The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1880-09-25

tending souls found themselves sud.
denly the objects Of an uudresmt'of
prodigality. Delicate silver paper
parcels. baskets Of exotic flowers.
and ruby velvet cases appeared upon
their breakfast tables With Count
Max Starolyi's coroneted cards and
respectful homagos."
At f1rst people thought they ought
really not to accept. One or two e.
forts were made to express these
doubts to the generous nobleman.
But they evidently caused In him
such q mournful perplexity. they !
were 80 clearly both inexpllcable and
peinful to him, that II was found I'm.
possible to proceed. Public opinion
gradually pronounced itself In favor
Of keeping the presents. "What
would no very odd In an Engllshman
was only natural In a foreigner"
people said. Hungariane, too, were
known to have habits Of the utmost
splendor. The example OF Prince
Esterhazy was quoted BY somebody
who remembered to have seen him.
This settled the matter. COnscien.
ces were thenceforth at peace. and
Starolyi moved In the midst OF adora'
ton and applause.
Meanwhile bis attentions to Dora
Morton, the acknowledged belle OF
Farnleigh, became extremely mark
ed. Amid no little heart burning,
tho conviction gained ground that
this young lady must soon be asked
to adorD tho brilliant society OF
Vienna. She herself Was probably
not much astonlshed at her tmpend-
ing good fortune, but she was ex-
ceedingly gratlfed at 1t. In tho flrss
flush Of a triumph % intoxicating, It
was hardly to be wondered at II she
thought but lightly Of her sunt's OBJ.
jectlone, and troubled herself still
less about the feelings Of Arthur
Lestrsnge.
The young man In question Was
usually considered . very fortunate
person. 1t IL true he had but few
hundred year Of bis own: but. on
! the other hand. he Was the acknowl'
edged heir OF his uncle. Who had
twice AZ many thousands. This I'M
| Gle. Sir Edward Lestrsnge, was the
county magnate. He and Lady Lea.
TRANCE adorned their nephew. and
had Always encouraged him in idle
ness. 90 as to have him 40 much With
them a. possible. Fortunately fo'
himself, Arthur Lestrange had very
good brains: and though he had
chosen no profession. he cultivated
literature for bis own amusement
This kept him employed. and saved
him from utterly wasting bis you'll
while he waited for the rent.roll thai
was one day to be bis. Lately. In
deed, he had shown signs OF wooin(
, the muses. with more seriousness o
purpose than anybody had deemed
likely; and. In q recent dramatic pro
; duction, he had achieved . quit
unusual measure Of success. Imme
diately on this. he had come down Il
Faruleigh, and. for the second tim
within a year, had laid bic name snt
| bis prospects, at Dora Mortou's feet
Not only did she meet with . free'
repulse, but tho general ! voice. Il
!, G ,uplipg Miss Morton's name viii
. that Of the charming Count" cor
vinced him OF the uselessnees OF ful
. Their pursuit.
Three or four days passed. Arthu
;, Lestrsnge had had time. II not to n
cover from, at any rate to succeed !
!. coucealiug, tho first bitterness Of hl
;; disappointment. Mn. Dsmer Va
. still In expectation OF her ansW'
from tho Consul. Dora Vas still hul
cling the thought OF her immlne'
delight In announcing her engag
!. ment to all her friends.
= "You talk Of days, but II appears
y me that I am waiting ages to on
- you-my treasure" murmured Sta
:. olyi to her ono evening when. at
= dance at tho Straceys. tho lovers o
=. apart In tho friendly privacy OF u
!. conservatory.
~ Dear Max" said the girl, arde'
:. II, II also feel that I should belo'
" to you more entirely II I could pl
=, claim to all tho world that l q
:. yours. But my promise to my au
;. binds me to secrecy tor q few d,l
ma more"
!. "Why?" whispered Stsrolyi. d
:, contentedly. He had not . parti'
y. lsrly musical voice. and perhaps
. cause Of this always spoke In . "
!. low tone to women. "Why?"
,, Dora blushed. hesltated. picke
:. flower IN her bouquet to pieces. Z
". anally said frankly: II do not
- Vhy / should not tell you. tor
"t are too kind and too Just to mlsts
w nv auut'o motives"
~ The Hungarian raised his eyebrt
~ at this oxordlum and looked q III