People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1895-01-03

dark hair, the same beautiful mouth
with its fine bold curves. the same
broad shoulders and noble figure; but
he, the real man, looked older than
the picture.
Let me confess it; my heart went
down before him. He had not
been talking to me ten minutes before
thought TO myself that there was no
man like him, and that | would rather
have even his most distant acquaint-
anceship than the love of any other.
1t was not that | was very romantic or
easily won. but it seemed to me that |
had known him long. 1t was my pic
ture-lover come to life. and if it had
not been for that picture, for my love
and admiration Of it, all would have
been different; but | had dreamed of
that face for long weeks, just as | had
repeated the name.
No foolish idea came to me. True,
TO my thinking, he was great hero. a
great prince, as far above me as the
stars are above the earth. | did not
think to myself that | would try to
charm him. No false notions entered
my mind, but ! confess humbly my
heart went out to him. 1t seemed as
though my life suddenly grew COM
plete; a vague, delicious happiness
took possession Of me. None of this
was shown in my manner. Lionel
Fleming walked by my side and talked
to me. seemed to have gone away
into fairy-land. | had forgotten the
sunset and the river, Lady Latimer
and the colonel. | had forgotten
everything in the wide world except
Lionel Fleming. | did not even
know what he was saying, and | an
swered him at random yes or mo"
The first thing that aroused me was
the sound of laugh-a clear, beauti-
full, silvery laugh, with ring of true
enjoyment in it. such as had never
heard from the lips of Lady Latimer
before. turned to look at her; she
was talking to Colonel North, and
there was a brightness in her face new
to me. Colonel North was a very
handsome man; not like Lionel Flem-
ing-nO one could be like him. He
was a fine, tall, sOldierly man. with an
erect, almost naughty bearing. He
looked like what he was. soldier and
a gentleman. He had fine dark eyes
and dark brown hair; his features
were handsome and distinguished; he
had the air of one born to command.
| noticed especially the strange white
ness of his hands. ! liked him-no
one could help it; he was always pleas
ant and kind to me. We walked
slowly back to the house. | have
never seen the sun set over the river
without recalling every detail of that
evening. We all four went into Lady
Latimer's boudoir for few minutes,
where we took some tea-dinner was
at eight-and still the strange feeling
of something unreal was over me.
We had a delightful half hour, then
Lionel Fleming went in search of Lord
Latimer, Colonel North to his room,
and Lady Latimer and myself went to
her room.
1.-The dressing-bell has Just rung,"
she said. "Oh, Audrey. stay Just five
minutes and tell me what dress to
wear"
And that was the first time since
had known her that Lady Latimer
ever mentioned dress to me. looked
at her in wonder.
Il want to look nice tonight" she
said. You see, we have large din
ner party"
On the previous evening the dinner
party had been even larger, and she
had been perfectly Indifferent over her
dress, wearing exactly what her maid
had prepared for her without COM
ment.
thought this interest in her toilet
was an excellent sign, and in my wise
fashion tried to encourage it.
Il like you best in blue" said; lit
suits your fair. rOse-leaf complexion
and golden hair; and of all textures,
prefer velvet. 1t takes such beautiful
lights and shades; then pearls 90 best
with blue velvet"
Thank YOU" she said, cheerfully.
| was delighted when | saw how
bright and interested she was. Al
dinner there was quite a change in
her. All her WEAKNESS and fatigue
had disappeared; her eyes were bright
as stars. She was radiantly lovely,
her voice had another ring, her laugh
was music. 1t was the happiest din
ner party we had had at LOTIONS Cray.
Colonel North was one of the best
takers ! had ever heard; graphic,
terse, entertaining, he completely en-
chained us. He had read much; his
thoughts and ideas were so vigorous
so noble. | saw Lady Lat
liners eyes fixed on him
and when he had finished speaking
she drew a deep breath like one re
leased from spell. The gentlemen
were not long before they followed us
As rule, Lady Latimer did not exer
herself much to entertain her guests
but tonight she was all fire and ami
nation; she talked and laughed; sh,
abandoned her accustomed place by
the window and came to the piano
/ 1t turned out that Colonel North had