Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-07-14
LOVE is BLIND.

Feathery palm trees, banks Of flow
ers, softly hued fairy lamps. and de-
iicious strains of ever changing music,
all these go to mako mp enchantmentl
So, at least. thought Lord Ronald
d'Esterre.
He had but just returned from two
years sojourn in the heart of Africa, a
sojourn filed with dangers and priva-
tions; his years numbered but FIVE and
twenty, he was possessed of q we'll
knit, springy franc and q keen, clear
eye, and he had come back from his
travels with fame, courage and endur-
ance, but without penny that he could
call his own.
What was next to be done? This was
the problem that filed all his spare
thoughts. His elder brother had fitted
him out for his expedition with the po-
lite intimation that the act was a yir-
tual washing of his hands of the super
huous cadet; his aunts had kissed him
so warmly at parting that he was anaz-
ed to find them mot at home'' when he
returned to London; his godfather had
given him e20 note and such hearty
farewell that it was bewildering to be
cut by him when they met once more
In the club smoking room. cit really
seems as if they wish had never come
backr" said the young man to himself,
with smile at the incredible idea, but
as time passed ON his smiles died away,
and he ground his teeth sayagely as he
realized that his relations had thought
it good investment to lay out $500
and an infinity of farewell in the hope
of getting quit of a troublesome incum-
brance.
The thought was bitter one and in
his first fury he vowed to leave his ma
tive shores by the next ship, and never
return to them again. But upon the
heat of his passion there fell cooling
breath, as If from heaven itself, and the
lion was straightway changed into a
lamb. Lord Ronald d'Esterre had been
accustomed so long to be looked upon
as a detrimental that at first he
scarcely dared to show the attraction
that lay for him in Violet Harvey's ap-
pealing gray eyes and soft, shining
hair. To his amazement, however, he
found that obstacles melted away mirac-
ulously at his approach. Violet herself
was shy and retiring, it is true, but her
mother smiled sweetly upon him and
her father shook him warmly by the
hand
Was ever man so blessed before?
"True love does run smooth some
times, after alll'' he said to himself on
this bright June evening, as he walked
homeward after a meeting with Mrs.
Harvey in the park.
is.
party tonightP" she had said "Violet
and I are going. and we shall be SO dis
appointed if we do not SEQ 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 Maria has taken me
back into favor again, he thought
''She was horribly cross when first
came home, but now she is sugared
satin whenever come near her. dare
say it was all my fault, though. L
know that I was an ill conditioned
brute until Violet came to soften mel"
Lady Maria's fiowered headdress was
the first object that met Lord Ronald's g
ewes when he entered his hostess crowd
ed drawing rooms that evening, and
somewhat to his surprise it was in close
proximity to Mrs. Harvey's frizzled
gray head.
s'I should not have thought that
Aunt Maria would have anything to do
with herp' he reflected. "She always
says that she can detect the faintest
tincture of trade and she must know
perfectly we'll that Mr.. Harvey made
his money in malt. "
At this moment, however, he caught
sight of Violet and forgetting all else,
he elbowed his way eagerly through the
crowd until he reached her side. 1t
might have been only fancy, but at any
rate it seemed to him that her welcome
was a warmer one than she had ever
given him before, and his heart beat
faster as he bent over her.
''Win you not come into the conserva-
tory?'' he said pleadingly. at is so hot
here. (" She rose without word, and
they walked away together.
sfDo you know that it is only six
weeks since first saw you?' he said
''I can hardly believe it. myself, for it
seems as If I had known you all my
life -
He had an idea even as he spoke that
he had seen the remark in almost every
love story that ne nau ever fesiu' DuS Ao
could not refrain from uttering 1t, for 1t
seemed so exact an expression OF his
feelings Violet, too. had probably
heard it before, but from Ronald's lips
it sounded absolutely new, and her long
eyelnshes dropped lower upon her cheek
as she listened.
They were walking between banks OF
flower and fern and the silence between
them was too sweet to be broken at
once, but Ronald knew that their soli-
tude might be disturbed at any moment,
and rousing himself from his dream he
had just opened his lips to speak when
a voice from some hidden speaker came
plainly to their ears
''It is almost certain to come on to-
night, think got him an invitation
ON purpose.
Ronald started. 1t was Lady Maria's
voice, but he had not the remotest idea
to what she was alluding. In another
moment, however, she received her an
swer and it was Violet's turn TO start,
for it came in her mothers accents: