El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-11
QUIET MISS LANE.
CHAPTER I.

thing about her. She had quiet way Of
slipping in and out of the dining room,
and NJ the table scarcely ever ventured
more than polite remark on the condi-
ton Of the weather unless first addressed
by some one.
il was a merry company that gathered
around Mrs. Martins table three times
day. The elocution students fought AMIGA
BILE battles over the merits of their respec-
tive schools; the technology boy cracked
jokes or propounded conundruIns- Mr.
Herbert had always some interesting story
to tell.
How do you like her?" the black hair
ed elocution student asked the technology
boy one day not long after Isabel's arrival
'sOh. she's no goodl 1 don't take any
stock in her," was the crushing reply OF
this astute youth
Which serves to show that Isabel Lane,
with her reserved, reticent manner, was
not popular at the boarding house. She
had acquired a habit of silence. Not caring
for the girlish pleasures of her stepsisters,
she had lived in an inner world of her
own, growing to womans estate under
home influences that repressed her person
ality until the force within made her seek
expression in writing, first in voluminous
journals, then in more ambitious attempts
at fiction She submitted some OF these
tales to the criticism of a literary bureau
and was encouraged to keep on. Her do
pendent life reused within her "a strong de-
sire to earn her own livelihood with her
pen work; but, handicapped by lack OF
physical strength, she did not make head
way.
Isabel was 26 years old. She had never
received an offer of marriage. Her sisters
were settled in homes of their own, but the
commonplace young men they chose for
husbands could not satisfy Isabel's needs
and ideals. In their turn, they thought
her cold and intolerant of men, and Isabel
herself began by this time to hold rather
pessimistic views regarding the wisdom of
woman's natural destiny.
what do you make of her, Herbertf"
asked Frank Brewer, the young doctor
taking postgraduate work, who shared
Mr.. Herbert's bachelor apartments.
He was a handsome fellow, taller than
his friend, with an athletic figure, alert,
expressive features, golden brown mus
tache and hair. Herbert was reading. He
turned the magazine face downward on
the table and clasped his hands reflectively
behind his head.
''Her face shows character and intellect.
I like il. But she doesn't take a healthy
interest in her looks I want to get q
chance to talk to her.
''She won't say anything to you.'
well, We'll see think she will
Frank seated himself ut the piano. He
was an intense lover of music and played
well.
The room where the two men sat betok-
ened artistic taste, with its collection OF
pictures and articles of vertu- Mr.. Her
bert had Travelled extensively and was re-
puted to be independent of his profession
that of architect and designer. He also
was thought to be good looking man
There were no gray threads visible in his
dark hair and beard, though he was many
years Franks senior.
IL was Sunday afternoon early in De
oeIn5er. The rain, which had fallen all
day. now turned into u gray mist that
shroudcd the city like veil upon the face
of an erring woman.
Let us have the family come in to-
night. No one will care to go cut, and we
can have some singing, Frank said and
stopped playing to hear what Herbert
would say He answered abstractedly,
I've no objections"
The boarders came after supper, and
Isabel WAS prevailed upon to accompany
them she kept closely Mt Mrs Martins
side, listening to the gay talk, but taking
no part in it. She looked prettier than
usual in what was evidently new gown ;
of a shade of violet which was very be- ,
coming. !
After awhile Herbert, who had been
furtiyely watching her for some time,
came TO her side and said in the most
winning tones:
Il am told that you sing, Miss Lane.
Won't you favor us this evening"
Isabel looked startled. Then she said
simply:
Certainly, if it will give you pleasure"
And, seating herself ut the piano, she sang !,
Chadwicks exquisite setting of transla- |
tion from the German, by Longfellow, be- |
ginning, Allah gives light in darkness"
Explanations of delight were heard |,
from all as the closing chord vibrated into |
silence.
do sing 1t again." Herbert said ear |
nestly.
She complied with his request, and then |
rose to leave the instrument.
All, don't stop nowI' Frank Brewer |
pleaded, coming to her side.
She smiled at him. LET me play for I
the rest to sing" she said. All voices /
joined in the strains of the familiar hymn
she played.
After the company separated for the 1
night, and they were alone, Herbert said:
II had quite a talk with Miss Lane. 1 |
found her an interesting woman, n little |
morbid and interpretive. She needs sym
pathy and friendliness to draw her out. I !
am going to help her with her work. She
writes, you know
Where's her home? Hasn't she rela-
tivesr''
"A stepmother, who, infer, is far from
being congeniaL She lives with her in n
small country place. 1 forget what she
called it,
Frank stared at an etching on the wall
before him. He said nothing, and Her
bert continued:
.'She came here for change OF scene;
hasn't been well of late. She needs healthy
contact with people. She Is too fine
rafiine, as the French say"
Then seeing that Frank was not inclin-