The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-12-05

that the unknown was only lodging at
the house.
The servant replied in the affirma-
tive, and upon my expressing wish TO
see the vacant rooms was shown q
dining-room and bedroom on the
ground floor.
Had these rooms been dungeons in
stead of airy cheerful apartments--had
they been empty and bare instead of
comfortably furnished had the rent
been fifty pounds week instead of the
moderate sum asked, should have en-
gagged them. l was very easy to deal
with. The landlaGy was summoned
and the bargain struck ut once. Ii that
good person had known the state of my
mind she might have reaped a golden
harvest from her ground floor apart
ments. AS it was, the only thing she
was exacting in was in the matter of
references. named several, then I
paid month rent in advance, and re-
ceived her permission. as had Just re-
turned to England and wanted home
at once, to enter into possession that
very evening.
by the BY" 1 said carelessly, as I
left the house to get my luggage, II
forgot to ask if you have other dodgers
no children, hope?'
''No, s;r-only lady and her SER
want They are on the first foor-very
quiet people,"
..Thank you," 1 said. II dare say I
shall be very comfortable. You may
expect me about seven clock"
had re-engaged my old rooms in
Walpole street before the meeting with
my unknown had changed my plans. I
went back there. and after packing up
all wanted, informed the people of the
house that l was going to stay at a
friends for few weeks. The rooms
were to be kept for me all the same.
At seven o'clock was at Mazda vale
and duly installed.
1t was the hand of fate had wrought
this-who could doubt it ? This morn
ing l was almost on my way to Turin
IN search of my love. This evening /
am beneath the same roof. AS l sit
here in my armchair and see all kinds
of beautiful visions wreathed in the
smoke curling from my cigar, l can
scarcely believe that she is within few
L
row-the next day-forever and ever
Yes. am hopelessly in love-I go to
bed thinking shall dream of her; but,
probably owing to the strange quarters.
my dreams are far less pleasant All
night long 1 dream of the blind man
who walked into a strange house and
heard such fearful sounds!
I'M prpr w
NOT FOR LOVE OR MARRIAGE.
A week has passed by. am moro
in love than ever. / am now satisfied
as to the thoroughness of my passion;
certain that this thorough love of mine
will endure as long as my life; that it is
no transient flush to fade away with
time or absence. Whether my suit be
! successful or not this woman will be my
first and last love.
AS yet have made little progress in
the furthering of my desire. l see her
erery day, because watch for her COM
ing and going; and every time l see her
l find fresh charms in her face and
graces in her figure. Yet Kenyon was
right. Hers is peculiar style of beau
ty. That pale, pure face. those dark,
dreamy, far-away eyes. are out OF the
common run of womanhood. 1t may
be this accounts for the strange fascina-
ton she has for me. Her carriage is
upright and graceful; she walks always
at the same pace; her face is always
grave, and it seems to me she seldom
speaks to that old companion or serv-
ant who never quits her side. am be-
ginning to look upon her as riddle, and
wonder if the key will ever be mine.
Ihave found out some few things about
her. Her name is Paulne-a sweet
aud suitable name-Pauline March.
She is therefore English, although l
sometimes hear her saying few words
in Italian to old Teresa, her servant.
She seems to know no one, and. SO far
as I can learn, no one knows more about
her than | do, at least, know she
came from Turin, and that is more
than my informants were aware OF.
l still occupy my rooms. waiting my
chance. 1t is tantahzing to live in the
same house with the one you love end
find no opportunity of even commenc-
ing the siege. That old Teresa guards
her charge like thoroughbred Span
ish duenna. Her dark eyes glance
quickly and suspiciously at me when
ever l meet the two women, and bid
them the good-morning or good-even-
ing which fellow-lodger may venture
upon. As yet have got no further
than these cold civilities. Pauline g eyes
and manner give me no encourage
ment. She acknowledges my saluta-
ton gravely, distantly and alphabetically.
1t is clear TO me that love at first sight
is not bound to be reciprocal COM
fort myself by thinking that Fate must
have something in store for me, or
Pauline and l would never have been
brought face to face again.
So all l can do is to lurk behind the
thick red curtains of my window and
watch nv love, guarded by that old cat
Teresa, go out and come in. l am
obliged now to exercise due caution in
this proceeding, as the duenna once
caught sight of me, and now each time
they pass / see her fierce eye peering
into my hiding place. l am beginning
to hate Teresa
Yet if l have done little, I am in the
same house, breathing the same air rs
Pauline, and l am patient man and
can wait for my opportunity. 1t will
be sure TO come at last.
This is how it came. One evening !
heard fall, clatter of china and q cry
of distress. l ran out of my room and
found Teresa lying on the stairs amid
the ruins of the landlady's best tea set,
and groauing earnestly. My chance
had come!
With the shameless hypocrisy of love,
I ran to her aid, as eager to help her as