Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-04-14

Ransford. young officer of hussars,
to her side. and he soon became en-
shaved in the meshes Of love which she
heartlessly wove around him
One evening when alone with her
in the earis drawing-room he declared
his passion. She permitted him to
toy with her soft. white hand, and as
she glanced into his enraptured face
smile played around her lips. Gerard
imagined the smile TO be an omen Of
success and his delight was I'M
bounded
On the impulse of the moment he
clasped her into his arms and imprint
ed warm kiss upon her lips
He was the first lover who had ever
dared to press his lips to hers. Soon
her cold nature asserted itself. She
extricated herself from his arms and
turned away disdainfully. Gerard
saw the dark frown upon her brow
and trembled, but it was against his
nature to recoil, therefore he deter
mined to learn his fate at once.
Dear Lady Blanche. he pleaded
in tremulOus tones, pray pardon my
impetuosity. Words are powerless to
express how devotedly love you. Do
for pitvs sake hold out one ray of
hope.
She vouchsafed no reply. but turned
from him with scorn ineffable and
slowly left the room without deiguing
TO cast even one look behind.
On the morrow Gerard called again
at the earls house but Lady Blanche
refused 10 receive him. She sent him
no message, not even a word, from
which he, with all lovers fond desire
could manage to extract the smallest
hope. and so. with head bowed low
and an aching heart, Gerard came
away.
At this time Count de Lornais, a
scion of an old and wealthy French
family made his appearance in London
society De Lornais was a handsome
man, with polite and fascinating man
ners. and it was soon whispered that
he. too, was enthralled By the supreme
loneliness Of Lady Blanche.
All through one London season the
count continued staunch in his ale
glance to Lady Blanche, aud then it
began to be rumored that the hand
some and wealthy Frenchman had
beaten all his rivals and won the
greatest beauty Of the day At last.
These rumors reached the ears Of
Gerard Ransford. who drew his own
deductions therefrom.
The Sinking Frenchuan's money
has won her" said Ge-ar}. while
am discarded because Of ms poverty"
From that moment Gerard became
an altered man. His days were now
devoted to the betting ring and his
nights to the card table. Formerly
one Of the most CHEEKY OF companions,
he was now an eager, greedy, grasp
ing gambler. caring for no pastime or
amusement unless it led 70 gain.
which simply means the winning Of
money at all hazards, and the primary
cause OF his great change was the
tickle will Of woman.
Phryne Marland was lady Of volup-
tuous beauty. who posed on horseback
in Hyde park and lounged in private
boxes at the principal theaters. From
whence she came or 20 whom she be-
longed no one appeared 70 know. and
now Gerard Ra1sford might be seen
by the side Of Miss Marland in all
those places of resort where society
loves to congregate.
Meanwhile Count de Lornais was
graciously received BIZ the earl and
countess of Rivenham. and the count
himself imagined that his success wa2
now assured: therefore he importuned
Lady Blanche to name day for their
wedding.
After befooling the count month
after month she one dag abruptly in.
formed him that marriage was the
very last thought in her mind.
Monsieur lie Comte, she said, .'you
surely are not one Of those foolish
moths of society who imagine that
every lady around whom they hutter
IS dying of love for them?"
NO, Lady Blanche replied he,
smiling significantly. II am not a
moth of that kind" He bowed dis
family and retired and Lady Blanche
saw him no more.
The counts vanity was wounded
and his chagrin at this unexpected re
pulse was very great. His belief in
himself with regard to affairs d'amoul
was unbounded, and as he could not
attribute his failure to any fault Of hi,
own he concluded that some more
favored rival must have won the lady.
hand, and as he had heard that the
young English officer, Gerard Rams
ford. had been a sutton for the ladyt
hand he now imagined that Gerarc
was the successful lover. for who's,
sake he himself was rejected. and h,
hated Gerard accordingly
Time passed away, and Lady
Blanche still led cold and un
sympathetic life, and at last dreal
sense of loneliness fell upon her ant
She became spirit haunted. For night
after night by the side Of her snow
white couch a phantom stood. and il
words of sadness discourscd Of love