Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1879-09-04
The. GENTLEMAN on the LEFT.

The gentleman on the left, Kate do
you know him? lie has looked fire.
quently toward you
HAS he p
Who is it?'
Il cannot tell. l have not seen him.
Suppose you look 2
Il prefer not. came to see the play.
Is not Helen Faucit superb 2
so, so. wish you would tell me who
the gentleman on the left is / am sure
he knows you, and be is strikjngiy haud-
some.'
AT 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
Not any; l exhausted it some time
ago.
Her ladyship was not telling the truth
she was intensely curious, but it pleased
her at the time to plque the Honorable
Selma Dorset. That strange sympathy
which makes us instantly conscious OF a
familiar glance, even in crowded build
ing, had solicited her regard just as Sc
lima had advised her of it. If she had
not been asked to look toward her left
she would probably have done 80; as it
was, she resolutely avoided any move
ment in that direction.
The play was flushed in a tumult of
applause. Lady Kate Talbot forgot
everything it, her excitement, and as she
stood up, flushed and trembling, she
inadvertently turned toward the left.
Instantly she recognized presence with
which she ought to have been familiar
enough.
The gentleman bowed with an extreme
respect. Lady Kate acknowledged the
courtesy in manner too full of aston
ishment to be altogether gracious, and
the elaborate politeness of the recogni-
ton was not softened by any glance i'm
plying a 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. 1t did
not seem to be an unpleasant one. --
Kate's face had a bright flush on it, and
her eyes held in them q 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.
Selma, when you have got rid of oil
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 over
her pretty dressing gown, she sought
my lady's room. Lady Talbot sat in a
dream-like stiffness, looking into the
bright blaze on the hearth. She scarcely
stirred as Selma took large chair be-
side her, and scarcely smiled when she
lifted one of her loosened curls and said,
what exquisite hair you have, Kate
True golden.
yes, it is beautiful. I know that, of
course
sOf what are you thinking so intenly2'
of the gentleman on our left to-
night
sAhl Who is he? He seemed to
know you.
He ought to know me much better
than he does. He is my husband, Lord
Richard Talbot
'Kate'
1T is true'
Il 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 p
Il presume in the left wing of thi'
mansion. I notice there are more lights
than usual in it tonight. His apart
ments are there
'Now, Kate, do tell me all, dear. Yol
know love romantic love affair, ant
I am sure this is one.'