The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-06-09
'Endcal ! and how? Oh don't keep any

IL IL pctUcr ID knO" Inc WOrSG Cltlu 10 COIL
t:Hue to be so sclf-lccpiycd." 1890
Mr.. Derwcnt went to his desk and spro-
dnccd from it n letter, which he handed to
his ward. But she rejected it, ~
II cannot look at it; the letters swim. be.
fore my eyes. Please read it for me-,
It is hut few words, dear child, and
may bear u different interpretation. Sir
John commences with an allusion to the
stay which, by the terms Of your fathers
will, you are to make beneath his roof He
reminds ne that you must go to him next
month; and than asks, Are there any signs
Of an attachment Letwccn our pretty ward
and my kiasman Aubrey? Be sure to an
swcr this question before Violet comes to
me, as ask it that may take my measures
accordingly. | dare say You will understand
what mcln."
81 viii not 60 to Sir John Lefroyc's,"
cried Violet, passioratcly. 81 will not be
apassire instrument i'll the hands Of any
one, to lie made use Of just rs they will and
please
Mr. Derwcrt sighed, "AIy love, you can
not help yourself. Until you are OF age, you
arc bound to obey the trustees in whose
hands your money is vested. Unless, indeed,
you marry. Then 'hcy arc released from
their responsibilities, AID you arc at liberty,
as far as they arc concerned, to go where
you please
"But until that Or my majority occurs, I
am little better than L si.vc' she retortcd
81 cannot stay where [ choose, but must
come and go as l am bid. Ny dear father
little knew what he was dong when he
worded his will in this way Violet hurried
to q table as she said this, and snatchel up
pen. "I will write to Sir John, and beg
him to let me en- IN with you and Sybil.
can never be happy again; but, in the
society of such frien,:s as you are, 1 can,
perhaps, learn t. be resi. i.ncd."
Mr. Derwent laid his hand on hers. "Stop,
dearest Violet; it is useless writing. Sir
John will not grant your wish. lie is jealous
already of the aiGectionate regard you have
shown us, and has been heard to express
his resolve to break. off the connection as
much as lies in his power, as soon as
resprcts,' he went on, in tones Of wo1ndcd
feeling, &" l should care little for III, ,hy that
Sir John Lcfroyc might say or do But you
have won your way into my heart, Violet,
and both Sybil and [ shall feel the entire
loss Of your society dreatfuily."
She cIasped her hanls round his arm.
"Dear sir, III not have you think that fifty
Sir johns will separate Us. love you ard
Sybil too well to be 50 easily influenced.
Neither will be ut the mercy Of 50 arbitrary
q man.
She was now working herself into a state
of great agitation. al will not go ID Sir
Johns. lcu say that must; but surely
there is way Of escape. Dear Mr.. Der.
went, help me to stay with you-to stay
here, where alone can feel contcnt"l !"
He took both her hands in his. My dear,
there is but one way and t!,2t 1 dare not
propose, cvcn though L believe it would
rescue you from the pursuit OF these heart
less for;une-huu.crs, who hesitate at nothing
to secure their prize
"Thcre is way-you admit that!'' she
cried impaticntly. What is it:'
off could bring myself to do this" no
went on, musingly, "vou. Syb:l and I would
quit England directly. We would go to Italy
and take q villa on the banks Of some lovely
lake. With our looks, our music, our
gondola, and our rides along the mountain
passes in the freshness Of the early morn,
we would make life one long, delicious holi-
day"
Violet's eyes sparklcd. eyes, yes; in such
scenes might even learn to forget. Letlt
be so, dear sir Let us 60 at cncc."
"Impossible!" !" he answered, with another
sigh. "Were some years younger, or you
older, I should say, Violet, be my wife, and
let us realize the happiness 1 have been
imagining! As it is, L can only counsel
you to resign yourself to the inevitable, and
so to Sir John Lctroyes. He cannot be very
harsh with SO gentle q creature as you."
She did not seem to hear the latter part
Of his speech. The first sentence had been
too startling.
"Nour ar:ye, Mr.. Dcrwent your rife"
she ialtcrcd.
He drew his fingers caressingly over her
sunny hair. "uas the idea frightened you,
my love? Have you been so long accustomed
tolook upon me rs yourcllerly guardian, that
you cannot teach yourself to view me ina fair
cr light? might remind you that am still
young; that women rs youthful and bcautl-
ful as yourself have married even rs many
years their elders, and have never rcpcntcd
it. But will not. You would consider it
sacrifice, and will be silent. So that you
are happy, my dear girl am satisfied"
Violet wavercd between her un"onqucr-
able repugnance to the thought OF such a
marriage and her fear Of appearing un-
grateful to her guardian, to whom she was
greatly attached.
"Happy, am not" she said, at last, "and
never can be again; for will not attempt
to conceal from you that have loved Yer
non Aubrey dearly too dearly to be able to
forget him for another
Mr.. Derwent hastily interrupted her.
"Child, you must not, you cannot marry
that young man. 1t is your duty to root
out such thoughts without hesitation"
"I know it," she firmly replied, "Nor if
it was his deed that deprived Robert Walters
of his life, will he ever attempt to see me
again, of that feel sure. But even if he is
innocent, will not be forced into q marriage
with him, if it is artlully contrivcl and ar
ranged for me by a man who is evidently
careless whether it brings me misery or no.
l shall never marry now-of that | am per-
suldcd."
Nevcr! All, it is very kind of you to
say this dear Violet" Mr.. Derwent OBJ
served. "You arc anxious to make your re-
fusal as gentle as it can he. But do not
think that 1 blame you for rejecting my
offer. ought not to have made it; on"ht
not to have let the bright prospect of happy
hours, far away from this dull llnd, and of
bringing back your smiles, tempt me to
speak too openly of what might be if you
were willing to be mine. Poor child, l have
distressed YOU You did not know how
very little true affection you had for your
guardian till h. distressed you with his
monStrous proposal. You sec, my little
Violet, the bare notion Of spending the rest
Of your life with Sybil and l, has quite
shocked you"
Il am not Shocked cric,i Violet, c,rnest-
ly, "ncithcr WIS your proposal mon5tr rous.
lido full Justice to the generous confederation
for me that dictated il. | sy;.s taken by sur
prise. that was AL. And rs TO bcia :: fright
ened ut the idea OF living always with Sybil
AMI you, how could | be? Are you not the
dearest friends possess -
81 nope So H. answered. And it was Of
you-of the pleasure Of guarding you from
all further troub!cs-of con>olN% You under
the hittarneSs Of iinlin.r thnc.: .nu lrli.i:el