The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-10-17
LOVE is BLIND.

flowers, softly hued fairy lamps
and delicious strains OF ever-chang-
ing music-all these go to make enchaht-
ment. So. at least, thought Lord Hoh-
aid d Esterre.
He had lust returned from "A two years
sojourn in the heart of Africa. so
iOurn filed with dangers and privations'
his years numbered but five and twenty
he had a wel-knit springy frame and
keen. clear eye He had come back from
his travels with fame, courage and en-
DURANGO. but without a penny that he
could call his own.
What was next to be done? This was
tho problem that filled all his spare
thoughts His elder brother had lifted
him out for his expedition with the po-
lite intimation that that act was virtual
washing Of his hands of the superfluous
cadet his aunts had kissed him so warm
" at parting that he was amazed TO
End them mot at home when he re-
turned to London; his godfather mad
given him a 2O-pound note and such
hearty farewell that 1t was bewildering
to be cut by him when they met again In
the club smoking room
1T really seems as If they wish ] had
not returnedl" said the young man to
himself, with a smile at the incredible
Idea.
But as time passed on his smiles died
away and he ground his teeth savagely
as he realized that his relations had
thought it a good Investment to lay out
500 pounds and an inflnity of farewell In
the hope of getting quit of a troublesome
incumbrance. The thought was n bitter
one and in his first fury he vowed to
leave his native shores by the next ship
and never return But upon the heat of
his passion there fell a cooling breath
az If from heaven and the lion was
quickly changed into the lamb. Lord
Ronald d Esterre had been accustomed
4 .fraiNrl saF1f
al that at first he scarcely dared TO show
the attraction that lay for him in Violet
Harvey's gray eyes and silky hair. TO
his amazement, however, he found that
obstacles melted away miraculously at
his approach.
Violet was shy and retiring, but her
mother smiled sweety upon the young
man. Her father gave him "a hearty wei
come.
True love does run smooth sometimes.
after all" unused Lord Ronald on TINS
bright June evening as he walked home
after a meeting with Mrs. Harvey in the
park
shall you be at Lady Chesterford' S
party tonight?" she had said. "ViOlet and
l are going and we shall be disappointed
II we do not see you
His honest face had glowed with de-
light as she spoke and he seemed to be
treading on air as he walked away.
Even Aunt Mary has taken me back
into favor again" he thought. she was
horribly cross when / first came home
but now she is sugared satin whenever
l come near her ! dare say 1t was AL
my fault though. ] know that ! was
an Unconditional brute until violet came
to soften me"
Lady Marys lowered headdress was
the first object that met Lord Ronald
eyes when he entered his hostess crowd
cd drawing rooms that night and some
what to his surprise it was close to Mrs
HarVey's frizzled gray head.
81 should not have thought Aunt Mar!
would have anything to do with her" h'
reflected "Shc always says she car
detect the faintcst tmcture OF trade ant
she must know perfectly we'll that MI
Harvey made his money p malt.
At this moment he caught sight o
Violet and. forgetting an else. he elbowe'
his way eagerly through the crowd unit
ne reached her.
II might have been only fancy, but
seemed to him that her welcome was
warmer one than she had ever given hin
before and his heart beat faster as n
bent over her.
OWN you not come into The conserva
tory? me said. 1T Is so hot here.
She arose without word and tho
walked away together.
do you know il IS only six week
since I first saw you?" he said. 81 ca
II I had known YOU all my life"
He had an idea even as he spoke tina
he had seen the remark In almost ever
love story that he had ever read. br
he could not refrain from uttering 1
for e seemed so exact an expression {
his feelings. Violet, too had probabl
heard 1t before, but from Ronald's lii
It sounded new and her long eyelashC
dropped low as she listened.
They were walking between banks
flowers and ferns and the silence betwee
them was too sweet 10 be broken at ono
but Ronald knew that their s0litu,
might be disturbed at any moment, al
arousing himself from his dream he ha
just opened his lips to speak when
voice from some hidden speaker can
plainly TO their ears.
at is almost certain to come or Il
night / got him an invitation on pu
pose"
Ronald started; it was Lady Mary
voice. but he had not the remotest id'
to what she was abiding. In anoth
moment. however, she received her a.
swer. and it was Violets turn to star
for It came in her mothers accents:
1--WE shall be only too grateful to "
II II does come off, for her papa and
have always set our hearts on her MARI
ing a lord. The very minute that Viol
tells me he has proposed, the check sh'
be sent to you"
Ronald drew back step, his che
growing pale beneath its bronze. +
hands clinched involuntarily and for
moment Violet expected to see him "a
out on the conspirators, but their voic
were already receding in the distan
and as he looked around he saw the
gulsh in her face.
'VioletI' he cried, SELLING her hant