Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-23

Gs=sGs9 our third waltz that she was the only
woman in the world for me-.
The ridiculous part of it was, that
when our hostess introduced us, l didn't even
catch her name-her surname that is: for mid
dle-aged lady who appeared to exercise some
espionage over her called her "Lota," and with
that | had to rest content.
My sister and | were staying with friends
presumably she was doing the same-and were
leaving the day after the festivity. The friends
consisted of four girls and their father.
The girls on cross-examination, knew nothing
of Lota and refused, quite politely, to find out
My sister said it was jealousy Possibly she was
right
The father was deaf and devoted to conchology,
and more hopeless than his daughters.
You'll forget her in fortnight" prophesied
my sister. You know. jeff, you have been like
this before"
But she was wrong. l went back to work.
am reading for the Bar-and matters grew worse
I became morbid and depressed, lost my appe-
tite, and neglected my work, and all because
Lota's eyes-I wish | could describe their color
came between me and everything else
[ think it was chiefly at my sisters suggestion
that I resolved to take walking tour across
Norfolk with a friend. She thought it would di-
vert my mind. The friend fell through at the
last moment, as friends have knack of doing
and | resolved to take the tour alone / don't
think that the first two three days did me
much good; at any rate, they didn't change the
current Of my thoughts; for, having no one to
talk to, dwelt more than ever my hopeless
infatuation.
Where did Lota live? Had she happy life?
Had she ever been--was she in love-was She
horrible thought!-married?
/ built up little romances about her, demolished
them, and built up fresh ones, and hundred
times day cursed my folly in not having found
out more about her when I had the chance.
One afternoon it was scorchingly hot, and the
road along which 1 tramped correspondingly
dusty. ] turned down by-way, which led past
one of the most glorious parks | have ever seen.
Great over-archng trees made tempting shade;
and cool velvety grass spread out right and
left Only low stone wall divided it from the
dusty dull road.
The temptation was too great to be resisted.
81 suppose it's breaking the law" said | to
myself, "but | must stretch my limbs under
that old oak, if l swing for it."
| had honestly meant to read and muse for
few moments and then to continue my way;
but what with the softness Of the grass, and
a delicious breeze which famed by brow and
made me drowsy, in ten minutes | sound
asleep.
L don suppose l mad slept more than a quar-
ter of an hour, when I awoke suddenly with
the uncomfortable sensation that someone was
bending over me.
My instinct had not deceived me. A very tall
thin, elderly man of aristocratic appearance was
standing at my side, gazing down at curiously
Involuntary shver ran through me- for
stranger face ] have never seen.
The eyes were very piercing, deepset, and neal
together, and the shaggy eyebrows and pointed
beard gave an almost Mephistolphelian aspect tC
the features
81 fear am trespassing, said, rising hastily
"Not at all, he answered cordially "You are
very welcome to make of my poor place"
"A very beautiful one" said /, not knowing
what else to say.
1T is kind of you to think so' he seemed
pleased "You are a lover of the beautiful
You must see the house; it is an old Elizabethar
place of some historical interest"
He began to stroll on as he spoke, as if expect
ing me to accompany him For a moment hello
back for an nslstent something seemed TO war;
me TO make an excuse and hurry to the road
but | disregarded it. An adventure would be