The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-03-29
THREE MEETINGS.

-tftH lorraine
---s.A--
THREE MEETINGS.
al suppose am trcspassng," said Frank Rivers,
pauslng moment before plungng rccklessly into
OF prlmroses and wild hyacnihs. "Bnt can't help
It, And II the owner IL, rs believe, father 10 poor
Tremainc whom knew In Italy, he will not grudgc
me one ramble over his beautiful park before go
back TO my old labors in London hospitals. leigh.
hop
beautiful indeed twas. Tall trees rose round him
on every side, clad In all the graceful loneliness Of
late spring. The brilliant sunshine, whose bright
ness and warmth seemed TO tell OF coming summer,
was softcned here to tender nckerlng green radi-
ancc. through which many dazzling beam dartcd
It's shifting glory, and lay like spot OF liquid gold
upon the dark tree trunks. the soft carpet OF turf
and moss, or the still brighter green OF the young
leaves overhead.
drous beauty OF the scene; vet Frank was artist
enough to take n keener pleasure In Natures lowell
ness than IL vouchsafed to most men Of his years.
Suddenly he stopped short with start. What was
II he had SEEM A young girl, reclining In a sort Of
natural loungng. chair formed by the roots Of an old
tree, fast asleep. Her hat was on, her soft brown
hair framed her face, and clustered over the low
wide brow and round one little IN short infantilc
curls. The face was lovely In Its peaceful repose,
tire Individuality, the complexion clear and pale
like that Of tea rose. The slight, well-proporoned
ngurc was dellcately rounded, the small hands,
Drowned little nv exposure to the sun, were ex1u-
sitey formed. Altogether there was something so
winning and attractive In the sleeping figure that
Franks eve and fancy were Mt once capttvated.
or course 1t was an unjustlnable liberty, but ont
came his skech.hook, and he at once hogan making
rapid but truthful little sketch OF the sleeping
maiden.
Probably his frequent and earnest glances had a
disturbing influence upon the unconscious model,
for before the nnshing touches had been put the
eyes opened suddenly and met those OF our artist
bent ntenty upon her.
Dolly Tremalne Frank knew 1t must he, from the
likeness to the brother he once had KNOWN rose
quickly to her feet rosy flush mantling In her pale
check, while the expressive features put on q look
OF severe dignity strangely at variance with the
sweet. open, nower-like face.
think. sir, you cannot be aware that this is pr-
vate property"
Frank took OF his hat His spirits rose to the
casion
have the honor OF addressing Miss Tremaine7"
Dolly bowed, but her face In no way relaxed. 1t
was not wonderful any one meeting her in her
fathers park should guess her name. 1t was taking
an increased liberty, she thought, TO presume to ad
dress her by 1t.
al fear am no better than common trespasser,
and tender You my humble apology. My only
the friend Of your brother"
The girls face changed instantly atender, tremu-
lous way of feeling swept visiby over II. She mnde
n step toward him. Her beautiful dark eyes sought
his face, wstful and sad.
"My hrother9 Did You know Arnold9 Please,
will YOU tell me your manner"
"My name is Rivers"
"Are you the MIR. Rivers who was so good to him
in Venice? oh, am so gidd to he able to thank
"Indeed, Miss Tremane, did very llttle.r
"Arnold told a very different tale. He talked so
much OF you. But for you. he said he would have
died before ever he reached home"
81 was sorry to hear Of his death last autumn
Tears sprang to Dolly's eyes and sparkled on the
long !ashes.
"rhank you. Yes, am sure You would he's lie
never got over that malaria. But please come to
will lunch with us today. will you not?n
81 wish could; bur am obliged TO he in town
this evening. must pursue my way to the station
m for
your Kindness"
81 am so sorry. ! hope we shall see you the next
time You are In this ncghborhood. My brothers
friends are ALWAYS welcome at Tremaine."
She held ont her hand to him; he took IL revercnly
aud by sudden, strange impulse carried it to his
Inns. Then he turned quickly away, lifted his hat
and strobe hastily from the spot.
Dolly stood looking after him with hewildered
look in her eyes and hush on her cheeks. Then
she looked down at the hand he had kissed, and
walked home very though'fully.
$50 that is the heiress Of lremaine,r unused Frank
speak of so lovingly and call to in his derlum. No
wonder. II had sister like that should worship
Frank Rivers, YOU do not go there again. AS sure
AZ you meet her you will fall in love and fool away
your LIES happiness for an idle dream. She is
star out of your sphere. She is an heiress, You
will he for years struggling young DOCTOR by the
time You reach al,uence. II ever that time should
you aspire so high. Therefore keep out of her way
and never see her again. BE content with your
sketch, for it is all you viii! ever have of her. Such
They met again two years later. 1t was In a crowded
ballroom. Frank was what he had prophesied: "A
struggling young doctor" His practice was small.
lie had enough TO live upon In comfort and no more.
But he was popular ne was gentleman, and WAS
asked to many houses, AMI especially to many
dances.
Dolly Trenalne, beauty ana an helress, was the
belle Of the season. He had heard of her, but until
this evening they had not met
81 am so glad you have come, Mr. Rivers" said
very ultimate. "Some OF my best dancing men have
failed; and l must find good partners for Miss
short acquaintance ] cannot set her down to
dance with 'clodhoppers,' as my girls call them.
DO come and let me Introduce you.n
Franks heart beat rather fast. Would she know
him?
She knew him ut a glance. and held ont her hand
with sweet, spontaneous friendlincss, while very
bright smile flashed over her fair face Two years
had developed the lovely girl into lovclcr woman
whose chief charm nevertheless lay in the gracious
contact with the world hail failed as yet to tarnish
While they exchanged greetings anu formalittcs
the music struck up.
"Ths Ia au extra, hear May have the pleasure
of dancing it with you, Miss Tremanc?"
This was like Franks assurance as he had already
written his name twice on her programme, hut Dolly
seemed In no wise afIronted. She smiled assent,
and they sailed away, followed by many admring
glances and murmurs OF "What handsome
"You never came to see IFS, Mr.. Rivers" said
Dolly with an accent Of repoach.
~ have never been in that part of the country
"Do you live in London9"
"And what are you? You don't mind my asking,
mot in the least. am medical man."
Are you? think am rather sorry for that"
81 hardly knows but | don't think like doctors
very much; would rather You had been barrister,
or an artist, or perhaps Clergyman only then sup
pose you would not dance and that would be n PITY
"Are you very fond of dancingG" asked Frank,
"very, when | have good partner she answered
gaily. "Do you know this is my first season IN
town"
ayes. really. am dreadfully old to be Just 'out :
but papa cannot stay in London, and cannot bear
leaving him ali alone. But This year he insisted and
asked some friends to come and keep him company
during my absence. SO here am"
Enjoying Yourself immensely. SUPPOSE
with sparkling eyes. at il just like fairy land.
But suppose In few weeks more ! shall be very
my dear old home. l think like hest just what ]
am doing. and the place where am in"
And the company p asked andaclous Frank.
She looked at him gravey Tor moment, AMI then
broke into a little ripping laugh.
"Do you want me To say like you, Mr.. Rivers?
Wei, / am very pleased indeed TO have met you
again; don't mind telling you that auckland yes
y do like you just now, because you dance beauti-
fully !"
gayest spirits and talked brilliantly yet his thoughts
were far away from the partners he discoursed. Ills
eve IOOWeu one GRACEFUL nkuTe through TIE lIuLch
of the dancehis car strained to catch the tones OF
her low, musical voice. His brain was on fire with
wild dreams and hopes. He counted the moments
I'll he could claim her once more.
That time they strolled out upon the balcony The
moon was shining They were alone. A graver,
tenderer mood was upon Dolly. Her slvery laughter
was sienced now. In low tones that grew little
trenuous, she said:
"Mr. Rivers, want SO much to ask you, will you
tell me about Arn0ld9 There were only the two OF
MS. can't remember my mother We were every
thing to each olher."
~ know that your name was always on his lips y
And them In sublued and reverent tones, he talked
TO her OF him that was dead.
More than one tear gathered on the long lashcs
that yelled Dolly dark eyes the narrative went
on, but when Frank paused to say:
81 fear am distressing you, Miss Tremaine?"
she answered;
mo, no, please go on"
Aud when he had done she turned ana held out
both her hands In n sudden impulse of gratitude
while broken words OF thanks fell from her lips
her quickly In the giddy throng
THIS was not the only time Frank saw Dolly that
bright June. Like moth 1uttering round a candle,
the Young doctor lowered round the fair young girl
whose beauty ana graclousness captiyated him more
aud more. lie was not alone In his admiration.
She was ever surrounded by throng Of devoted
followers, who were ready tn live die for her, and
whom she treated with the most puzzling impair
TALLY and kindness, yet contryed to keep them all
at n rpan n distance