Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1883-03-27

best please me- DO the proprieties al
ways demand only what is reasonableP
And for ten years have | not been
faithful to folly-to n mistake-to Il
caprice of fateP
s'Ten years ago Twas summoned by
q diving uncle-a childless old man of
many oddities and of much wealth,
that he wished me to share with a
niece of his deceased wife. | was Just
twenty-one; my purposed bride was
not vet sixteen. At the bed of death
was married to this girl, of whom |
knew nothing ut all, and who evidently
detested me, for oul relative was not
cold in his grave before she fled from
rhe-vanished like the phantom of n
dsagreeable dream, or something
equally as unreal. | searched for her
thoroughly and conscientiously but
never found her or any trace of her
whatever. | have long believed that
She is dead-only some strange and
sudden death can explain her singular
disappearance. And now you would
remind me that | am not free to admire
the girl whose pictured face allures me
as the countenance of no woman has
ever done before" he concluded, re-
proachfully.
Your eloquence and your pathetic
defense are irresistible" he said in
pleasant raillery. "You have quite per-
suaded me, and you shall know Dulcie
LIE Barre as soon as YOU choose"
Thanks to you, Alfred" the young
er man returned with animation.
mot So" laughed his friend. Il
predict you will come to me for COM
miseration yet. The dusky gray eyes
of yonder enchantress in amber dra-
peries and bangles of silver and pearl,
allure you only to humiliate you, Vic
tor"
And as the days and weeks rolled by
it would seem that the artist had pre-
dicted correctly.
From the first The girls protectress
had been extremely gracious toward
Victor Clarence. But the manner of
Dulcie was enigmatical.
"One could imagine that you were
coquetting with Mr.. Clarence the ell
der lady once remarked, rather rebuk-
ingly ''He is handsome and worthy,
and my dear Dulcie, it would all end so
nicely if you"
oh, hush," interrupted the girl,
blushing sweetly.
"You cannot deny that be has be-
haved most honorable" the other pur-
sued with much earnestness. "He told
me his romantic little story with the
utmost frankness, and he discussed the
whole matter with me as gravely and
fairly rs if | were your mother And
he loves you, dear, with a deep atfec-
ton and passionate tenderness"
Would you regret SO little if /
should leave you?" Dulcie queried
evasively.
''Such n suspicion would be unkind, :"
was the gentle response.
"And | am very happy just as | am, "
said the girl Yet in those dusky eyes
of wondrous gray was new light
a soft, sweet splendor that never shone
has not thrilled with the inetfable Joy
of perfect love!
To the quaint, elegant house that
same evening came Victor Clarence
man with noble presence, with a
beautiful Homeric head and faultless
blonde face, with dreamy blue eyes,
and with hair and beard of darkest
golden brOwn-a handsome man. and
one to be honored by the fairest and
best among women.
The paror he entered was a delight
full place-an apartment where were
books, and music and flowers, and
where Dulcie's protectress spent her
peaceful days.
She was sitting just now in an easy
chair beside the CRATE; a unique pea
cock screen was between her and the
ardent warmth of the fire; her tiny
feet slippered in black velvet. buckled