A Magic Handkerchief.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 567, 8 January 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

A Magic Handkerchief.

Th<» worma *tr« hallowed that did brood the illk. Tin: Signora Cotfi's npartment was in a ftoinan palace, hut not on the grand stairway nor in the pinzza noblio. You roach it by one of those charming labyrinths constantly found in such groat houses Knlering by ono of three portoni, you presently find yourself in a littlo paved court which sugecls a confu.iion of images. On one side is a conch-house where you would havo expected to s.>o a drawing-room; at the opposite a fountain tosses its limpid little jets against a background of carven and mossy sione, and frngnients of seulpturo and inscriptions are let into the wall that hero separates the court from a garden beyond. If you aro staying in Homo a month, and are _ going to write the inevitable book telling all about it, you will pause to mnke a note : ' Ono of . tlio groat differences between the European continental menage and the American is that in America we hnve a place for everything and ovorything in its place— in continental Europo, not.' You will, however, have made a mistako ; here, also, they have a place for everything and everything in its place ; hut it ii tho same place for everything, which is moro simple, if less orderly. After various mystifications as to tho way, you arrive presently at tho foot of a steep, winding stair, which starts with an air of solid determination rather discouraging to a new-comer. Plainly it does not mean to stop very soon. Noithor is it like thoio delightful stairs which dawdlo up a few steps, then pauso at a wide landing, thon saunter a f'ow steps further to pauso again, and so bring you up to airy heights without fatigue and almost unconscious of climbing. Blank walls wind about with you in this closo spiral ; not an inch of rail oU'cr.s its support, and scarcely a my of light shows tho way. ' Out of breath at length, you welcome a barred window. Tho stairs go on, but you stop. You are now half-way up. Another climb brings you to a door and a second window. Hero a rudo temporary wall shuts out further ascent for human boings. but tho stairs crawl under and go winding up whoro only your imagination can follow. Tho door opens, you pass a dim anloehamber, and instantly the scone changes. Bright chambers full of sunshine give you a viow, over tho housetops, of trees and gardens, and the distant blue line of sea curving about tho hori.son, and standing out boldly against all theso, tho towers and cupolas of the old city — Oivita I Vccchia, as they like to cnll it, But ono might visit this houso for month* without over thinking to look from tho windows, thero were so many beautiful objects within; and tho nv>.st charming object in tho house was tho tho mistress of it, a bright littlo lady, who, after having been a wife for ono year, had remained a widow more years than you could well believe, looking at her faco. So small, so dainty, so irosh was she, you half wantod to sot her in a vase and call her a rosebud. That, indeed, was tho name by which Miss Fanshaw ofton called her, and which sho has whispered in her ear at the moment wo enter tho room. ' Stay and tako tea with mo after tho others are gouo, my darling,' whispered tho Bignora. ' Yes, Eosebud ; but I must sond the carriage home.' ' Leave that to mo,' says tho Signora, pressing her young friend back on the sofa, wh<3ro sho sat a little apart from tho company. 'If you stir you will spoil this cornor of tho room for those who come in. You uro as good for mo as a statue horo, i and I know you don't wish to talk to any ono. See ! I will Ledgo you in with a stand of photographs Novr sit and look just as borod as you ploaso. It becomos you.' ' I am g'.ad I look bored,' Miss Fanshaw thought, turning oror the pictures. I was afraid sho might think me tad. j Bosiden, come to tlink of it I ajm bored, '

"^ by will ponnV mako such lent; cills find talk so stupidly?' Tn f-u'f. i ho rails vere not lonr nor Hip tnlk "fnnkl. The oompnnv was oonsfnnflv changing, nnd rather exceptionally clever Tt wi one of tho Sijyr-o'a's weekly rpeopHods, nnd Ilio boston fluttered about from ono to another like n bufforfiy over n parterre, her clear voine distinguishable in the soft oonfmion of minplod tongue*. Fnglish. French nnd Ttalinn, ns she welcomed the cominp, spprl the parting guest, dropped a word on art, polifipq or gossip, or displayed her latest acquisition, a box from Fpypt containing old coins nnd idols silver ornnmentg and a magic handkerchief. Tins lost treasure, n wide fringed Rcarf of bright sfriped silk twinklinp nil through wifh rold threads, «ho had wrnpped ohout tlio shoulders of a marble bust of Augustus. •I am always superstitious about it.' slio. said. 'Tf certainly is n sort of Allnddin's lamp nnd brings pond luck to tlio po«so<-sot\ In <hp few days since it enmo T have bpcomp reconciled to a friend whom T believed to be pntirply ost'ancrod. linvo succeeded in. a doubfful undertaking nnd Imvo rooeivod a dozen presents. Look nf this lovely intaglio ; nnd this piece, of old Inee with oupids'nnd crowns on it ; and thi<i malnebitp paper-weight with its gilt ioo-rnrt holding n out ervstnl ; nnd these »'pnn«ifiil photographs— nil (he piftsofthe handkerchief. Tf any one hero should bnvoo, sperinl pood to wish for oro specinl ill to get rid of, let, him come some, dnv and hold this talisman a little while. It wns blessed hv a Mohammednn prlent. brought from Mecca by a hadji and sent me by a rmOin.' Miss Fnnshnw turned her bead as if to look nt this treasure— half rose as if to examine it more nearly, but sank into her scot npnin. As the western sky errew saffron with sunset tho company dropped nway ono hv one ; and nt Aye Mnrin the Sipnora Cetti enrno back from her ln»t lenvo-tnkincr and found Mi«s Pansbnw holding tho mngie handkerchief so p]o<»ely to her fneo that seemed to be either kiting or whispering to it. She dropped it with a careless • Tt. is very pretty ' when her friend onterod. 1 1 hope no ono else will come to-night, for T want to tnlk with you, dear.' the Sipnora said. 'Wo hnve two good hours before us. T Rent word to the coachman not to come bnck till 10 o'clock, nnd by ♦ lint time T shall hnve you as bripht n<t n bird. T made you stay, for T knew that you were out of spirits and thAt no one con cheer you liko me Tnke off your bonnet now nnd wo will hnve a cosy chnt. Here is tho tea-trny and you sbnil hnve this litlle table the princess gave me to set your cup on ; 1 don't allow orery ono to u<»o it.' Tt was evident to the Sipnorn that something more wns the matter with her friend than the listles*ness of a hello weary of society find fin tf pry. Mi'ms Fanshaw often grew tirpd of fashionable life and came to her for sympathy, but she had always a ready word and smile. Now she leaned on the tablo before her pale and mniloloss. trifled with tho spoon, and icnt away her tea untasted, aeeming unconscious oven thnt shf bad dispensed with thoso smnll courtesies which her more experienced companion would not hnve forpeften had *ho been pnawpd by the historical vulture. The older lndy knew whnt youth U, and wbh not diiplonned by these "omissions, but went cheerfully about preparing the wny for an explanation. She put out all tho cnndles but two — ' Ono run never talk confidentially in a full light,' she thouuht —thrust a bit of lighted paper under tho wood in tho fireplace for a tramonfnna wns making the, May evening chilly, dropped hersolf into a low arm-chair, swung tho yellow satin screens botweon her und the blaze, and, putting out tho tip of a lilliputian slipper, drew a stool under her foot. Having settled hersolf comfortably among tho cushions, ' Speak now,' she said, ' or for ever after hold your peace. Don't think mo unfeeling,' slio ndded quickly. ' There is no pain of yours that would not griovo mo. JJut lam ho suro that you are mado for happiness, and that all your troubles are temporary, I cunnot bo vory much alarmed about them. 1 ' Oh, it's the «amo stupid oM complaint,' Miss Fanshaw said, slightingly. ' [ sometimes wish that I had been born poor, though porhaps it is vory ungrateful of mo to havo such a thought. Tho poor havo a sort of liberty ; they can be alone sometimes ; they are not obliged to smile every day from breakfust to luncheon, and fromdinnerto midnight, perhaps all night ; and if they are sought it is for themselves.' ' My dear,' tho Signora replied with decision, ' tho liberty of tho poor is all moonshine. It is a mistako thut thoy can be alouo when they will, for they live in herds and cannot afford to havo privacy. It u certainly a great luxury to have a bit of solitude when ono wishes. Sometimes, when I havo sent Maria away and lain down for my noon rest, I thank God for a place and timo whero I can hold my tongue. Then, a rich lady can always have a good long headache, and shut herself up without any damage to her finances ; tho poor havo to go about and work whon they havo headaches that aro not sent for. You do well to say if they aro seldom sought ; thoy meroly happen to eomo together. But even their seeking, my innocent, is not any more disinterested thp.n ours. Giacomo marries Felice for her roba of a locket, two plates and a knife, just as my lord marries my lady for her palace and villa. As to tho smiling, it is nothing when you aro accustomed to it. I ofton smile involuntarily when anything very displeasing to mo occurs, just from a habit of self-control. You aro very young yet my dear, but after a fow years, whon you shall havo got well Qtted into tho social armor, you will listen to tho jingling of its littlo chums and buckles as to tho rattling of pearls in your necklaeo or of those lovely coins about your arm. Cinque-eouto, aren't thoy ? and more precious than gold. But this axquisito old armor of society is of still higher antiquity, and, what cannot bo ■aid even of your coins, it has never passed through vuluur hands. I maintain that a perfect self-control and high breeding aro impossible to common persons, no matter whai their advantages or their effort! to acquiro them. Then, my court-lady, with your toilots tho admiration of overybody, and your daintiness a proverb, fancy youriolf in a dingy grown and shabby dhoei !'

Yt this «\\W. :'lirrinx'th(>^i','norfl sat upnt'li' r>rd r< i >.ardcd her i ic 'd with f lic : triumphant expectation ofmsuut surrouder. Miss Frtflshnw did not shnddor. 'It wouldn't br> plensant, I suppose,' slio ad- ; miffed trnnqiiilly. Tho nhiidow of her friend's suggestion was too faint to show on the deeper shadow of her mood. The Signora rose with the air of ono who abnndons trivial means for serious, crossed the room and removed from the shoulders of Augustas his Oriental drapery. ' Partly to beguile the dark spirit out of you and partly to reo how pretty you will look,' she said, ' I'm going to arrange my mngio hankerehicf on your head as an Egyptian coiffure. The moment it touches your hair you will see a peep of li'ht, and before you take it off there will be a rainbow over your sky. Como hero, dear, and bo exorcised.' Smiling faintly. Mi«s Fnnshaw pushed forward a cushion and seated herself at her friend's knees. The Hignora commenced the ceremony by giving her a kiss on each cheek, then bound the glistening fabric around her forohend, stiffened it into a crown at the top and arranged tho long fold that drooivd ovor each ear, leaning to see tho effect. It wan magical. Miss Fanshaw — with her brown hair all drawn back nnd looped in a single braid, and only a few waves and tiny ringlets nbout hor forehead, with her robe of gray cashmere, so pale as to be almost white, arranged in long close folds about her, and no ornaments but a rufT of old lace nnd a few coins — vrnt a fashionable lady whoso uncommon beauty allowed her to adopt now and then with impunity a severe style of costume; but with that scintillating drapery surrounding tho pnlor of her face and shadowing her solemn eyes she was a sibyl. Her friend had seen her in all the spendour of court nnd fnney dress, but had never thought her so beautiful as now. 'Tf there were a fairy prince here, ho would instantly propose to you.' who said. 'Don't speak of proposals!' the sibyl exclaimed, almost impatiently. The whole subject is unpleasant to mo. People will persist in marrying me *o somebody, and persecuting mo about him, «o that I never seem to belong to myself. Do you know, now it is Baron Ofto. He is a favourite with mamma, and comes to tho hou^o just as others do. I like him well enough, but T don't Hire that others, whoso conversation I should listen to with pleasure now and then, should persist in leaving mo alone wifh him Even Mr Conrad does that ; I thought ho had more sense. 'So did I,' responded tho signora hastily ; I must feneli him better.' 'What a beautiful ruby!' Miss Fanshnw said, and fnrned tho gem on the smnll hand sho was playing wifh till it enught the light in a spot of blood-red flnmn. 'I am getting to prefer rubies; ♦ hey nre not so common as diamonds. GVtellant must look up some for me. As for pearls, I will never put them on again. TJey's imitations spoil the renl ones. But, speaking of Conrad, T don't b'lievo you will see him again, fie sets out for Florcnpe to-morrow, nnd will fjo north — to tho Tyrol. St, Petersburg, perhnps to thn Norlh Polo. It's n terribly frigid programme. I shivered to-day when they told me. He called to say good-by, but wouldn't allow mo to be cilled. I bud gone out into the garden a minute to «how tho Karon our violets. ( F must send you some by the way. Why didn't I bring them to-day ?) lam sorry Conrad should avoid mo when tho Baron is present, for ho is a superior man, and Beldora condescends to vNit us poor trivial, fashionable folks. I esteem Mr Conrad highly.' Fttering this last sentence, Miss Fanshaw raised herself from her friend's lap with a haughty air, as if replying to an accusation. Tho talo beneath the words that another's voico would have told by faltering, another's cheeks by blushing, this lady told by her pride. It was a sweet but sad litlle story, with out a plot, but full of infinitely delicate complications. These two had been drawing nearer each other for months, tho affection that each would have had for tho other exalted in tho man by tho thought, ' vSho is unspoiled by flattery and untempted by rank,' and in tho womin by a perception of this thought of his. Their state of unexpressed content and unquestioning confidence was like that early morning hour in Summer when tho sun is not yet risen, but tho sky is full of its gold»n glory and no human being has yet marred with speech the swoot silence. Such a state is perhaps more delightful than anything that can follow it, but it is also more perilous, for if a misunderstanding occur explanations nro almost impossible. A misunderstanding might easily occur in a case liko this, where tho man lived a life of dignified quiet, occupying h'S thoughts with art, literature and travel, and the woman was the centre of gay and fashionable society, and tho mark for a scoro of titled fortunehunters. The Signora thought a moment. *Do you know by what train ho starts P' sho asked. 'I should so liko to send a letter by him to Anna Brnnnan. I could sand word round to tho Cortanzi to-night — this minuto.' Miss Fanshaw bent over her friend's sparkling rings again, 'It is too Jato now,' sho said. 'Ho sots out at half-past 0 in the morning.' Thoro was a moment's siloncc ; tho a tho girl looked up quickly and mot tho Signora's eyes fixed on her in tender sympathy, and, full of tears as bright as tho diamonds that twinkled in hor oars. A swift glanco passed between them, an arrow of intelligence from ono woman's hoart to tho other, and instantly th<» ono dropped against tho other's bosom, and tho other hold hor closo. Two or threo little sobs, quickly checked, a few tear*, quickly wiped away, and Miss F'tnshaw shut the door of her heart, almost burst open. ' How hystorical ono gets after a Wintnr of dissipation,' she said. Tho Signora did not dream of being displeased or oven surprised. Words wore unnecessary, and a more expresHed confidence would havo been embarrassing to both. Sho moroly hold tho girl tenderly, stroked her cheek now and then, and studied what it might bo possiblo for her to do. But before the plan had well begun to form in her mind a ring of tho

d'nr-bell qUrlled the two o.it of their ] embnn'< . , Of course the reader knows who ' entered. j 1 Oli, Mr. Conrad,' exclaimed tho Sis;nora, ' I am glad you have not quite discarded all your Trends. I hear you nro going awfi}\ saying good-bye to no one. Lily says you wouldn't allow her the j chance to say ' bon voyngo.' I I Tho two saluted each other with per- , feet politeness ! ' I hnd but fire minutes, nnd Miss Fanj shaft was engaged with visitors,' he said. ' 'And kek of time must be my excuse for coming hero so late.' | Tho Signorfl *m at her wits' end. • Hero were two iceberg to thftw ; end only five or ten minutes time to do it in. If she could kindle a groat conflagration, do something tragical, it would not have been so bad ; but the whole thnwing process must bo accomplished by the softest j little breaths. She called attention to her friend's hend-dress and told tho story of it, but the gentleman expressed no desire to try its magic properties. She begged j him to tnke n letter to her friend in Florence, and prepared to go to tho furthest corner of the room to write if, yet the two showed not Iho sliglitost consciousness that they were to be left, to talk to each other. She proposed on leaving them tlmt the sibyl should tell Mr (Jonrnd's fortune, but Miss Fanshaw declared that the virtue of tho handkerchief had not yot penetrated her brain sufficiently to impart second- sight. Sighing, but hoping, the Signora retired to a distant writing-table to communicatethat very important business which must absolutely be known in Florence within twenfv-four hours. And this is what she wrote : My Dear Anna: I thought you micht liko to are Mr. C mrad, no niado this letter an excuse. T don't rpo why bo should leave Homo, and if you can contrive to send him back yon will do well. F don't lilto nice ppoplo to ro away. Not a bit of news Lily Fonshaw bore/1 to death, us urinal, hy suitors, and by people who will inaisfc that sho if to bo married to this nnd that one. Now it is Baron Otto. Tell everybody you kpo that Hiero inrt't a word of truth in it. Yonr«, affVetionatnly, Lumta. Cei'ii. I.S. - Did it ever ocrur to you to think that lovers arc tho most stupid and obstinate of peonlo— l don't know what put it into my mind just now— how they quarrel for nothing nnd protend to bo indifferent, and sib and talk to each other with the n>ost exasperating politeness, when all tho time thoir hearts »ro breaking If only thoy could havo a little common sense 1 Adieu ! L. C. PS 2 — When a girl looks pile in saying good-by to a man, he's a wretch if he doesn't seek an explanation. He has no right to expect her to givo him any clearer sign. Oond-by 1 L. C. Y. S 3-1 (ii t»st! the man who brings thin. Jim pride and willfulripss are abominable. I don't want him hero »ny longer. W'll it be believed that tho Signora was a beautiful let(f>r-writc P It must be borne in mind that she wrote this with all her mind and one of hor eyes occupied with the two whom she could see over fho nilo of books before her, sitting by the firn as unmelted as marble. They had not made an inch of progress. Despairingly she eamo out of her retreat, gave her letter and saw the gentleman rise to take leave. ' Oh, I want to show you a photograph of VerluriM pictures,' she said. 'It was brought me to-day. Come, Lilly; I forgot to tell you to look at it. If you would kindly bring a candle, Mr. Conrad, we could see Ix-tter. Sho led Miss Fannliaw to tho wall against which tho picture had been pinned, and with a glance directed the gentleman where to stand, just behind thorn, holding tho candle over their shoulders, 'If once he can take a good look at her when no one observes him, it may melt him,' thought this tender schemer, catching now at straws. Sho expatiated as long as possible on the merits of tho picture and the artist, but tho hand holding tho candlo did not tromblo, and Miss Fansbaw had oelually turned hor head tho other way. Sighing and vexed, she dropped the girl's arm and relinquished her hopo for that night at least. It was of no use trying to help people who wouldn't bo helped. But oh ! most exquisite of accidents ! As the hand holding tho candlo was withdrawing itsolf, a dclicato breath of air lifted a fold of the sibyl's vail and flung it over the wrist ; the fringo caught a button, and with tho tiniest possible shock the sibyl, s averted face was brought round, revealing, not disdain nor indifference, but largo eyes brimming with tears, and a sweet mouth compressod with tho effort of self-control too long tested. Soappid in tin breath of tho divine deiire All tin vitia AwftttiCß with whioti o nrentloa thralls, N.'iluro hroakn f.irtti, nnd at hor brotth of fire Th "Üb'irixlo Know pile i molten image fulls, And ltfo'« HCAred prlontcraru fir before the truth Who t nam« li P«»3lon, whos* gre»t altar, Youth. Talk of the bashful loveliness of a consenting maiden ! There is nothing so beautiful as the light that breaks into the face of a man when suddenly ho seos love in tho face of ono beloved. Tho Signora caught the candlo from hor visitor, tittered a little scroam in which a particle of fear was mingled with an affinity of triumph, and muttering something about hot wax on her hand, ran out of tho room. 'I was going away because they told mo you wore to marry Baron Otto,' snid Iho gentleman promptly and honestly, like tho manly man ho was, telling his own story before demanding hers. •And you should not havo believed such a story from any ono but mo. It is not true,' the lady rnpliod. Sho looked whito and shining liko a sun-touchod fountain-top. Soveral little incidents happened in tho next two minutes. Mr. Conrad rcloasod his sleevo-button from tho magical fringo that entangled it, at tho same timo whispering a fow words that bound him far moro closely tliHn that frail link. Maria appeared at ono door to announce tho Signonna'B carriage, hor mistress having vainly tried to call hor back without being heard, and immediately altdr thfl Signora entered by another. 4 Who would havo thought it was already 10 o'clook P' said Miss Fanshaw. •That comes of your having throo clocks in the room, Luigia. How did you put on this hoad-dress ? Oh, I havo found out. Lot mo take, it off, please, myself.' As it slipped down over her shoulders sho dropped her face aside and ki§«ed furtively tho shining folds. Catching her glance as she looked up Mr. Conrad saw for tho first time hor fair, cool faoo bloom with a rosebud blush. Tho gcod-nighti were said decentfj and

' in orW, but; no ono scorned to recollect th>\t, this hnd been n farewrll cull for one of thorn. The gentleman attended Mi«if» i Fan«hnw down to lior carriage, Maria ' lighting tho wny to the court with one of ih(j"f lonfr-hnndlod Inmp.i it is « wonder tlioy nr^ not constantly Hrttincr theniiplvps 1 on firp with ; irhilo Lovo, holding his torch aloft, threw its hoautiful radinnce over a longer path than tliat of the Signor* Cetti's stairway. S? ' You blessed lmndkorohief !' the lady wa* snyinjj. as she arranged the sillren drapery again over the marble shoulders of Aiignsttn , ' yon are good, suporlatirely good, for everything but to carry the post. Do you ser that letter on the table ?' ' Do you want me to post this letter P' Marin asked when she cime in. 'Well, no.' said tho Signora; Til post it myself— between the andirons' — [Lippincott's Magazine.