Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-07-17
LOVE Is BLIND.

uclous strains OF ever changing music
all these go to make up enchantmentl
So, at least, thought Lord Ronal
d'Esterre.
He had but just returned from tw
years sojourn in the heart of Africa,
sojourn filled with dangers and privs
tions; his years numbered but five an
twenty, he was possessed Of a we
knit, springy frame and a keen, clea
eye, and he had come back from hi
travels with fame, courage and endu1
ance, but without penny that he coul
call his own.
What was next to be done? This wa
the problem that filed all his spar
thoughts. His elder brother had fitte
him out for his expedition with the DC
lite intimation that the act was a viz
tual washing of his hands of the super
fuous cadet; his aunts had kissed hin
SO warmly at parting that he was amaz
ed to find them mot at home" when h,
returned to London; his godfather hal
given him ego note and such hearty
farewell that it was bewildering to be
cut by him when they met once more
in the club smoking room. st really
seems as if they wish had never come
back!'' 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 savagely 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 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 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 allP' 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.
Given Aunt Maria has taken me
back into favor again." he thought.
"She was horribly cross when I first
came home, but now she is sugared
satin whenever l come near her. dare
say it was all my fault, though. 1
know that I was an ill conditioned
brute until Violet came to soften mel"
Lady Maria's lowered headdress was
the first object that met Lord Ronald s
eyes 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.
81 should not have thought that
Aunt Maria would have anything to do
with herv' 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. It
might have been only fancy, but at any
rate it seemed to him that her welcome
was warmer one than she had ever
given him before, and his heart beat
faster as he bent over her.
'Will you not come into the conserva-
tory?'' he said pleadingly. SIT is so hot
here" She rose without a word, and
they walked away together.
''Do you know that it is only six
weeks since I first saw you?'' he said.
81 can hardly believe it myself, for it
seems as if / 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 he had ever read, but he
could not refrain from uttering it, for it
seemed 20 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
eyelashes 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 soil.
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.
1T is almost certain to come off to-
night, think. got him an invitation
on purpose
Ronald started. 1t syas Lady Maria s
voice. but he had not the remotest idea
to what shs was abiding. In another
moment, however, she received her an
swer and it was Violet's turn to start,
for it came in her mothers accents:
1--WE shall be only too grateful to
you if il does come off, for her papa anu
have always set our hearts on hel
marrying lord. The very minute that
Violet tells me he has proposed the
sheck shall be sent to you"
Ronald drew back step, his cheek
growing white beneath its bronze. His
hands clenched inyoluntarily, and for a
moment Violet expected to zee him dash
out upon the conspirators. but their
voices were already receding in the dis
tance. and as he looked round he saw
the anguish in her face
"Violet! Violet!' he cried, seizing
her hands in his. "You knew nothing
of thisi I swear it with my dying
BREATH"
She drew her hands away and turned