Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-11-12

| Huc -rT
Yes, am sure /; and you, PhihpT''
Some purple yiolets still clustered at her
| breast.
al will take these" he said, .and when.
ever cease to love you now 1 will send them
to you aud Eve. you have seen the last Of
your cluster of purple viole.s."
All was light and splendor in the stately
home of Miss Westerton, and that lady her-
| self stood dressed in her boudoir for the
grand reception that would soon begin.
A tall, graceful woman Of twenty-six with
face of almost perfect beauty, from the
low. white brow to the daintily-rounded chin,
with great amber eyes, and bronze bright
hair, aud crimson, ourving lips.
She went over to desk and took from ii
TWO letters and faded bunch of flowers.
She opened one of the letters-the one
that bad been laid in her hand that morning.
"liss Westerton-Is il presumption to
ask you to give me your answer tonight p
Evelyn, cannot wait 1t is cruel to keep
me in suspense. You will listen to me to-
night. my darling? With hope,
PHILIP FENToN."
She smiled-a quiet little smile, and then
she opened the other, and it was the same
elegant hand, but the ink was faded, the pa
per yetioW with age.
The smile on her lips -deepened to one of
scorn as she read, for perhaps the thirtieth
time in her life, the few short lines
"Eve--When you read this what will you
say ? Simply, like me, that fate has come
between us-has been too strong for US
My father will not think of me wedding a
pardon me, Eve, the words are his-a name
less governess. l send you back the purple
yiolets, for the past is dead between Us.
.PHrLIP FENToN.'"
And now you know that fair, childish Eve,
who bade her lovers good>by at the quiet sea-
shore, and this fair proud heiress of the
Westerton wealth are one and the same.
1t had been sudden-the change in her
lie. a lonely governess for six weary
months, and then her adoption by MIR. Wes>
tertnn tor her strange likeness u some friend
he had loved in his youth.
He took her abroad for her health, he
said, but in reality to give her the polish of
foreign manners.
And when she came back she learned that
the old folks at the farm were dead. and that
Denzil had gone abroad.
Two years after Mr.. Westerton died, leav-
ing all his vast wealth to the child of his
adoption.
And the years passed on till girlsh Eve
was woman o. twenty six, SO rarely, sweet
ly fair, that men fell in love with her even
though knowing it hopeless. and women en-
We'd the beautiful face, tha. won all hearts
so easily.
In the reception par lor she received her
guests among fair women, the fairest haugh
ticst queenIiest Of all hy right of her royal
beauty.
In the shadow of one of the lace-draped
windows stood Philip Fenton. talking to
dark. noble-looking mana gentleman who
had come with some friends of Miss Wester-
ton.
He would scarcely be called handsome
man, yet there was some rare attraction in
his grave, dark eyes and thoughtful
smile.
Neither of the gentlemen noticed slen-
der figure, in silver-gray, that stood quietly
watching the dancers, in the shade of the
vine-wreathed column near them.
1T is a good thing to sec you again.
said Philip; and you como as you went,
heart>whole aud free 7"
"Free-yes, the other answered, grave
ly. "But surely, Philip, you remember l
loved Eve did rot go hcart>whole, but l
return as went. Had I dreamed that Eve
was not your wife, Philip, would have re-
turned years ago"
A laugh broke from fentOD lips.
No, thank goodness! To tell the truth,
Orme. l thought little Eve very winning -
I-I-excuse me; what meant to say was,
never till within this year have l known
what it was to love a woman. and now"
Il don't see," Dcnzil said, show any one,
once loving Eve, so fair, SO pure and true,
could ever love another. As for me. clus
ter of flowers she gave me-" Then, see>
ing the smile on Philips face: She was
very fond of purple violets, do you remem-
Der. Philip"
Philip laughed sgain.
why not go seek your early love, with
the sun.tanned face and downcass eyes p
Perhaps you might fud her"
Denzil Orme's face flushed apgrily.
BE careful, Philip" Then, changing.
eff could only find my lost darling-"
a sweet, clear voice interrupted them, and
a graceful woman, in eilken tissue, with gold
and amethyst bands encirrliug her round
throat and arms, and violets in her waving
hair, stood before them.
'Denzil, | sm here! Heaven has taken
care of me all these years. Oh, Denzil, did
not your heart whisper it was l z"
Philip grew deadly pale.
s.Miss Westerton Eve !"
Miss Westerton to you. but always Eve
TO you, Denzil," turning to Denzil again.
Six months later, when Miss Westertou
had changed her name to Orme, her husband
showed her bunch of faded purple
violets.
GROWING OLD.-It is the solemn thought
connected with middle life, that life's last
business is begun in earnest; and it is then,