BLIND LOVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3596, 13 February 1923, Page 66

BLIND LOVE.

By

E. EARLE.

[Copyright.] She sat alone in her room looking out of tile window, but seeing nothing in the street below ; at length sne said in a slow, empnatic way : r love a man who does not love me. I, Eleanor Arnold, who have believed pride my besetting sin, love a man who gives me no tnought as one whom it is his duty to instruct.’’ Sne sat motionless till the lights appeared in the street, then rose with a sign, fit the gas, and began to arrange -er liair, stopping once to peer into the glass at her own reflection. ‘ 'Oh, you are not so bad,” she said to it, half smiling, “but back of you—l wonder if he really knew me would be care for what is back of you ? I’m afraid not. x)0, that’s not -the truth. I do believe, if he knew me, he would think I was worthy of his—well, his regard. Now, now I am only a girl with more money at her command than any one woman has the right to have, at least that’s the way he thinks of me. I wonder what kind of a girl he would be interested in, or rather is; every man is interested in some one. is sue calm and dignified or coquettish and gay : I hate myself to think I care. I nave said over and over I don’t care, I don’t care, but all the time I do. When he is in the room I not myself. lam conscious of each and everything I do or say as if it were someone else, while lie —- 1 wonder he would dare treat me with such indifference, no other man ever did. He never speaks to me except when he is compelled to in ouir business relations. I don t love him, I hate him, and if he knew he would not care which it reallv was.’ ’ bhe turned awav from the glass with a shrug of her shoulders, and, picking up her book from the floor, where she had dropped it an hour a m, went upstairs to the room where her invalid father lay—had lain for two years. “How are you this evening, dad?” she a^h ( ed > us she laid her cold hands on his. About as usual,’’ he answered. “VYhy, hasn t v red come? I’ve been looking for him all afternoon.” there came a slight flush to her face at the mention of the man’s name who had been occupying her thoughts so completely, as she answered : Probably he has been delayed in some way, or could not leave the street early ; in any case you will not have to wait lorn* now.’’ ° “No, I hope not. Just make the light a triile lower, please; perhaps I can doze; but have him shown up the moment he comes.” She did as she was bidden, then went down to the library, laid aside the novel which had led to her idle dreaming bv the window, and took up a book which she hoped might make her think to some purpose. Still she heard the bell when it rang a few minutes later, and recognising the ouick, firm tread of Mr Ford as he made his way to her father’s room. The sound of his voice as he spoke to the servant made her heart beat and her hand tremble, then with a- movement of impatience she resolutely set herself to the task of reading the printed page before her. Eleanor Arnold had led a strangely isolated life since her brothe’s death two years ago, followed by her father’s illness. ' She had seen no societv, had devoted herself to him and to the fulfilment of his ambition that she should become not only his heiress, but the wise administrator of the money that would be hers. She had found pleasure in the work, uncongenial as it at first had seemed. Taking .it up with the thought that she was going on with the life-worlc of that brother so dear to her, she grew to understand how great a responsibility was being placed in her hands. Then, when perhaps she was beginning to feel a little pride in the thought that she was more conscientious, more earnest than many Mr Is in her position would have been, she discovered that which made her mistrust all the motives, made her wonder where was the pride her brother uised laughingly to decry ; she found she was in love'with her father’s confidential man of business. Roger Ford, forced by lack of monev to give up the hope of fitting himself for a profession, had served his apnrenticeship in a broker’s office, where, having occasion to transact some business for'him. he met John Arnold, who took such a liking to him that he made him a liberal offer to enter his employ, and when obliged to «ive np all active interest in affairs transacted through him : at the same time entrusting to him the task of instructing his daughter in those details of the management of the estate which he thought it best for her to know. Roger Ford saw Eleanor everv dav, saw her and loved her so that he dared treat her only with the coldest courtesy, hardly dared to meet her clear, grev eyes lest she should read in his own that which he felt it would not onlv be presumptuous, but ingratitude to disclose. He went slowly down the stairs that evening, wondering how she would greet him, coldly and hautily, or with a quick flush and smile of welcome as she did sometimes when he took her unawares. She was reading when he entered the room, hurt put down her book and said in a brisk, matter-offact tone:

“I am ready for my report, Mr Ford,” and they talked business for a few minutes until he said : “I have a communication to make vour father, Miss Arnold, which 1 think vou first should know, as you will understand best when and how to impart it. This sounds like the introduction to a serious matter, but, I assure you, it is only so to n:e. When this deal of the Ferris property is through I shall be obliged to resign my posKSoii with your father.” “Resign? Why, Mr Ford, what do vou mean. Ton can’t.” “I fear I not only can but must.” “But what shall we do?” He smiled as he answered, hat shall I do, you mean. It will not be difficult to find many men fully competerJ to do all your father requires.’’ But he doesn’t want many men, and he wants you. If there is any cause of dissatisfaction it can he made right, 1 am sure yo « r have only to mention it.” Inere is only one reason for my going, and in that your father could not a change. ’ “And that is ?” Ihe tear that I should so far forget ad 1 owe him as to strive to win from ffim his greatest treasure.” There was silence in the room, and the man wondered how he had dared, stood h ,r ] a moment appalled at his temerity, and then turned to go when Eleanor asked. ii you knew that without striving you had won it, would you ask him for it?” y ou speak as if heaven were to be had ior the asking.” “I know not if heaven be, but mv father’s greatest treasure is.”