The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-01-09

clear-cut features, started.
Mr.. Jermyn?-ah, yes, of counsel
Your appearance seems familiar. But
then, aren't your photographs all over
London?' she asked.
Mark bowed, but guessed by her
tone that she had never seen his por-
trait
He sauntered aimlessly about, con-
versing first with one and another, till
at length he found himself addressing
the host himself. And Jermyn was
agreeably surprised; Elsie's father
was not nearly so formidable as he
had pictured him to be; on the con-
trary, his attitude toward the young
lion of the season was courtesy and
geniality itself.
"Ah! my daughter tells me she met
you in Paris he remarked. lone of
the first to discover your genius, l be-
lieve? Elsie's a dear girl, my dear
sir!'
'She is assented Mark, earnestly
Always a dutiful girl, and a prize
worth the winning" continued Mr..
Renton, briskly. It's a pity we're to
lose her so soon-but there. the men,
the menl l was young myself once"
You mean some one will fall in
love with her?' queried Jermyn, anX-
iously.
Has fallen in love- Scores of them.
By the way, there she is with Lord
Mapleson."
Mark Jermyn turncd and followed
the others glance to where Elsie
stood talking with the man he had
noticed a few moments before.
Are they
Engaged, my dear sir. engaged.
And to be married shortly. My wife's
wonderful woman's she arranged it
anr'
Marks first impulse was to fiee but
he resolved to learn the truth from
Elsie's lips first. At last he caught
her glance. following her into small
ante-room leading from one of the
principal apartments When the door
closed, he took her hand, and looked
into her eyes.
ELSIE" he asked. rs it true?"
She averted her gaze.
us what true?" she murmured.
"That you're engaged to Lord Ma
plesonY
Her eyes filed with tears and she
turned toward him passionately.
Nor she said vehemently. Hes
asked me frequently, but I've always
refused. But mamma insists, and the
rumOr we're engaged is about already.
Oh, Mark! Mark!'-with an out
stretching of her arms that was ire
sistible; whats to be done?"
He took her into his arms.
you love me, what is to prevent
our happiness?"
"Mother-she insists. Father,
know, would rather l married a man
of my choice"
"And l insist on you marrying mew
he cried earnestly. THAT is, if you're
willing to become the wife of a non
1 entity?"
She looked up quickly.
''Who is the nonentity?" she asked.
you, the clever artist or''-with a
gesture of disdain-"Lord Mapleson?
Then, darling" he cried eff your
mother will not consent, it must be a
don't mind intrusting your happiness
to me?"
mo, indeed. Mark, no! 1 love you,
oh! heaps more than l did two years
ago, and that's something, isn't it,"
He admitted that it was, and kissed
her. when some one calling Elsie she
had to leave. Mark strolled back to
the drawing room with a lighter
heart Some one was asking Mr.. Rem
ton whether Jermyn was to play; the
host shrugged his shoulders, but the
musician ut once interrupted with the
remark he should only be too 6e-
lighted.
y move was made to the piano.
while all voices were hushed as it be-
came known that the great Jermyn
was at the instrument. He ran
through several of his better known
things in succession, playing as he
had never played before, his audience,
spellbound and enraptured. The APP
plause at his conclusion. unlike most
drawing-room applause. was for once
sincere.
Mr.. RentOn was profuse in his
thanks, and then his less genial wife
inquired as a special favor, whether
he would give them a novelty.
"A novelty?" repeated Mark, anx-
ious to please has prospective parent.
''Ah, yes. l had almost forgotten.