The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-06-16

"My jealousy Of this pretty young crea-
ture was causeless," she told herself.
"There has never been any love in her
heart for Robert Walters"
There was tap at the door just then,
and she fastened to open it. Mr.. Derwent
was standing there; and as he caught
Violet's eye, he held up note, asking,
"May I come in?"
She started up, and pushed her own
lounging chair nearer the fire, over which
she had been sitting, because the day was,
too et.apd chilly to allow of her usual out.
door exercises.
But Mr.. lerwcnt, with smile. rejectet
Si II, and yfnlly fescatcd her.
.ssi y not usurp your throne, my love.
3 T had rather stand and wait upon you-in
all things, willing slave, you sce."rt
: Violet blushed, and wished he would not
adopt such lover-like sstyle of-talking.
Had she not positively Assured him sue
should never marry and had BE, not ap-
peared to acqniesce in her rejection Of his
suit2" g,
She turned her attention to the note
which he had laid on her lap.
It is from Sir John Lcfroyc," she said,
rs she opened it; in answer to my request
to be permitted to remain here for another
week or two.'
"And which he refuses" Mr.. Derwcnt
Immediately observed.
Glow can you know that, before I have
read to- she demanded in some surprise.
because, my love, knou the man. Sir
John Lefroye exacts implicit obedience from
every one about him, and he will not COM
mence his term Of guardianship by permit
ting you to set his authority at nought.
1--WE shall see," Violet replied, rs she
unfolded the Baronet's epistle. can scarce
ly think that hc will be so discourtcous as
to refuse the first request I have ever made
of him.
In another minute, she grew crimson with
vexation and anger.
GLOW rude-how tyrannical ?" she ex.
claimed, as she passed the note to Mr.. Der
went. "He says blunt mo- To my wish,
without word in palliation Of his refusal.
! He has made arrangements, he says. for
leaving town directly, and his carriage will
be here the day after tomorrow for me and
my luggage. But I will not 60. If he
thinks to exact the same submission from
me as from his servants, he is in error. I
shall insist npon remaining here for the
the term I mentioned. IIo dare not Use
force for my removal"
Mr.. Derwent sighed. DE- -s..'.' .. '.
"My dearest Violet, were in your place,
I should act as independently as you are
doing. Yet bethink you, love, If 1t were
not wiser to yield at once. If we are hence
forth TO be strangers, Of what avail is it TO
make useless struggle, which does but
protract the pain of parting?"
"Nothing Sir John Lefroye may say or
do will teach me to forget the kindness I
have received from you and Sybil, or cease
to number you among my dearest friends
Violet answered earnestly.
Mr.. Derwent raised her hand to his lips.
"My sweet, affectionate ward, shall
never forget what you have just said. 1t
| shall be comfort to me when miles Of land
and sea divide u.s."
She looked at him inguiringly.
eyes, Violet" he added in an impressive
manner; "when you quit Derwcnt Lodge,
| shall also bid it adieu forever. I cannot
be content in England, knowing that nei-
ther Sybil nor I dare approach and try to
| console you. In a little while you will
succumb to the wiles that will be practised
to bring about the marriage on which Sir
John Lefroye does not attempt TO deny he
has set his heart. You will become the wife
| OF feruOu huDlSJj sSAut nh"""sS "sNs ~"
hno,c, you will be wretched."
Violet sank back in her chair, and hid
| her troubled face. When she looked up
again it was to say, "You must be deceiving
yourself. II, Sir John is aware OF the ter;
rible suspicious that rest on Aubrey's fame,
he can never seek to make me his kinsman's
BRIDE"
"IIe is aware of them" Mr.. Derwent an
swered. "It is the knowledge Of these
| that makes him impatient to win your con-
| sent. Vernon Aubrey, q poor man, with
small prospect Of enriching himself, Is
avoided and distrusted by all who know the
circumstances of Walters death; but YER
non Aubrey, the husband of wealthy
hcircss, would be received with open arms
by the tickle world, and the past buried IN
| oblivion. Do you think Sir John, with his
family pride, has not weighed all this !" .,,
+<s" Heaven help me? If the wealth WITH
which my too fond father endowed me Is to
be nv curse through life" said Violet, "as
soon as ain Of age. will spend it it build
ing and endowing aims houses and Schools;
and if any one seeks either my love or my
friendship, it shall be for my own sake, and
not to prey upon my good-nature and
selfshly squnnder my property"
A little incredulous shake of the head
accompanied Mr.. Derwent's reply.
Glove, you think you could be very stern
and determined; but you will never be
| different to what you are .now-one OF those
good and gentle women whom none can
help adoring, though all ore ready to teke
advantage Of the gentleness and generosity
they cannot emulate. All, Violet! although
YOU have disdained my suit, the time may
come when you will long for the prisence
and support of one who would have sheltered
you fro1f, every SORROW
ado not say that disdaincd you" falter-
| ed Violet.
| lie did not answer, but with profound
| SIGH bent over her, touched her forehead
with his lips, and left her.
When Nlillicent, who had discreetly re-
| treated to the other end Of the room during
this colloauy, came to know if her young
la.ly would dress for dinner, she was still sit
ting as he had left her. Violet could rouse
| herself for few minutes into nearly warm
protest against anything that displeased
| her, but she had not the energy to act for
herself that Sybil possessed. She was, as
Mr.. Derwcrt had truly characterized her,
! allowing clinging woman, and when her faith
in Vernon Aubrey was destroyed, she lost
her interest in life.
"Wil Won dress for dinner. Madam? ??
asked Millicant "The first bell rang ten
minutes ago."
Her lady uttered a languii Affirmative.
What farce it seemed to deck herself IN
bright co!ors, and flowers, and jewelry,
while her heart throbbed so uneasily below 4!
Yet it must be done, for appearance sake;
and she emerged from her chamber. looking
the prettier for the flush excitement had
lent her cheek, just as Sybil, composed and
self-possassed. as if she, too, were not con.
cealing load Of care, swept across the nan
to welcome some guests who dined with
| tknm that day.
Clad to escape from the wcarisome
routine of stiff dinner party. Violet did
not. when they rose from the table, accom-
oany the other ladies' to the drawing-room,
| but wrapped cloak around her and went
into the garden.
[ uu,o ,;n had oo,,o5 a oont1n breeze WAS