The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-06-20

fact which was robbed Of any Of the un-
pleasantness II might have had by the
timely inheritance from a great-aunt by
Miss Travers of a fortune which convert
ed her into an "heiress."
As she had intimated to her sister Miss
Travers had had no small experience in
the matter of refusing suitors-she had
had more offers than she could count.
But the one man in all the world, the
man whom she had once sent away, was
also the one man who never came back
Several times this season they had met;
people talked a little about Lovett's pic
ture in the Salon, and were glad that at
last he had exhibited in the academy.
He was a lion In a small way, and nat
turally Miss Travers had met him more
than once. Would he be there tonight?'
She was asking herself that for the hun
dredth time, when at last it was their
turn to alight.
Lady Clevers had the reputation of be-
ing one of the best hostesses in London.
her rooms were never unpleasantly
crowded. and one was sure of always
meeting the right people. Dancing was in
full swing when Mrs. Oliphant and her
sister entered the ball room, but in less
than five minutes Muriel's card was as
full as she would allow it to be-
why have you kept so many dances
free?" whispered her sister, glancing over
her shoulder.
"Oh, it's well to be provided for emer-
EentleS. leDHeu MuIlel, lduBulHBt anu
then suddenly a strange look fitted
across her face as the little group around
the door parted to give passage to tall,
fair man.
There is Noel Lovett," remarked Mrs.
Olphant. Hes improved wonderfully as
he's grown older don't you Think?
Miss Travers did not answer; a partner
claimed her, and she was whirled away,
and again and again. 1t really did not
seem that she had arranged her diplo-
matte emergency" blanks with much
| success
At last, however, she found herself seat
ed in a recess, artfully contrived, half in
balcony, half in dancing room, and she
sat dreamily watching the pretty piano.
rama before her, when suddenly Noel
Lovett strayed toward her.
"Ah, Miss Travers, l have been talking
to your sister, but l couldn't see you any
wehere. How is it that you are not dane
| ing?"
She looked up at him, and instantly that
scene in the Devonshire garden, with that
same man bending toward her. world
| of love in his eyes, rose before her.
Because II She stopped abruptly,
slight tinge of color in her cheeks. viii
you dance this waltz with me? It's leap
year, you know" she added, laughing.
I'm within my rights in making the re-
quest"
Il shall be delightedw he answered
quickly, bending to offer her his arm. His
voice was perfectly calm, the tone abso-
lutely polite. Muriel bit her lips. Was IL
| possible that the past for him was so ut
terly dead? Was it only she who had re-
membered and regretted, and longed TO
| retrace all these years?
They waltzed in silence for few turns;
| then Muriel stopped.
81 am tired" she said, abruptly. "Will
you take me to the fernery? This way
through the conservatory"
She sank down in a low chair In the
discreetly lighted retreat.
Il don't believe anyone really cares Tor
dancing after the first season. she ex-
claimed, laughing. do you?"
you certainly made a good score with
it in yours he replied, lightly.
MY first season. How / enjoyed IT. L
was older than most girls who come out
though, and-and not the same as they
are in other ways" She glanced at him.
but there was no sign on his face to
show her he understood her reference to
their old engagement. Somehow his calm
ness made her desperate. She put up her
hand quickly and touched his arm.
"Noelw she said, in low voice Noel,
are we ever to be friends again.
Was it the shifting light, or had he
really grown paler?
"Friends?'' he echoed. MY dear MISS
Travers-"
"Oh she interrupted, quickly, don't
let us be polite and diplomatic Noel!
Was it so very hard to forgive, after all?
, And now that three years have passed,
can't we let the past be past and be
, friends again? 1t was all so silly, so
childish. oh, I hardly remember now
what 1t was about and 1 waited and
, waited-I thought you must come back
! You would have come back If you had
cared!'
"If had cared?" The ice was suddenly
. broken, and his voice had another ring.
Cared! Why. what else have been do
: ing all these years? Why did come back
! at all-why?" He broke off suddenly.
But it is all too late, and it's nonsense of
I me to talk of being your friend"
, ''Why?" she asked, softly.
"Why? Because friendship would be a
sham, a lie. love you, Muriel! 1 have
e no right to tell you, but"
"..n ny have you no right?" she asked
y quickly.
r Because you have no right to listen
h Lord Barchester-"
e what has he 70 do with you and me?
e He stared at her Are you not going tC
marry him? 1 thought"
q "Oh, Noelr she cried, cant you-won't
: you understand? Must ask you to marry
J.; me as we'll as to dance with me?' she
e AIDED, with something between a laugh
a and a sob, as she held out both her hands
II | "'Muriel!
r What followed was doubtless absorb
= ingly interesting to the two persons con
y cerned; to outsiders it might have some
5 thing the effect of seeing people dance
( when one cannot hear the music.
/ But Mrs. Noel Lovett always declares
& that it was leap year which gave he
courage to clinch the matter.-The Lon
, don World