The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-11-24

VIOLA
Thrice Lost IN a Struggle for a Name
BY MRS. r. d. EDISON.

CHAPTER NL-CoNrINUED.
Ralph was an enigma TO himself all
that day. In the first place he was de
cidedly out of temper, and there was no
reasonable excuse for such feeling.
that he would admit. In the second
place he wasn't particularly enthusiastic
over the prospect of going for Blanche.
The people where she was staying were
strangers tried TO persuade himself
that that was the reason: but-there was
the long drive home. The thought o. a
tete-G-tete with his pretty cousin usually
stirred his pulses and set his heart to
quicker time, but to-day it sent never SO
much as the faintest little thrill through
his veins.
Perhaps had better state here, the
exact relation that existed between
Blanche and Ralph: that is. as nearly as
it is possible to describe such relations
in that peculiar unsettled. undeclared
state, when no vows have been spoken.
and only the ewes have dared to hint
what is in the heart.
Ralph was by nature susceptible,
ardent, impulsive. Nearly all his life
he had been almost wholly removed
from feminine society. 1t had the
charm of novelty for him, and when
his cousin Blanche, who understood the
art of fascination by nature, blushed
and dropped her eyes when he looked
at her-those beautiful, changeful.
wonderful eyes, that limited so much
through their silken fringes-a and
when she put her hand. her soft. futter-
ing hand. in his with such shy frank
ness, and called him her dear Ralph"
and when she fiattcred him in little
delicate WAYS, which seemed 10 escape
her tongue and eyes despite her knowl-
edge, is it any. wonder that the I'M
sophisticated young sailor succumbed to
what was very evidently his fate?
He found. too. that it was rather ex-
pected of him to fall in love with his
cousin BY both families, and, indeed. it
did not seem at al hard thing to do
with the encouragement he received.
1t seemed. besides, 10 be foregone con-
c!usion on all sides, and people began to
banter him about being married, some
going so far as TO inquire OF him if The
was going 10 take his wife with him
when he sailed in the spring.
1t half yeXed and half pleased him.
1t sent little. exquisite, delightful
thrill along his nerves to think of
Blanche as his wife-she was beautiful
and bewildering enough to stir less
susceptible heart than his-but he rath-
er wished people would not be in such
haste to talk about it before he had VEN
tured TO do so himself. As far as his
1'courtship' there had been any such
thing-was concerned. it only consisted
so far in certain little indescribable
glances everybody with the
least Imagination CT eXperience-can
fancy for themselves and of little, lin
gerinG, caressing toueheS-and, well.
I'm not quite sure but there might have
been kiss or two in the dark, such
things have happened, even when the
parties weren cousins, Is in the pres
ent instance l hope no person with a
rigid sense of propriety will accuse me
of winking at so heinous an offense, be-
cause i don't do 1t. / have a very real
iZing Sense that il isn't IT all ''proper."
and I'm most sure it's actually wicked;
but, then what can do about it? |
have not the least hope that if should
deYote nv life to the reform of this
enormous evil, that | should succeed in
stamping If out;" people are-well, so
Cerg human
Bnt to return to my subject. Ralph
was in that uncertain period between
the dawn and daylight of love, when
Imagination is most active and eloquent.
But somehow a wet blanket seemed sud-
denly thrown over the rosy flame. And
even when he came into the enchanting
presence, the spell was powerless
Blanche perceived the coolness-or
rather the lack OF warmth, in a moment.
After they had set out on their home
ward journey. she set herself to the
task of discovering the cause of Ralph
very evident abstraction. She came at
1t before they had ridden half mile,
although Ralph had secretly determined
not TO mention the matter to her. He
could not tell afterward. when thinking
it over, how he had come to do so.
Blanche was so shocked to think a
young woman had come near perishing
so nigh them. that her voice faltered
and her eyes filed with tears.
How terrible it would have been if
she had died-the pretty little creature,
she said. in a gu.h of feeling. Life is
just as dear to poor simple little serv-
ant-girl as it Is to you or me. / am 20
glad You found her, dear Ralph the
glistening lashes just lifting, the scarlet
lips parted and tremulouS.
Blanche has got soft, womanly
heart" he thought, with tenderer
feeling toward her than he had felt ali
day.
Il suppose Mr.. Montford will be
willing to give you half his kingdom, he
will feel so grateful toward you" she
said moment after, afaint smile strug-
Cling through the tender sorrow of her
face.
Il do not wish for any part of Mr..
Montford's kingdom be replied,
quickly.
:. Since you are king yourself, and
your kingdom is the sea?' she asked,