Fergus County Argus

LOVE IS BLIND.

Feathery palm trees, banks of flowers, softly-hued fairy lamps and delicious strains of ever-changing music, all these go to make up enchantment!

So, at least, thought Lord Ronald d'Esterre.

He had but just returned from a two years' sojourn in the heart of Africa, a sojourn filled with dangers and privations: his years numbered but five-and-twenty, he was possessed of a well-knit, springy frame and a keen, clear eye: and he had come back from his travels with fame, courage and endurance, but without a penny that he could call his own.

What was next to be done? This was the problem that filled all his spare thoughts. His elder brother had fitted him out for his expedition with the polite intimation that the act was a virtual washing of his hands of the superfluous cadet: his aunts had kissed him so warmly at parting that he was amazed to find them "not at home" when he returned to London: his godfather had given him a twenty pound note and such a hearty farewell, that it was bewildering to be cut by him when they met once more in the club smoking-room. "It really seems as if they wish I had never come back!" said the young man to himself, with a smile at the incredible idea; but as time passed on his smiles died away, and he ground his teeth savagely as he realized that his relations had thought it a good investment to lay out £500 and an infinity of farewell in the hope of getting quit of a troublesome incumbrance.

The thought was a bitter one, and in his first fury he vowed to leave his native shores by the next ship, and never return to them again. But upon the heat of his passion there fell a cooling breath, as if from heaven itself, and the lion was straightway changed into a lamb. Lord Ronald d'Esterre had been accustomed so long to be looked upon as a "detrimental" that at first he scarcely dared to show the attraction that lay for him in Violet Harvey's appealing gray eyes and soft, shining hair. To his amazement, however, he found that obstacles melted away miraculously at his approach. Violet herself was shy and retiring, it is true, but her mother smiled sweetly upon him and her father shook him warmly by the hand.

Was ever man so blessed before?

"True love does run smooth sometimes, after all!" he said to himself on this bright June evening, as he walked homeward after a meeting with Mrs. Harvey in the park.

"Shall you be at Lady Chesterford's party to-night?" she had said. "Violet and I are going, and we shall be disappointed if we do not see you."

His honest face had glowed with delight as she spoke, and he seemed to be treading on air as he walked away.

"Even Aunt Maria has taken me back into favor again," he thought; "she was horribly cross when I first came home, but now she is sugared satin whenever I come near her. I dare say it was all my fault, though. I know that I was an ill-conditioned brute until Violet came to soften me!"

Lady Maria's flowered headdress was the first object that met Lord Ronald's eyes when he entered his hostess crowded drawing-rooms that evening, and somewhat to his surprise it was in close proximity to Mrs. Harvey's frizzled grey head.

"I should not have thought that Aunt Maria would have anything to do with her," he reflected. "She always says she can detect the faintest tincture of trade and she must know perfectly well that Mr. Harvey made his money in malt."

At this very moment, however, he caught sight of Violet, and forgetting all else, he elbowed his way eagerly through the crowd, until he reached her side.

It might have been only fancy, but at any rate it seemed to him that her welcome was a warmer one than she had ever given him before, and his heart beat faster as he bent over her.

"Will you not come into the conservatory?" he said, pleadingly; "it is so hot here."

She rose without a word, and they walked away together.

"Do you know that it is only six weeks since I first saw you?" he said. "I can hardly believe it myself, for it seems as if I had known you all my life."

He had an idea even as he spoke that he had seen the remark in almost every love story that he had ever read, but he could not refrain from uttering it, for it seemed so exact an expression of his feelings. Violet, too, had probably heard it before, but from Ronald's lips it sounded absolutely new, and her long eyelashes drooped lower upon her cheek as she listened.

They were walking between banks of flower and fern, and the silence between them was too sweet to be broken at once: but Ronald knew that their solitude might be disturbed at any moment, and rousing himself from his dream he had just opened his lips to speak, when a voice from some hidden speaker came plainly to their ears.

"It is almost certain to come off to-night. I got him an invitation on purpose."

Ronald started: it was Lady Maria's voice, but he had not the remotest idea to what she was alluding. In another moment, however, she received her answer and it was Violet's turn to start, for it came in her mother's accents:

"We shall be only too grateful to you if it does come off, for her papa and I have always set our hearts on her marrying a lord. The very minute that Violet tells me he has proposed, the check shall be sent to you."

Ronald drew back a step, his cheek growing pale beneath its bronze: his hands clenched involuntarily, and for a moment Violet expected to see him dash out upon the conspirators; but their voices were already receding in the distance, and as he looked around he saw the anguish in her face.

"Violet, Violet!" he cried, seizing her hands in his, "you know nothing of this! I swear it with my dying breath!"

She drew her hands away, and turned to escape, but he followed her.

"I have not much to offer," he said, "but all I have is at your feet."

She quickly looked up, and a light of gratitude came into her eyes.

"How good you are!" she said.

Ronald looked at her in bewilderment: the words were not what he had expected.

"You do not understand," he said. "I want you to be my wife."

"I do understand," she answered, gently. "and I honor you for asking me after what has happened: but I will not take advantage of your generosity."

"It is not generosity," cried Ronald, "it is sheer selfishness!"

But Violet showed no signs of yielding.

"I will not leave you unless you tell me one thing," said Ronald. "If your heart is free, I claim it; but if not, I will never trouble you again. Violet, tell me, do you love anyone?"

She looked at him with a face that grew pale under his gaze.

"Yes," she said, "I do."

"That is enough," said Ronald, hoarsely, and dropping her hand he turned and went.