Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-02-01
CIIApHEIl LII.

The frightening shadows of the willow
tree told Irene that she had been here
long enough. She laughed aloud to her.
self rs she thought what the grandmcrc
would say IL she knew that for one whole
hour she had been lingering by the brook
side. dreaming Of the lover to come.
Then she started abruptly and arose
from her pretty seat, for II dog racing
a squirrel and barking furiously rushed
past her and two gen tlemcn followed the
dog.
"Where Is my lovcry' was the last
thought she remembered before the noise
and confusion Of the frightened squirrel,
the barking dog the hurried footsteps.
"Hc Is here" was the next thought that
occurred to her mind, for looking up she
saw the sunlight falling Oh the very hero
of her dreams.
She saw two gentlemen, one tall and
stately. with the digniticd, easy grace and
hearing that distinguishes soldier, with
bI DAD shoulders, with u grand, well-kuit
frame, with u face handsome In It's dark
beauty. The brow was broad and ideal.
with eyebrows that almost met; the eyes
were dark gray with indcscribable color
and beauty of expression; eyes that no
| woman could resist: she saw proud
mouth, yet 1t had in It the grace and
sweetness OF woman's.
He Is here" she thought to herself:
'he is just as ! have pictured him In
my dreams"
II am afraid We startled yOu," said II
deep voice.
ut Is my fault" said another voice.
Dido Is Il terrible dog for squirrels, and
I nt,vI,t IN I'm yn loft hin, M hanna
II am not startled now," said Irene.
But you Were protested the gentle
man to whom the dog belonged.
Looking up she saw him. and half Won
dered in that one moment whether he be-
longed to the same world as this-the
hero of her dreams.
II know that you were frightened" HI
persisted, "all the color left your face ana
you are trembling even now"
ut Is not that she answered simply.
So simply that the same thought of rev.
erence went through the minds of both
this was II girl, half angel, half child.
Both involuntarily took Oft their hats and
stood bareheaded before her.
She. with wide open eyes, checked her
self. 1t was not that-not so much the
noise of the dog that startled her as
she was alarmed by the emotion aroused
in her own heart by the sight Of that
dark, beautiful face.
Her senses We're all awake and she
looked from one to the other, taking in
every detail of their appearance with a
keen, comprehensive glance. From the
dark. handsome face and keen, gray eyes
she looked to fair Saxon face neither
very handsome nor very plain. They
were both gentlemen, she knew, from
| their dress and manner
The fairfaced stranger went on:
II have liked my dog, Dido, all my
life," he said; "and am angry with him
for the first time"
ut was not the dogs fault she an
swered.
The dark face was turned to hers, and
| the deep, clear voice sad
II think We ought to be very grateful
to Dido; but for her indiscretion In bark
ing, we should not have enjoyed this
pleasant meeting"
II do not call 1t pleasant when 1t has
frightened young lady" said the fair
haired stranger. Il would rather have
foregone the pleasure Of seeing her than
have caused her pain"
Irene looked at him; his face pleased
her, although 1t lacked the dark beauty
that seemed to her the most perfect; the
expression was simple. honest and true;
the eyes clear and candid, the mouth firm
aud gentle. He drew a card from his
card case.
"As Dido trespassed. aud he belongs to
me, allow me to introduce myself, and
apologize for him."
Irene took the card aud read the name;