The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-06-25
LOVE is BLIND.

Feathery palm trees, banks of flow
ers, softly hued fairy lamps, and de-
licious strains Of ever changing music,
all these go to make up enchantmentl
So, at least, thought Lord Ronald
d'Esterre.
He had but Just returned from two
years soiourn in the heart of Africa, a
sojourn filled with dangers and priva-
tions; his years numbered but five and
twenty, he was possessed of a we'll
knit, springy frame and 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 done2 This was
the problem that filled all his spare
thoughts His elder brother had fitted
him out for his expedition with the po-
lite intimation that the act was vir.
tual washing of his hands of Che super
fluous cadet; his aunts had kissed him
so warmly at parting that he was amaz-
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. ut really
seems as If they wish had never come
backp' said the young man to himself,
with q smile ut the incredi Die 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 good investment to lay out $500
and an infnity Of farewell in the hope
of getting quit of 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 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 mirao-
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 ALI he said to himself on
this bright June evening, as he walked
homeward after meeting with Mrs.
Harvey in the park.
"Shall you be at Lady Chesterford' s
party tonight?" she had said. "Violet
and are going, and we shall be so dis
appointed if 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 Marin has taken me
back into favor again." he thought.
"She was horribly cross when l first
came home, but now she is sugared
) satin whenever 1 come near her. dare
say it was all my fault, though. /
know that l was an i'll conditioned
brute until Violet came to soften mev'
Lady Maria's flowered headdress was
) the first object that met Lord Ronald 8
eyes when he entered his hostess crowd
ed drawing rooms that evening, and
o somewhat to his surprise it was in close
proximity to Mrs. Harvey's frizzled
gray head.
: "I should not have thought that
Aunt Maria would have anything to do
, with herl" he reflected. "She always
: says that she can detect the faintest
tincture of trade and she must know
: perfectly well 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. II
might have been only fancy, but at any
rate it seemed to him that her welcome
, was warmer one than she had evei
2 given him before, and his heart beat
: faster as he.bent over her.
"Will you not come into the conserva
tory?" he said pleadingly. "It is so hot
!, here" She rose without . word, ant
they walked away together.
"Do you know that it is only 81,
!. weeks since l first saw your" he said
!, 81 can hardly believe it myself, for il
: seems as if l 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, but HI
could not refrain from uttering it, for i
4 seemed so exact an expression of hi
o feelings Violet, too, had probabl,
J. heard it before, but from Ronald's lip
J. it sounded absolutely new, and her Ions
Q eyelashes dropped lower upon her cheel
/ as she listened.
i They were walking between banks o
flower and fern and the silence between
o them was too sweet to be broken a
once, but Ronald knew that their soil
it tude might be disturbed at any moment
e and rousing himself from his dream h
had Just opened his lips to speak whel
Y voice from some hidden speaker cam
:. plainly to their ears
"It is almost certain to come off to
night, think. got him an invitation
/ on purpose.
= Ronald started. It was Lady Maria
20 voice, but he had not the remotest ide
J., to what she was alluding. In anothe
>, :. moment, however, she received her an
!" swer and it was Violet's turn to start
for it came in her mothers accents:
"We shall be only too grateful +
70 you il 1t does come off, for her papa an
III / have always set our hearts on he
marrying lord. The very minute tina