The Carlisle independent., 1907-11-07

luxurious library of Judge Van Nos trand on certain cold evening late in November, and sank into a comfort able easy-chair before bright fire of soft coal, it was with feeling of complete and entire satisfaction.
 He had, in short, for months been living in a 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 a very young girD, in spite also of 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- terior there beat a warm, impulsive, womans 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~frfends, 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 se- cret was his own.
 He was kept waiting for her coming rather longer than usual on this par ticular evening, and he had fallen into a reverie from which he was aroused by little ripple of laugh which made him spring to his feet. It was good to hear Helen Van Nostrand's s laugh.
 "Ah!" she said; T was wording an apology for keeping you waiting while I was finishing the copying of fathers speech for the great meeting to-mor- 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 a woman, yet she was obliged to throw back her head a little to re ,ssh the higher level of his eyes.
 She dropped her own presently, blushing little at the expression in his, which had in it 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, 'I 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 plucking, nor should my selfish passion for them be indulged in so often"
 But" said Archer, smiling as he drew up chair for her beside his own, what if could prove, that aside from the quite immeasurable pleasure which I receive in sending you the flowers, you are also indirect ly kelping somebody who could per. haps be helped in no other way?"
 Helen raised questioning eyes. .T fear I do not understand" she said, shaking her head. "If you mean the florist or the person who grows the violets-"
 Right as usual" cried Archer; hut how did you guess the secret of my pretty flower maiden?" Another question in the gray eyes. q have wanted to tell you about her before," Archer went on, and he paused mo- ment and smiled thoughtfully, as though he were conjuring up pleas ant vision, Helen thought.
  ways known your fondness for vio- lets. and I always procured those I sent you at one particular place. One day a few months ago, went in and found the proprietor Ca very good sort of fellow, by the way) talking . nrattv young woman. whom I