Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-11-14

When Mr.. Ferris Archer was ush-
cred by an obsequious butler into the
luxurious library of Judge Van Nos
trand on n certain cold evening late
in November. and sank into comfort
able easy-chair before bright fire OF
soft COAL it was with feeling or
complete and entire satisfaction.
He had, in short. for months been
living in sort OF Fools Paradise, and
he was at this moment awaiting the
coming of the woman he loved.
bold and skillful painter of brilliant
landscapes Archer was. and. with
hosts Of friends among the loveliest
and most brilliant women In the town,
he chose to lay the tribute OF his love
at the feet of the quietest and least
dazzling of them all.
Helen Van Nostrand was not "a
mans woman" she had many friends,
hut they were chiefly among those OF
her own sex; and in spite Of her
wealth and position and the charming
and gracious hospitality which she
dispensed as head of her fathers
household (for her mother had died
when she was a very young GRID, in
spite also of a certain quiet charm of
manner which even birth and breed
ing do not always bestow, Miss Van
Nostrand had the reputation of being
rather cold and reserved, and there
were even those who rather feared to
meet the severe directness Of her hon
est gray eyes. Yet there were others.
and Archer was one of these, who
knew that under the rather cold ex-
terror there beat O warm, impulsive,
woman's heart.
Absolutely free from coquetry, Miss
Van Nostrand had never betrayed for
Archer the slightest feeling beyond
the frankest confidence and good will;
they we're the best of friends, which
was just what rendered the situation
most hopeless.
Moreover, Archer was proud. Far
too proud to ask the daughter of
Judge Van Nostrand to cast in her lot
with vagabond artist like himself.
And SO he drifted on, trying to be con-
tent with the half sovereignty of a
kingdom upon whose throne he could
never hope to sit; and at least his Sc
cret was his own.
He was kept waiting for her coming
rather longer than usual on this par
reverie from which he was aroused
by little ripple of laugh which
made him spring to his feet. 1t was
good to hear Helen Van Nostrand' s
laugh.
Ali" she said Il was wording an
apology for keeping you waiting while
l was finishing the copying OF fathers
speech for the great meeting tomor-
row highland here come upon you
so absorbed in thoughts of somebody
else that 'you do not even hear me
enter the room"
She was tall for woman, yet she
was obliged to throw back her head a
little to reach the higher level Of his
eyes.
She dropped her own presently,
blushing a little ut the expression in
his, which had In 1t something more
than his usual attentiveness, and she
gently disengaged the hand which he
had held while she was speaking.
With the other hand she lightly
, touched a bunch Of double violets, the
only spot of color about her dress of
soft gray. you see," she said, 81
have your violets, and you must be
prepared for little lecture on eX.
travagance; flowers are not to be had
at this season just for the pluckins
nor should my selfish passion for then,
be INDUCED in so often"
But" said Archer smiling as he
drew up chair for her beside his
own, what if I could prove. that
aside from the quite Unreasonable
pleasure which receive in sending
ly helping somebody who could per
haps be helped in no other way?"
Helen raised questioning eyes. %
fear l do not understand" she said
shaking her head. "If you mean the
florist or the person who grows the
NlOlGlo-
Right as usual" cried Archer;
but how did you guess the secret Of
my pretty flower maiden?" Another
question in the gray eyes. Il have
wanted to tell you about her before,
Archer went on, and he paused a mo
ment and smiled thoughtfully, a:
though he were conjuring up a pleas
ant vision, Helen thought
You see,' he went on, 81 have al
ways known your fondness for VIC
let's, and always procured those
sent you at one particular place. On,
day, few months ago, went in an,
found the proprietor "a" very goo,
sort of a fellow, by the way) talkin,
TO a pretty young woman, whom
recognized at once as the daughter O
an old friend of my fathers whom
had not seen for years; she remem
bered me, strangely enough, and
walked home with her. talking over al