The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-11-02
For a moment the four stood talking

For a moment the four stood talking
there By some stratsgem on the part
of the enemy-how. Mr.. Lawrence
never could defne-the violet had left
his side. was shedding her perfume up
on other senses. her music upon dull
ears, and in her place was this tall,
queenly rose--very fair, no doubt. very
beautiful, but beauty which failed to
touch his heart What rose, indeed,
can dissipate the fragrance of the
violet.
Once more Will Lawrence sat alone
in his luxurious apartments, monarch
of all he surveyed, but they seemed
bare, and empty. and unsatisfying.
What had wrought the change A
problem he could as little solve IS the
fascination which, as day followed day,
drew him to Florence Fernley's door,
and led him to her presence.
He did not pause to think or reason,
until, one evening. the violet eyes
flashed for q moment their unconscious
secret into his-the secret which
had betrayed their owner-the secret
which thrilled bis heart for one mom-
ent with a mad JOY ere be closed it to
donbt and uncertainty
He knew now that he loved Florence
Fernley -hc believed she loved him.
What then. was the gulf that separated
them! Once before he had hugged
the same fond delusion, until, scorpion
like. it turned and stung him.
So plunging into the vortex of soci-
ETY., he tried again forgetfulness, and
sought to Danish from memory the
haunting look of the violet eyes.
What had Bert Reynolds advice
meant
Since that day he had made the dis
covery that Miss Maynard, the wearer
of the pink bonnet, was alread, affi-
anced.
Had Bert wished to bring about
denouement of pistols and coffee, in
bringing him upon the field |! It was
fortunate. perhaps. he had found the
temptation 80 easily resisted.
All, would that, that other bad prov
cd the same!
He had not seen Florence Fernley
for days, when, one afternoon, saunter-
ing towards his rooms. thu odor of
violets was waited on the air, and
turning. he saw in florists window
great bunch, freshly gathered, seeming
lv still wet with dew.
He paused; d;hesitated. then entered and
purchased them; and, laden with their
fragrance, few moments later was de
manding admittance at Miss Fernlev's
door
She IVES already sitting in the room
into which the servant ushered him,
and rose, so startled at his unexpected
entrance that she had not time to
brush away the tears which hung on
the dal ky fringed lashes,
An houl before. Will Lawrence had
thought himself hard. and cynical, and
cold; but something in the color which
flushed the girls fair cheek, and the
tear trembling in the balance, washed
it all away, as he stepped forward and
put the flowers in her hand-the hand
no still held-as he spoke in . voice
hoarse with emotion.
Child, he said, these simple flowers
seem yours by right, as though you
were pure and lovely as they. Listen,
Florence. while I tell you a story.
Once, years ago, when you were little
girl, loved woman outwardly as
fair as you. l will not tell you all the
story. Enough that within che was as
false as outwa-dly she was fair; that
her smile deceived, her eye betrayed
Il -
again to expose myself to temptation.
or permit it to overtaks me. Then
saw you, liked you. loved you, and in
vain struggled to forget you. Lsok
you into my eyes, then, my darling, aud
tell me if there is not one page in your
life l may not read, one stain on your
pure young soul; if to my arms you
will come. to accept their shelter. and
she'd the pure fragrance of your love
over a life which would be barren,
indeed my own, without you!'
For moment one glad sob rose in
the girls throat; then, with happy
light dancing IN her eyes an arch glance.
she said:
L have one secret. Must tell it =
The mans face colored.
Would you keep it from me little
one?'
i do not quite understand it myself.
she answered. Yet it has something
to do with the first day that I saw
you. l was all dressed for Mrs.
Reynolds, reception, when received q
note from her: BE sure to wear .
piak bonnet. By it your. Fate is to
know you The hat I had on was
pink. and I. IN pique, instantly chang.
ed it for . blue one. When Mr..
Reynolds carried me off. leaving you
with Miss Maynard. he laughiugly
told me Of his plot. which l promised
not to divulge, though even then, /
began to feel jealous of the pink bon
nets owner; but forgot plot and every
thing else afterwards, until -you began
to neglect me and IL found ! had no
pride and I could not help thinking
of and longing for you, until you came
in so suddenly and
Gathered the violet which had
bloomed for me, my very own forever
more.
Let the bonnet be pink or blue,
The face within is all we view,
1t is the picture. not the frame,
When we are players, Love the
game