The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-11-02
on THE RIVER.

on THE RIVER.
$50 Vane is at his old tricks againp
If were that girls father. or brother,
should be inclined to express my opin-
ion of his tactics pretty stronglyl
is that Miss Elliott? have noticed
him by her side more than half the
evening-but. if may Judge from the
lady's expression, his attentions are not
otherwise than acceptable"
"Splendidly handsome girl, isn't
she? Alice Hargreaves, the new beauty,
is not patch upon her. in my opin-
ion."
Handsome enough for those who
admire that style-great Eastern eyes
and Juno-like figure. For my own
part prefer something softer and more
feminine.
D $50 apparently did Vanc yesterday
morning. He was sitting in the park.
under Mrs. Fairfax's parasol, for over
an hour and half. How proud girl
like Blanche Elliot can stand such open
rivalry passes my comprehension"
''Mrs. Fairfax? The widow of Jack
Fairfax, of the Artillery"
"Even so-Nina Forester, that was.
You must remember her, Grahame-a
pretty little fair-haired thing, who looks
as if puff of wind would blow her
away. She is awfully well off-Jack
took care of that, poor old chap! And
really she looks hardly more than a
child still, though she has little girl,
as pretty as herself, over five years
"And she is flirting with young Vane,
you say?"
ssFlirtingl She's the yeriest little flirt
in England. Her villa at Twickenham
is paradise for that kind of amuse-
ment Sloping lawn down to the river
boat always ready-strawberries and
cream-and pretty little hostess so
breath of fresh air on hot afternoon.
She has been up in town this week, stay
ing with her brother, but was to 60 home
yesterday"
During this last speech Colonel Ora
hame's attention has been chiefly be-
slowed upon Miss Elliot and the coun-
tenance of the man who is so assiduously
bending over her.
1t is very good-looking face-a face
which one of Sir Reginald Vane's dog
loving friends has sometimes likened to
a Gordon setter, with dark, lustrous
eyes and delicate profiIe-and if there
are weak lines marring the mouth and
chin they are concealed by the black
silky mustache which cover both. He
is popular man, especially with the
women, who easily learn to call him
Reggie and smile over the rather
free-and-easy compliments, which have
a charm of their own when uttered in
that low, musical murmur. In fact. a
drawing room pet of the nineteenth CEN
tury, such as one meets with here and
there in the course of every season.
OF a very different type is Leslie
Grahame, the man who, standing in the
doorway, has been listening to the care
less remarks of a gossiping acquaint-
ance. Of Scottish descent and with the
rugged cast of features common to that
nation, he might, except for his COM
handing height, pass unnoticed in the
crowd assembled at Lady Hethering-
tons At Home. But probably, on an
Aldershot field-day, a spectator would
pick out the cavalry officer who sits his
horse so gallantly (though three fingers
of his bridle-hand are gone. and he is
fam to wind the chargers reins round
his wrist) as an object of curiosity.
For do not other medals, besides
those so lately won in Egypt, decorate
his breast, and is there not some tale of
heroism and danger, almost unparallel-
ed in modern annals, connected with
the cross earned at Ulundi?'
Blanche Elliot, keen-witted in read
ing countenances. has singled him out
this evening, and appeals to Vane with a
half-conscious laugh.
'.Pray who is that stern looking man
leaning against the door? He appears
to take an interest in me-this is the
second time l have caught him gazing
this way"
ais that so remarkable? l should
have thought the occurrence too fire.
quent and natural to attract your atten-
tion-although it is rather wonderful
for Colonel Grahame to condescend to
notice any one. His head is usually in
the clouds"
'.He looks out of place here, and feels
it. See, he is 'sloping off, as you say.
Grahame-I remember the name-a V.
c., is he not?'
..Just SO. A great hero in his way,
but not very amusing companion in
ordinary life / only know him by
sight however But tell me once more;
when and where am to see you again?'
Miss Elliott is playing with her fan,
and contrives with it to hide the color
that for moment oyerspreads her face
ct this question.
AS she remains silent. he repeats it
more eagerly.
You know my hours-I always ride
In the evening during this hot weather
six to eight. i shall probably do SO
tomorrow"
Tomorrow" Vane's handsome face
betrays evident disturbance. 81 am
afraid shall be out of town. Very
proyoking-an old engagement with q
relation"
"why stoop to prevarication, Sir