of the girl, who, could see,
watched me with a species of sullen eag-
erness, as if wishing me well out of sight


As passed them, l must confess to
having experienced momertary sensa>
ton of envy of the man. Since nature
has put him in my skin, l thought, it
seems only fair that l should put myself
in his shoes. For all know, reflected,
that beautiful peasant girl might have
been originally destined for me; but the
intention of nature has been defeated by
her love of coincidence. laughed at
my thoughts as l walked on, and turning
corner, lost sight Of the lovers.


On reaching the bottom of the lane, |
found that | had fallen apon a cul-de sac.
The passage terminated in series of
fields, across which | could discover no
footpath. had no wish to be arrested
for trespassing, so decided on returning
the way had come.


On sighting the bench, l found it was
deserted. | was not sorry. l would by
no means have disliked another peep at
the beautiful brunette; but, at the same
time, had no ambition to inspire the
couple with the notion that | was watch.
ing them.


l had got to the top of the hill, and |
was passing between a row of thick BUSH
es, making sort of natural hedge for a
broad area of trees, like Il gigantic park,
wher was suddenly startled by report
of pistol discharged to my left. At the
same moment heard the hollow sound of
ball striking my hat, and that article of
dress rolled on the ground.


looked around with pale face. The
attack was horribly sudden. Who, in the
name of heaven wanted my life? For
what crime was my blood demanded :?
What had l done? saw the blue smoke
curling up from the densest portion of the
bushes, and heard the cracking of the
furze and twigs caused by the hasty flight
of some one.


Ipicked up my hat. The ball had
passed clean through it. Had it struck
two inches lower, it would have entered
my skull.


FASTENED toward the town, possessed
with much the same sort of enviable feel.
ings as you might imagine Tipperary
landlord or agent would feel who sees
threats of his life carved on every other
tree. Bravery in a situation of this sor,
was quite out Of the question. OF what
use is pluck when you have to deal with
invisible foes? l might also confess to
having broken into downright flight as
neared the town, so extremely anxious
was to escape every sheltering bush,
tree or hedge in the neighborhoSd.


On gaining my hotel began to reflect
on my narrow escape. I had been toe
much excited to attach to it the signif
canoe it demanded. But the hole in my
hat conveyed the most shuddering infor.
nation on my narrow escape. Beyond all