AN ADVERTISEMENT INTRODUCES THE HEROINE.
"By the way, I have something to show you. I clipped this advertisement
from a leading New York daily paper this morning, and have read it
carefully many times. Somehow, I have an abiding conviction that it will
lead me to the high road, on the way towards the successful solution of
my problem. I am going to apply in person."
Full of curiosity, George Gaylord took the clipping and slowly read
aloud:
"WANTED: A skilled mechanic, qualified to act in the capacity of
landscape gardener and agricultural chemist. Applicant must be a
strong, healthy young man, of good habits, pleasing address; with a
general knowledge of business methods, and an excellent moral
character. Qualifications must be well attested by recommendations
from reliable parties. A graduate of the Philadelphia School of
Industrial Art is preferred. Salary liberal. Apply in person at the
office of
BITTERWOOD & BARNARD, Atty's.,
Atlantic Building, Washington, D. C."
"This is curious! It seems to point directly to you, Fillmore. I do
wonder in what peculiar capacity you are to act, and who your real
employer is to be? I shall be full of unsatisfied curiosity until I know
the sequel."
At this moment George Gaylord was suddenly interrupted by an
unlooked-for gust of wind whirling around the shoulders of the big rock
standing above and behind them. The fluttering paper slipped from his
fingers and went sailing away over the tree tops, down the mountain
side, with that erratic up and down, eddying motion peculiar to run
away, fly away papers. In an instant both young men were upon their
feet, intently watching the uncertain flight of the clipping. A few
moments later it fell to the ground, just at the feet of two ladies who,
with heads protected from the sun by large parasols, were slowly walking
around the bend of the broad, well kept road, winding down the mountain
side. The younger of the two ladies picked up the advertisement,
hurriedly scanned it, and then raised her eyes to discover the two young
men as probable owners of the truant paper.
"Ah!" said George Gaylord, "I recognize those people. It is Miss
Fenwick and her travelling companion. Come along Fillmore, let us join
them at once and claim your lost clipping. The opportunity for an
introduction to two very interesting ladies, who are among the most
noted guests of the hotel, is too good to be lost."
Accordingly they hurried down the steep path that joined the road near
where the ladies were still waiting, at a point full three hundred feet
below.
Approaching, with hats in hand, George Gaylord said: "Allow me, Miss
Fenwick, to introduce to you my friend and college chum, Fillmore Flagg:
for a peculiar purpose of his own he wishes to regain possession of that
flighty paper which, fortunately for him, the prank playing wind carried
to your feet but a moment ago."
With a slight inclination of her queenly head, she turned with a
dazzling smile to meet the inquiring glance of Fillmore Flagg. In a
clear musical voice, full of thrilling cadence and power, she said: "Mr.
Flagg, if you are particularly interested in this paper, I am very sure
I am quite happy to meet you, and take pleasure in returning it to you
now; I trust that we may have the opportunity of becoming better
acquainted before you leave these lovely mountains." Turning to her
companion she continued: "Permit me, gentlemen, to introduce my friend
and companion, Mrs. Bainbridge; Mr. George Gaylord, who is just entering
the ministry, and his college friend, Mr. Fillmore Flagg."
Mrs. Bainbridge responded with a pleasant smile. She was a tall, well
formed, well preserved woman of forty; full of a quiet dignity, with an
air of refinement that fitted her like a garment. Her heavy dark hair,
coiled high on her shapely head, was just slightly silvered with gray
and seemed to be a fitting foil to her large melancholy black eyes--eyes
that from their slumbering depths seemed to impress the beholder with
suggestions of some mysterious power, gleaming messages, like beacon
flashes, from her inner life. With her becoming dress of rich, dark
cloth, gloves and parasol to match, she looked the cultured lady to
perfection.
Turning her steps up the mountain, Fern Fenwick said: "Gentlemen, as it
is near the hour for supper, we had best return to the hotel at once. I
think too, by this time the mail from the station must have arrived."
Fillmore Flagg was at her side in an instant, choosing the side opposite
the parasol, which gave him a clear view of her charming profile. George
Gaylord and Mrs. Bainbridge followed a little more slowly. The
conversation soon became animated.
While they are thus occupied let us try to get a more complete picture
of Miss Fern Fenwick. Her round, exquisitely proportioned figure was of
medium height, straight as an arrow, full of grace with every movement.
Her quick, firm, elastic step was Youth personified: a charming maiden,
she, of twenty summers. The artistic outlines of her plump arms and
shoulders, beautifully modelled bust, throat and neck, so admirably
proportioned, would have satisfied the most carping critic; poet or
painter, he would have pronounced them a dream of perfect symmetry. Her
queenly shaped head, so gracefully poised, like a clear cut cameo, was a
poem of intellectual development on lines of rarest beauty. Her thick,
glossy hair of dark chestnut brown, fine as spun silk and inclined to a
wavy crimp, was artistically coiled in a most becoming style; small ears
of perfect shape, and transparently pink, were set close to the head.
The curve of the brow, in perfect line with the pleasing oval of both
cheek and chin; a Grecian nose and cherub mouth completed the perfect
contour of a face and head of marvellous beauty--a beauty made more
brilliant by large, lustrous eyes of blended sapphire and amethyst,
flashing jewels of deep violet blue, so clearly expressing the varying
emotions by their ever changing tints of sparkling light. Her dress, a
close fitting gown of rich, soft, silver gray material, was stylishly
made, with a narrow line of lovely lace at the throat; perfect fitting
gloves of the same shade of gray, with a parasol to match, completed a
costume that seemed to bring out and intensify a most charming
complexion of pale pink and white, faultlessly smooth and transparently
pure: at once indicative and prophetic of a strong vital temperament,
perfect mental and physical health; pure, highly cultured mind and a
wealth of personal magnetism--that silent charm of mysterious
potency--pervading and surrounding her like the perfume of sweet
flowers, winning the unsought admiration, friendship and fidelity of all
who came within the radiance of her powerful magnetic aura. All this,
and more, Fillmore Flagg perceived and felt. He walked and talked as one
in a dream. Never before had he met so fair a vision of female
loveliness, with grace so winning, gestures so perfect and voice so
musical. His heart, overflowing with a new ecstatic emotion, paid silent
homage to this queenly creature. He was lost in admiration. Swallowed up
and absorbed by the first incoming wave of a great love. He was lifted
out of himself, above and beyond all gross things of earth, into a
heaven of pure delight. His better nature was thrilled and profoundly
moved. He felt that in the presence of this pure, angelic woman he
could never again do an unworthy act. A life work, up to the standard of
his highest ideal, was a tribute of devotion he would willingly lay at
her feet.
All too soon for Fillmore Flagg the moments flew by. Almost before he
was aware of it they were ascending the steps of the hotel. Pausing on
the broad veranda for a moment before separating, Fern Fenwick said:
"Gentlemen, Mrs. Bainbridge and myself have planned for a carriage drive
to-morrow to Sam's Point. We have two seats in our conveyance at your
disposal and would be delighted to have you accompany us. May we hope
that you both can come with us?"
Fillmore Flagg and George Gaylord both eagerly accepted the invitation,
the ladies passed on to their rooms, while the young men turned their
steps once more to the rustic bench to enjoy the magnificent sunset view
of the landscape they had so much admired earlier in the day.