Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-07

When Mr. Ferris Archer was ush.
cred by an obsequious butler into the
luxurious library Of Judge Van Nos
trand on o certain cold evening late
in November, and sank into a comfort
able easy-chalr before a bright FIRE OF
soft coal. It was with a 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 he loved. \
bold and sklllful painter Of brilliant
landscapes Archer was, and, with
hosts Of friends among the lovoliest
and most brilliant women in the town,
he chose to lay the tribute OF his owe
at the feet OF the q%uietest aud 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 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 ever 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 a 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
vas 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 al least his Sc
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
q reverie from which he was aroused
by a little ripple of q laugh which
made him spring TO his feet. 1t was
good to hear Helen Van Nostrand's
laugh.
All" she said; 81 was wording an
apology for keeping you waiting while
! 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 eve hear NE
enter the room"
She was tail for a 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 at the expression in
his, which had in II 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 uraU HVnt Gao dha cola 81
have your %violets, and you must be
prepared for a little lecture on ex
travagance; flowers are not To be had
at this season just for the plucking
nor should my selfish passion for then
be INDUCED in so often"
But" said Archer, smiling as he
drew up a chair for her beside his
own. what II l could prove, thai
aside from the quite immeasurablt
pleasure which ! receive In sendins
you the flowers, you are also indirect
ly helping somebody who could per
haps be helped in no other way?"
Helen raised questioning eyes. 90
fear ! do not understand" she said
shaking her head. IF you mean The
horist or the person who grows th'
violets-"
Right as usual" cried Archer
but how did you guess the secret O
my pretty flower Maiden" Anothe
question IN the gray eyes, q hav,
wanted to tell you about her before
Archer went on, and he paused q nc
ment and smiled thoughtfully, a
though he were c~onjuring up a pleas
ant vision, Helen thought.
You see" he went on, u have a
ways known your fondness for vic
lets. and l always procured those
sent you at L particular place. On
day, q few months ago, ! went In an
found the proprietor IA very goo
sort Of a fellow, by the way talkin
TO a pretty young woman, whom
recognized at once as the daughter {
an old friend Of my fathers whom
had not seen for years; she re7nen
bered me, strangely enough, and
walked home with her, talking over a
that had happened since We parte.
Hers was a sad story, poor child; he
father had embezzlcd and then die
leaving his wife Ga chronic invalid
and his young daughter "a struggle q
as best they could, They had a sma
house, the only thing left from Il
wreck, with a large old fashioned ga
den in the rear, ! remember as a Be
how fond Amy was Of digging al
planting there; she could always mai
anything grow, and Fl occurred 10 l.
that she might raise flowers for Il