The Florence daily tribune., 1899-01-28
LOVE is BLIND.

90 to make up enchantInent'
So. at least, thought Lord Ronald
d'Esterrc.
lie had but just returned from two
years sojourn in the heart of Africa,
a sojourn filed with dangers and pri-
vations; his years numbered but i've
aud-twcnty, he was possessed of we'll
knit, springy frame and keen. clear
eve; and he had come back from his
travels with fame, courage and en-
durance, but without II 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 mis- expedition with the po-
lite intimation thatthe act was virtual
washing of his hands of the superfiuous
cadet; his aunts had kissed him 50
warmly at parting that he was amazed
to find them not at home when he
returned to London; his godfather had
given him twenty pound note ana
such a hearty farewell, that il was be-
wildering to be cut by him when they
met once more in the club smoking
room. at really seems rs If they wish
/ had never come bacll!" said the young
man to himself, with smile ut the iE-
credible idea; hut as tine passed on his
smiles died away, and he ground ms
teeth savagely as he realized that his
relations had thought it a good invest
ment to lay out c 900 and an intinity oil
farewell in the hope of getting quit OF
troublesome incumhrancc. Tho
thought was a hitter one. and in his first
fury he vowed to leave his native shores
by the next ship, and never return 70
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 "dcti +
mental" that at first he scarcely dared
to show the attraction that lay for him
in Violet Harvey's appealing gray eyes
aud soft, shining hair. To his amaze
ment, however, he found that obs'1cles
melted away miraculously at his APP
rroach. Violet herself was shy and re-
tiring, 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 all" he said to himself on
this bright June evening, as he walked
homeward after a meeting with Mrs.
Harvey in the park.
"Shall YOU be at Lady Chesterford's
larty to-night?" she had said. violet
and | are going, and we shall be disap-
pointed 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 us he wallied 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
| come near her. | dare say it was all
my fault, though. l know that l was
un ill-conditioned brute until Violet
came to soften mel"
Lady Marias fiowered headdress wa
the first object that met Lord Eonald's
eyes when he entered his hostess
crowded drawing rooms that evening,
and somewhat TO his surprise it was il
close proximity to Mrs. Harvey's friz-
| 2lcd grey head.
II should not have thought that Aunt
Maria would have anything to do with
her," he reflected. 'She always says sh'
can detect the faintcst 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
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 wei
| come was warmer one than she had
ever given him before, and his heart
| heat faster as he bent over her.
"Will you not come into the conserva-
.ory?" he said, pleadingly; lit is so hot
here"
She rose withoat word, and they
walked away together.
do you know that it is only six
weeks since l first saw you?" he said.
Il 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 utteriug 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
eyelashes drooped lower upon her cheek
as she listened.
They were walking between banks OF
flower and fern, and the silence between
them was too sweet tn 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 voice from some hidden speaker
came plainly to their ears.
1T is almost certain TO come off to-
nirht. | got him q N inyitatin1, on, nnr-