Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-10-14
The Gentleman on the Left.

"The gentleman on the left, Kate-dt
you know him? He has looked fre
quently toward you"
HAS he?'
"Who ia it2n
"I cannot tell. l have not seen him, '
"Suppose you look ?"
II prefer not. I came to see the play
Is not Helen Faucit superb ?"
$50, so. I wish you would tell me
who the gentleman on the left is. I an
sure he knows you, and he is strikingly
handsome"
cat present the stage interests me-
Besides, if men are rude enough to stare
at strangers, there is no occasion for us
to initiate them"
"Your Ladyship has no curiosity"
mot any; exhausted it come time
ago."
Her ladyship was not telling the truth
she was intensely curious, but it pleased
her at the time to pique the Honorable
Selma Dorest That strange sympathy
which makes us instantly conscious Of
familiar glance, even in q crowded
building, had solicited her regard just as
Selma had advised her of it. If she had
not been asked to look toward her left,
she would probably have done SO; as il
was, she resolutely avoided any move.
ment in that direction.
The play was finished in tumult o1
applause. Lady Kate Talbot forgot ev-
erything in her excitement, and as she
stood up, flushed and trembling, she in.
advertently turned toward the left. In.
stantly she recognized presence with
which she ought to have been familiar
enough.
The gentleman bowed with an ex-
treme respect. Lady Kate acknowledg.
ed the courtesy in a manner too full of
astonishment to be altogether gracious
and the elaborate politeness of the recog-
milton was not s0ftened by any glance
implying q more tender intimacy than
that of mere acquaintance.
My lady was silent all the way home
and for some reason Selma was not dis
posed to interrupt her reverie. It did
not seem to be an unpleasant one. Kate's
face had a bright flush on it. and hel
eyes held in them a new light-a light
that resembled what Selma would have
called hope and love, if my lady had not
been already married, and her destiny
apparently settled.
"Selina, when you have got rid of all
that satin and lace come to my room
have something to say to you."
She was speedily unrobed, and with
her long black hair hanging loosely ovel
pretty dressing gown, she sought my
baby's room. Lady Talbot sat in s
dream-like stiffness, looking into the
bright blaze on the hearth. She scarce
ly stirred as Selma took large chair be-
side her, and scarcely smiled when she
lifted one of her loosened ourls and said
"What exquisite hair you have, Kate
True golden"
YES, it is beautiful. I know that o
"Of what are you thinking SO intent
ly?" "Of the gentleman on our left to-
night"
"Ah! Who is he? He seemed to know
you.
"He ought to know me much bette
than he does. He is my husband, Lore
Richard Talbot"
"Kate !"
"It is true"
II thought he was in Africa, or Asia
or Europe, or somewhere at the end o
the world"
HE is now in England, it seems.
suppose he has just arrived. I have no
seen him BEFORE"
"Where is he staying, then?"
II presume in the left wing of thl
mansion. notice there are more light
than usual in it tonight. His apart
ments are there"
"Now, Kate, do tell me all, dear. fol
know I love romantic love affair, anC
am sure this is one,"
"You were never more mistaken, Sc
lima. There Is no love at all in the al
fair. That is the secret of the who'll
position. thought, as you were stay
ing here this week, and might see o
meet my lord. it was better to make a.
clear to you. People are so apt to as
sociate wrong with things they do no
understand"
ITO be sure, dear. suppose Lor'
Richard and you have had little dis
agreement. Now, If could do any