The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-07-23
STELLA'S LOVER.

w dO Is ne! aSkoU OCellas she anO
Felicia Martin were idly looking out
upon the driveway of Mr.. Martin
country-seat through the narrow latticed
windows.
''That is Colonel Audenreid," an
swered Felicia. adjusting her eyeglasses.
Papa is bringing him here to dine.
He is widower: he's lived abroad for
years. Seems to me I've heard that his
course of true love didn't run smooth.
He has the most bewitching melancholy
eyes, and such manner! You can't
help wishing he was in love with you. "
That night, while the girls combed
out their braids and curls, in the low
wainscoted chamber, Felicia suddenly
remarked, 81 believe there will be a
second Mrs. Audenreid.''
Stella gave start, and returned from
an excursion into the past.
"Do you know" continued Felicia,
IS l caught him looking at your reflec-
ton in the mirror, with his heart in his
eyes. l wonder the first Mrs. Auden-
reid didn't turn in her grave.''
ssFelicia. don't! you make me shud-
DER" cried Stella. "Your imagination
is better than your eyesight; you are
always seeing somebody devouring
somebody else with their glances. I'm
sure I thought Colonel Audenreid was
as Indifferent as star in heaven
"Modest creature! He had ears for
nobody but yourself, as well as eyes. 1t
is Kisnaet. Why was not born under
some lucky planet?''
From that date Colonel Audenreid
became frequent guest at Mr.. Martin
suburban retreat. He rode with Stella
and Felicia over the hills; he picnicked
with them at the edge of the pine
woods; he drifted on the lake at sunset
by their side, and filled the boat with
water-lilies and spicy branches of the
wild azalea; he amused them with
glimpses of his Continental life; with
stories of the war, in which he had led
q forlorn hope; of camp and hospital
regimen. Sometimes they took the
train to the city, and laughed together
over some comedy. or hung entranced
upon some famous singers tones; or
they joined a pleasure party to the Isles
of Shoals, or down the harbor returning
in the dewy evening, with the stars
leaning out of heaven, and the whip
poor-will making the night melancholy.
Once they paused at the gate to listen
to his plaintive voice. Felicia had
passed onto the piazza; the pines stood
out tall and dusky against the heavens;
the roses shook out an odorous breath
whenever the wind touched them.
ssYOu should hear the nightingales
fluting about my home in Surrey when
the night falls; it is Ike the refrain OF
some sad poem," said Colonel Auden-
reid.
.You must have been very happy
there in that beautiful country" re-
turned Stella.
Colonel Audcnreid opened the gate
for her to pass on, without replying,
with q distraught air, as if he were al
ready miles away from the subject.
II think he did not like me to speak
of that time," she confessed to Felicia.
Fiddlesticksr' returned that young
person.
.sPerhaps it was too sacred"
"Pshaw! Are you blind, Stella?
None so blind as those who won't see,
I've heard. 1 fastened into the house
ON purpose to give him a chance to
speak to you. 1 saw it in his eyes"
81 never knew such sight as yours,
though I've always understood near
sighted people could see in the dark.
He has nothing special to say to me"
..Then he is the greatest humbug ex.
tant. He leaves us next month. II
he saws nothing before then l snail
never believe in signs and omens
again" ~
:. Nor in your own eyesight? Poor
Felicia, I'm afraid you're doomed to
disappointment"