Daily Republican., 1885-05-02

by CATHERINE T.. LEsHER.

A glorious summer sunset, with a
fresh evening breeze waiting from the
west, where the sun was setting behind
the hills and flooding earth with Grim
son glory-a radiant sunset, which Iris
Chaloner, with those wondrous bronz e
brown eyes of hers, was watching 80
intently-eyes that just now we're full
of almost stern determination as she
stood on the vine wreathed veranda of
her pretty cottage home, paying no
heed to Blanche Griffith 3 merry ripping
laugh-handsome, dark-eyed Blanche,
her cheeks glowing wildly a. the sunset
shot ath wart her handsome Andalusian
face.
You are the most incom prehsib le
creature l ever met, Iris," she said, in
a melodious voice. " Actually decid-
ing TO 90 out into the wide world to
seek your fortune! l think It is such
q ridiculous ideal Dear me! you always
were, and always will be, . puzzle
to me"
A warm flush of offended dignity
sprung into Iris cheeks, her blue eyes
flashed for moment like swords in
the sunlight, rs she looked at her
beautiful companion.
~ ~ NV Anii W j uhkO hlC o. bfhib OIL
ly, Blanche" she said. ITO be candid
with you, feel cannot be a burden to
| my poor father another day that, I'M
less come one provides him with money,
he must forego the comforts he has
| always been accustomed 10. think 1t
is my duty, as we'll as fortunate privi-
lege, to do that, and no have accepted
| the position OF Roverness to General
Lambert's two little daughters. And
please don't blame my father for this
act Of mine" as she saw Blanche's
half frown of bewilderment and vexa.
ton, "or 1 shall surely get provoked
with you-you who have always been
30 k ind to father and me. Remember
your mothers kindness and yours when
my father was stricken down with tina,
terrible fever shall never be forgotten
by us, and perhaps some day we can re-
pay you"
Blanche replied, plucking purple
passion flower from the vine beside her
And now, Iris. II l were sure you
really wouldn't laugh at me, I'd tell
| you about my own romantic secret. II
| sounds for all the world like novel.
have lover !'-claspipg her hands
| ecstatically, her voice full of exquisite
tenderness. Mother and l are the
| only ones who know he IL really here
| He Is sailing under the name of Clifford
Chanson, and 1t was by the merest
chance l discovered him in his true
colors. He accidentally left his gold
headed cane at our house, and saw tht
coat-of-arms engraved upon 1t, alon6
| with the initials l. X. L."
Iris looked at her companion in sur
prise
81 hardly understand. l.. X. Ii
Not Lawrence X. Lambert, the Gene
RAILS eldest son and heir? l know h
has not been at Lambert Manor fo
nearly six years, and"
She hesitated, while look of triumph
swept over Blanche's handsome face.
"How we'll you have guessed 1t. Yot
roe, Iris, he simply wanted to know
how affairs were p progressing at tt,
Lam bert Manor, 80 he came in that ro
mantle disguise And now that you ar,
really going there and will See hin
often ! hope you will not rob me o
| him."
There was strange ring in her voic
as she uttered her last half jesting, half
earnest remark.
Blanche" she said. Take my advic
and do not accept such odd attention
~ Clifford Chanson IL paying you, ant
-"
A fierce, angry light flashed from
Branches dark eyes.
You have no right to talk like tina
about my own true lover, Iris Chalo
ner. really believe you are jealous al
ready"
She saw Iris fair face flush indignant
ly for moment-poor, brave little Iris
who iiently sauntered back into tn
house, leaving Blanche alone upon TIL
veranda, her hand clinched, her blacl
eyes flashing angrily.
"You shall repent those in5;n ia
ting words to me, Iris Ch4loner," 81,
cried. When l am once the mistree
OF Lambert Manor III recall this opeI
warfare between us, and then Oh, wha
a triumph il will be for me when yol
must admit that have won tn
victory -
1t was the soft fragrant twilight of
Septe:n Der eve, with u faint breath o
autumn in the wind. that came sighin,
irem the west, whispering among tn,
tree tops, and stirring the bright leave
OF the Virginia creeper, that tp'iDet
about the sitting room window wher,
Blanche Griffith stood, with flushed
checks and downcast eyes, before tn
tall, handsomed- faced man, whose low
impassionei words thrilled her to tn
v"ry heart not with their earDes
affection 1T WAS true, bu' with tn,
bright realization Of the future hey in
spired.
What triumph it would be Tor hel
to become the mistress Of LAmber
Manor, and TO taunt Iris Chaloner will
the news of her brilliant success Iris
who had dared to warn her against thi
mans love-this handsome, bold lover
VINO that very moment had laid all hi
wealth at her feet.
With wild, triumphant delight, sh
and kissed her fiuttering lips.
But if you would only not persist Il
sailing under false colors-in keepin
up this farce. Mother and know 20
are not Clifford Chanson, and Why nc
allow me To surprise the world wi b tn
news that / have prom ICED To becom
lawr nee mbert's wife %
He smiled strangely at her pleadin
words.
" a fter you have bo,ome my wifi
/ you can hear of our romantic SO RE-
Let us be quietly married to IN ,rr v
Blanche Shall 1t BE- no, dar' na ?"
She seemed % reel unl,r the sud ia
/ oh ok of joy Tomorrow. He read
$ her face how gladly rhe gave her cor
I sent.
And AN hour later she stood In til
park of he Lambert estate, her dar
eyes shining with pride and delight