The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-03-20
AFTER ALL.

"By The way. old fellow, have you met
the new beauty, Miss Lansin gY' asks Roy
Gilbert of his friend, Harold Denmark.
NO" answered Harold, lazily puffins
away at his cigar, and sending great rings
of smoke into the air. 81 have never seen
her. Have heard, though, of the sensation
she created, and the many conduests she
made last season. They say she Is beauti-
full, attractive, and quite the fashion, but
consummate fiirt. | detest a flirtI IL I
were egotistical enough to suppose that l
were sufficiently charming to ensnare the
affections of Miss Lansing, l should prob
ably show her that two can play at that
game. 1t would furnish amusement for
me, at any rate, during my stay here"
But you might not prove adamant
yourself, and be unable to withstand the
many charms Of the lady in question.
Whist then?"
"Never fear, nv dear fellow: have NE.
too many beautiful women in nv time to
succGmb easily now"
Meanwhile, Nora Lansing, from her seat
beside the psTlor window, has distinctly
heard every word passed between the two
friends in regard TO herself
Having come down, novel in hand, to
while away the hour until bathing time. she
had taken a seat there, not needing the
murmur of their voices until the sound of
her own pane fell upon her ear, and then.
impelled by an irresistible impulse, she has
listened to 1t all.
Wv. as sue sees Harold Denmark tise
and saunter away, after expressing his in
tentions in so plain q manner. she
clenehes her small fist and an angry light
leaps into her eyes.
IL detest himl How dare he speak so
of mef' she says, passiOnately, stamping
her tiny foot upon the floor. 81 am not a
flirt, but suppose can be one if choose,
and-ah, WE'LL only wait, sirP'
Miss Lansing, allow me to present my
friend, Mr. Denmark" said Roy Gilbert
that evening. After having given the in
PRODUCTION he moved away, leaving his
companion in possession of the field.
After the first quiet dropping of the eyes
and the bright flush has died out of her
check at thus standing face to face with
her acknowledged foe, Nora Lansing re-
covers herself, and laughs and talks so
pleasantly that Harold begins doubling
whether he ought to have judged her so
harsbly,
He claims more than one waltz that
evening, and as be clasps her supple waist
and they glide down the long ballroom in
such perfect harmony, he confesses to him
self that he never enjoyed a dance so much,
nor had so charming partner.
But at last he had to relinquish her in
favor of another, and with regretful sigh
he wanders away to the conservatory. and
there among the shrubbery and flowers,
falls into deep study.
This is truely q nice beginning after
nv words of Yesterday" he said to him.
self. But she is a most bewitching crea.
ture. and lovely enough to win any man s
heart"
Lansing, one evening several weeks
later, attired in charming costume of
cool muslin and lace, wends her way slow
ly down the beach, the object of many adj
miring eyes Out of the reach of the
crowd she turns her footsteps in the direc,
ton of favorite seat of hers far out on q
projecting rock over the sea, and settling
herself on a pile of sea-weed, opened her
book preparatory TO having quiet time
all by herself
Pushing her broad brimmed hat far
back upon her head, she reads on and on.
nor notes the flight of time until the sound
of water tapping against the rock attracts
her attention, and, looking around, she
discovers that she is lingering long beyond
her usual time, and that the tide is already
coming in, completely cutting off her es-
cape by surrounding the rock upon which
she sits
As she realizes this a shrek of horror
bursts from her lips, and she springs to
the highest point of the rock; but she
knows that even that will be entirely
covered with water, and she must inevita-
bly, be drowned.
But no; assistance is near at hand for her
scream is heard by Harold Denmark, now
lettering on the beach, and, springing into
a boat. he Immediately sets out in the direc-
ton of the forlorn little figure that stands
with Clasped hands and frightened face
upon the remaining speck Of terra frma.
As he lifts her into the boat confused
expression comes into her face
How can / find words with which 80 ex-
press my gratitude to you for saving my
lifer' she hastily exclaims.
BY not troubling yourself to find them
at all, for l assure you am glad to have
rendered you a service" Then, looking
steadily into the sweet face he says
slowly: You are the one woman in all
the world to me. love you, Nora; will
you be my wifeY'
For answer she only lifts her trusting
brown eyes to his face. Therein he reads
his fate and is satisfied.