Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-06-28

these go to make up enchantment!
So at least thought Lord Ronald DIES
terre.
He had but just returned from a two
years sojourn in the heart CT Africa, q
sOjourn filled with dangers and priva-
tons. His years numbered but five and
twenty. He was possessed of a we'll
knit, springy frame and a kesn, clear
eye, and he had come back from his
travels with fame courage and en-
duraace, but without penny 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 vir-
tual washing of his hands of the super
fuous cadet. His aunts had kissed him
so warmly at parting that he was
amazed TO find them mot at home"
when he returned to.London. His god
father had given him twenty pound
note and such hearty farewell that 1t
was bewildering to be cut by him when
they met once mere in the club smok-
ing room. at really seems as il they
wish l had never come back! said the
young man TO himself, with a smile at
the incredible idea. But as time pass
ed On his smiles died away, and he
ground his teeth saVagey as he realized
that his relations haidth0ught it a good
investment to lay out so pounds and an
iQfnity of farewell IN the hope OF get
ting rid Of a troublesome incumbrance.
The thought was q bitter one, and in
his first fury ne vowed TO leave his ma
tive shores by the next ship and never
return to thom again. Put upon the
neat Of his passion there fell cooling
breath as if from heaven itself, and the
liUa VS. straightway changed into a
lamb Lord Ronald d Esterre had been
accustomed so long to be looked upon as
q detrimental that at first ihe scarcely
dared 10 show the attraction thatlay for
him in Violet H9rvsys appealing eyes
and soft shining hair. To his amaze
ment however, he found that obstacles
me!ted away miracu.ously at his ap-
preach. Violet herself was shy and
retirin~. il 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 smOOthe some
times after all!' he said to himself on
this bright June evening as he walked
homeward after meeting 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 ne seemed to
be treadng on air as he walked away
EVEN Aunt Maria 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 I come near her. l dare say
it was all my fault. though. i know
that | was an i'll Conditioned brute I'M
till Violet came to soften me-,
IIady Mar,a's Powered headdress was
the first object that met Lord Ronald's
eyes when he entered his hostess
crowded drawing rooms that evening,
and somewhat to his surprise it was in
close proximity to Mrs. Harvey's friz-
lied gray head.
"I should not have thought that Aunt
Maria would have anything to do with
her" he reflected. She always says
that she can detect the faintest tincture
Of trade, and she must know perfectly
well Chat 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 10 him that her vel
cc'me was a 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 cOnserv-
atory?" he said, pleadingly. 1T IS 50
hot here"
She rose without 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 l 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 so exact an expression Of his
feelings. Violet, toe, had probably
heard it before, but from Ronalds lips
it sounded absolutely new, and her long
eyelashes dropped lower upon her
cheek as she listened.
They were walking between banks Of
flowers and Rrn and the silence be-
tween them was too sweet TO be broken
at once: but Ronald knew that their
solitude might be disturbed at any
minute. and rous.ng himself from his
dream he had just opened his lips to
speak. when a voice from some hidden
speaker came plainly TO their ears:
ct IS almost certain 10 come off TO-
night, think got him an invitation
on purpose.
Ronald started: Il was Lady Maria's
voice. but he had not rhe remOtest idea
to what she was abiding. In another
moment. however. she received her an
swer and it was Vioiet's turn 10 start,
for It came in her mothers accents:
Eve shall be only too greatful 10 you
# it does come off, for her papa and I
have always set cur hearts on her mar
rying a lord. The very minute that
Violet tells me ne has proposed the
check shall be sent 10 YOU"
Ronald drew back a sep his cheek
growing white beneath its bronze; his
hands clenchel invOluntar!ly, and for a
moment Violet expected to see him
dash out upon the conspirators; but
their voices were already receding in
the distance, and as he looked around
he saw the anguish II her face.
,,rr.-1.. -, Ii rrfo1 -cfzirc, h.