El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-11
CHAPTER IT


CHAPTER III.
As for Isabel, her mind was In fer
ment and she lay awake for long time
mentally re ,iewing the experiences of the
evening. Mr.. Herbert was charming. She
did not suppose that IL ever would be her
good fortune to meet q man who so nearly
Appropriated her ideal. She marveied at
his insight, the sympathy with which he
OWNED her thoughts and feelings. 1t was
a delicious sensation-this OF knowing
such u man.
She gave him some of her manuscripts
to read, as he had requested her to do so.
Not many days afterward he went up to
her room, on the third floor, to return
them The door stood ajar, revealing the
little domain, furnished to look like a par
J Tor. Isabel sat in an easy chair by a table
holding large lamp and gave a nervous
start when she perceived Herbert's pres
ence.
MAY I come IMP" he asked. please
don't move. You look SO comfortable"
He brought chair to the other side of
the table and said:
What are you reading?" as she folded
her book over one finger, as If to keep her
place.
Emerson. 1 am quite ashamed to own
1t to n Bostonian, but it is the first time"
He smiled at her apologize tone.
az suppose you are anxious to hear what
think about these" and he laid the en-
velope containing the manuscripts on the
table.
'There is decided promise in what you
have allowed me to see. have written
down u few suggestions for you to read at
your leisure. But why take such a dark
view of lifeS''
"Isn't life sad for most Of usP" she de-
manded. ''How can people who have never
I'm han fv,aS. call
.'Ah, but you will find Emerson teaches
that happiness lies in ourselves what we
are, not what we have. There is no real
evil but sin. There should be n crusade
Of hopefulness inaugurated in the world.
Don't you think SOP
Isabel smiled in response Herbert
went on:
And then who would not tire of con-
tinual sunshiney Travellers in Norway
grow almost insane sometimes because of
the monotonous daylight of its summer.
My philosophy is summed up in this
whatever Is is right"
You are giving me n new outlook"
she said thoughtfully. II am too much
engrossed in myself and think so much
get confused. You do me good
Her freedom from affectation charmed
Herbert He answered warmly, If you
care to talk to me, think you will find
q sympathetic listener
This was the beginning of an acquaint-
ance that soon grew to a familiar footing
Herbert regularly spent two evenings of
each week with Isabel Lane, who began to
read and study under his direction and
criticism. There was great delight in
ministeriDg to the eager, receptive mind
that expanded daily under his influence.
Moreover, she possessed that sympathetic,
appreciative nature which makes a woman
companionable. Herbert felt that there
l.s.~r
rare friendships that few men and women
are high minded enough to enjoy.
The feeling was different on Isabel's
part Her awakening love nature wound
itself about Herbert's personality. Owing
to- her Ignorance of men and women she
attributed his interest in her work to a
sinOldering passion for herself. She Won
dercd when he would speak. Many times
she rehearsed the scene in imagination
and grew radiantly happy.
Some weeks later Frank sat alone in his
room reading after a busy day. Mr.. Her
bert was dining with friends. 1t had
rained all day, and now the water, freez-
ing a. it fell, formed thin coating of ice
over the pavement. The door was open,
and CHANGING to raise his eyes he saw Iss-
bel coming down stairs dressed for out
doors.
why, Miss Lane he said, coming out
in the hall, you are courageous to go
out tonight. Don't you know how slip
perry it isS Wait a moment. Let me go
with you
"Oh, no, DR. Brewer, please don't trou-
BILE yourself! L know you are tired
shouldn't think of going, only promised
a friend on Newton street to spend the
night with her"
Frank was ready by the time she finis,'
ed her protestation, his fatigue forgot, 1
in the thrill OF joy at the thought of SER
ing this woman, to whom his whole hear5
was almost unconsciously given.
81 wish so much that / could have more
time for social things. II Herbert and
could even up little, and 1 could have
some of his leisure, 1 might see more of
you,'' he said when they were well on
their way.
Her hand was on his arm. Once she
slipped and leaned heavily upon him. She
answered:
You and Mr.. Herbert are great friends,
I suppose. Have you known him long?"
Only since came to Boston. He has
been awfully kind to me. My brothers
death cut me up considerably, and was
in pretty bad shape when Herbert ran
across me and proposed 1 should share his
rooms this winter
Too soon they were at the door of her
friends house, where hc left her.
After this episode Frank fell into the
way of coming in to- see her in his rare
hours of leisure. Isabel found these calls
very enjoyable.
The bOarders gossipcd good deal when
they found out how much attention Miss
Lane received from the two most eligible
men in the house.
.'Those quiet women are deep" NJ.
Martin remarked to the widow occupying
the second floor front. She did not like
the turn affairs We're taking, but she knew
Isabel's stepmother and wanted to do wei