The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-02-20

undoubted social position. And
when Mrs. Pope cried out for "in-
tellieence that would satisfy her
heart about her darling child" he
replied that "Davidge was very
quiet, gentle sort of fellow, and there
could be no doubt he had won
Lesley's first love" Neither Mr..
Pope nor his wife knew of the Lip
pard affair.
Mr.. and Mrs. Davidge began their
married life in a fashionable quarter
of Philadelphia. Allan Davidge
had furnished it in reference to but
one idea-his wife. He turned his
back on upholsterers and scoffed at
the latest esthetic styles. Would
you consult fashion when you build
a cage Tor a bird of paradise? His
wife was a bird of Paradise in bis
eyes. Nature had made her in the
same dainty whim which had made
her send The south wind into the
world, or the starry flakes of snow
or the white jessamine flower. She
should have home fit for her deli
cacy and innocence. He chose the
palest tints, the clearest crystal, the
severest, simplest " outlines ,; moth
! ing was chaste or clean enough to
suit her purity and tenderness. He
was the owne: of AIRY Schaffer S
Francesca de Rimini;" but before
/ he brought Lesley home he took
down the picture and gave it to his
sister. He would not vex the white
soul of his young wife by a hint of
illicit love, even in the picture Of its
eternal punishment.
" 1t won't hurt me ~ said Mrs.
Jordan, looking at 1t on her library
wall. a tear stole down her hon
est, matronly cheek Of pity for the
two poor lovers driven through
space. =" | hope that girl may be as
Allan thinks her; but | don't have
a particle of confidence in his iudg
ment. He is so full OF chivalry and
honor and fantastic refinement that
he sees every woman III halo made
by his own eyes.
Mrs. Jordan was very told OF her
brother, and waited with last
beating heart for her first sight of
his wife.
1T will kill Al if he has been
fooled III this woman" she told her
self again and again. But she went
home to her husband after their ar
rival, quite content. She is too
icy and spiritual for my TASTE" she
said. " shonld prefer something
coarser and more human. But Al
will be happy. He has found his
lily. She looks ike one of those
bloodless angels that hover around
Corregio's " Virgin. Aud that bou-
DOR with its pale blue hangings
and winGow opening to the sunset,
was 4 fit frame for her. The whole
thing was perfect
If it all had been less complete,
Lesley would probably have been
better content. There was not
change which she could suggest in
the house. Nothing could be more
than the handsome, quiet,
perfectly dressed man who sat op-
pesite To her ct the dainty table.
What was there that he did not
know? ? What could be more satisfy
ing or limitless than his love for
herr Every hour of the day was
laid out for her by him in a calm
procession Of delights. Now they
drove, now they practiced their mu-
sic, now they received their friends;
an hour for German. all hour for
"If there was a bare room in the
garret left for me 10 furnish, If I
could tear my stocking in pieces to
darn it 5ogether again I" groaned
Lesley. when she was left alone. If
be had a single vice which she could
quarrel with. He began to seem to
her wearisome perfect. The excess
Of her happiness made her yawn.
His very courtship had been tran
gully carried on in the drawing
room. seated on a sofa. in the gas
light She remembered when an
other man had asked her to marry
him, by a rushing river, in the
as they stoed alone.
Leslie sta ted guiltily as the old
thought flashed up before her.
They were at breakfast at the
time. Shc looked over the coffe urn
at Allan woo was daintily pairing a
peach, at his careful dress, the shape
~ hands, the clear blue eyes and
sensitive smile. She remembered
swarthy, irregular. brigandish face
under a wide son brero, red neck
srchiet knotted below.
But her husband was speaking
You remember Ihirlsby, who
lined with Us on Menday, Lesley ?
He has just lost every dollar he was
worth IN some mining speculation.
| am glad that my money is so Sc
eurelv invested L. would he almost
impossible that | shpuld become
poor man. never thought about
/ before. But | am glad to know
hat | stand on such a solid founda-
ion now with d radiant glance at
ler.
Really the man looked as if he
might be standing on solid pedes-
al ofsllver.
He was a bold adventurer; be
ook fortune by the throat. She had
cad OF women who had lived vaga-
oondish lives with men they shaved
or and worshipped, rich to-day,
poor tomorrow. All, poor fellow !
Her sigh startled herself and sent
he blood rushing shamed, remorse-
'ul over her neck and face.
She jumped up, went to her hus-
oand and leaning on his shoulder
begun to question him about their
plans for the day, with an eagerness
hat hewildered him with delight.
His wife hitherto had been a little
Indifferent, as became a snow i'm
age.
TIVE years of their married life had
passed. The younger people who
the house still called the
curie usly IAN idle match" "
Mrs. Davidge was fair example of
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