Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-07-17
LOVE is BLIND.

Feathery palm trees, banks of flowers,
softly-hued fairy lamps and delicious
strains of ever-changing music, all these
go to make up enchantlnent!
So, at least, thought Lord Ronald
d'Esterrc.
lie had but just returned from two
years sojourn in the heart of Africa,
a sojouln filled with dangers and pri-
vations; his years numbered but Eve
and-twenty, he was possessed of we'll
knit, springy frame and keen, clear,
eye; and he had come back from his
travels with fame, courage and en-
durance, but without penny that he
could call his own.
What was next to be done? This
was the problem that filled all his spare
thoughts. His elder brother had fitted
him out for his expedition with the POI
determination that the act was virtual
washing of his hands of the superhuous
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 godfather had
given him twenty pound note and
such hearty farewell, that it was be-
wildering 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 5ackl" said the young
man to himself, with smile at the in.
credible 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 d good invest
ment to lay out 500 and an infinity Of
farewell in the hope of getting quit of
n troublesome incumbrance. The
thought was hitter one, and in his first
fury he vowed to leave his native 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 lamb. Lord
Ronald d'Esterre had been accustomed
SO long to be looked upon as 'detri-
mental" that at first he scarcely dared
to show the attraction that lay for him
in Violet Harvey's appealing gray eyes
and soft, shining hair. To his amaze
nent, however, he found that obstacles
melted away miraculously at his ap-
proach, Violet herself was shy and re-
firing, 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
tines, after ALL" 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 Chesterferd's
party tonight? 2" she had said. "Violet
pnd are going, and we shall be disap-
pointed if we do not see you."
His honest face had glowed with de-
light rs 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 1 first came home,
but now she is sugared satin whenever
I come near her. I dare say it was all
my fault, though, / know that was
pn ill=oonditioned 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
crowded drawing-rooms that evening,
and somewhat to his surprise it was in
close proximity to Mrs. Harvey's friz-
zled grey head.
II should not have thought that Aunt
Maria would have anything To do with
fer." he reflected. "She always says she
can detect the faintest tincture of trade
and she must know perfectly well that
Mr.. Harvey made his money in malt"
At this very moment, however, he
caught sight of Violet, and forgetting
oil 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 well
come was warmer one than she had
ever given him before, and his heart
beat faster us he bent over her.
"Will you not come into the conserva-
tory?" he said, pleadingly; sit is SO hot
here"
She rose without word, and they
walked away together.
"Do you know that it Is only six
weeks since first saw you?" he said.
II 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 he had ever read, but he
could not refrain from uttering it, for it.
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
eSelashes 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 avoice from some hidden speaker
came plainly to their ears.
ut is almost certain to come toff to-
night. ! got him an invitation on pur-
pose"