Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-11-12

tl nE5. bdl ~, Iuo OaAl udu DSsoll 0i OWL
ed with gay summer visitor.
Violet had never passed 50 gay a
summer for the parties at the hall were
never quite complete without her. and
it scened almost a second home.
Hubert was with her constantly, and
the strange. sweet blossoms Of woman
hoods love hloomed III Violet's heart
She Was too happy, too Innocent, IN her
sweet, pure girllshness to see that
Hubert was beloved by another woman,
and too wrapped i'll her own dreams, to
study Ernest Daryl as he studied her,
or she might have discovered that he
loved her,
And SO that evenings talk, when
Ernest had called on her, came with a
strange shock to Violet but for all It's
sad forshadowings Of fate she scarcely
comprehended it. Only, as the days
and weeks slipped by, and Hubert new
CT came to call on her, she could not
shut out from her mind the face OF
| handsome Miss Bellairs, and the words
that Ernest had dropped concerning
her and Hubert
And then - sometimes - Violet re-
called Mr.. Daryl's words. Was it true
! that he would havc-that he could have
! had the power to accomplish her
+ happiness? Had she been foolishlv,
miserably unwise and overproud in
striving to conceal her hearts secret
until she should confess it for the
very tirst-at Hubert's woOing?
No, She could not, she would not
! take her love from another mans
hands!
From November to the latter part of
| Marcfl-such a short time to most NOR
tals-seemed an eternity to poor, proud
little Violet And then, one night,
Ernest Daryl came to call. Much and
/ often as she had told herself that she
hated him, she met him eagerly now.
As the girl walked with outstretched
hand toward him, Ernest noted how
changed she was since the summer be-
fore. Her cheeks had lost their deli
cious bloom, her eyes their sweet
naughty fire. He was glad. He had
not hurried his plans, and he felt sure
Of triumph at last.
"What a stranger you are.' Violet
said, with slight, shy dropping of her
eyes.
Did you expect to see me, after yol7
7sent me away
Il am afraid I was very rude that
Irlght, But you have forgiven me, Oh
YOU would not be here trihe ques
tioningly.
Il have forgiven, yes. | have nc
choice but to forgive you-though yor
persist III running my ife," he an
swered. in a soft, low way. 'Bnt
came here because Hubert sent me
otherwise l should not have the assur
ance to intrude He is to be married
ina fortnight to Miss Bellairs. It is t.
be very private wedding, because m,
mother is i'll.
And then
Violet, poor little dear SO softly
so gently, 50 caressingly
"Oh, Violet Proud little woman
You did care YOU do care l wisl
, Hubert knew how much-I am sur
he
'fNo. No. | am glad he does not. H
. must not know, What am | saving
There is nothing for him to know.
! Violet, going to where she leane
whhe and sick against the mantel, an
) gathering her gently In his arms, an
$ dropping his face softly against hers
If vou do not care-I do,I care. fo
YOU. | always have cared. since 70
. were a. little wee child. I am not
. man to act my love-like-some men
: but I care, and | never change Wi
: Won put your faith in me, and be II
wife. and prove to Hubert that vo
n never cared, even when be plume
i himself upon having won vour heal
| without the need Of suing for il:
& 1t was :, a..,, healing balm to /
h thus loved IN her hour of misery
IS WAS sore temptation to the girl I
hide her wounds.
: Yes: Will he your w.fe-in time
If YOU care to have ne
!, L care 70 have vou-loa, immed
d atelv. | cannot wait want 10 con
IS fort vou ! want to show Huber, til
ha hiss nat broken Your heart. nv lit
Is dove. Why not he married a: onces"
Y His pleadlngs prevailed. a. at a san
., moment they would not have don
!, The next weeks papers carried Il
n news lar ami vide that Viole, Rive
ID ~as Ernes. Daryl. wife. And q,
ne woman read j, with triumphant eye
er one man with whl.ened face.
IL Il was the day Of Huberts weidi.
- shen he first met his brothers wife.
i, Let De congratulate you. said V