The Jasper news., 1907-11-21

When Mr.. Ferris Archer was ush-
cred by an obsequious butler into the
luxurious library Of Judge Van Nos
trand on certain cold evening late
in November, and sank into comfort
able easy-chair before bright fire Of
soft coal, 1t was with feeling Of
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. A
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,
but 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 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 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 were 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 a 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 pSr
ticular evening, and he had fallen into
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.
"Ah!" she said; Il was wording an
apology for keeping you waiting while
l was finishing the copying Of fathers
speech for the great meeting to-mor
row highland here l come upon you
so absorbed in thoughts of somebody
else that you do not even hear me
enter the ROOM"
She was tall for a woman, yet she
was obliged to throw back her head {
little to reach the higher level Of hii
eyes.
She dropped her own presently
blushing little at the expression II
his, which had in 1t something more
than his usual attentiveness, and sh,
gently disengaged the hand which HI
had held while she was speaking
With the other hand she light.
touched a bunch of double violets, tn,
only spot Of color about her dress o
soft gray. you see," SHE said, ''
have your violets, and you must b.
prepared for little lecture on ex
travagance; flowers are not to be hat
at this season just for the plucking
nor should my selfish passion for then
, be indulged in so often"
J But" said Archer, smiling as h,
, drew up chair for her beside hi
own, what II l could prove, tina
aside from the quite imneasurabl
!, pleasure which receive in sendin
you the flowers, you are also indirect
ly helping somebody who could pei
haps be helped in no other way?"
Helen raised questioning eyes.
fear | do not understand" she said
: shaking her head. IF you mean tn
florist or the person who grows tn
. violets-"
Right as usual" cried Archer
"but how did you guess the secret G
my pretty flower maiden?" Anothe
question in the gray eyes. Il hav
wanted to tell you about her before,
Archer vent on, and he paused a mt
ment and smiled thoughtfufly, a
though he we're conjuring up pleas
!, ant vision, Helen thought.
0 "You see." he went on. II have a