The Sunday herald., 1886-09-05
WHICH SHALL WIN Z

girl, anu HtFt. Sne uau lOSI uer parents
many years ago, and the various friends with
whom she passed her time were accustomed
TO regard her as somewhat of a "haudful;"
nevertheless, they anticipated her visits with
the keenest pleasure, AMI were willing
enough to bear the responsibility Of looking
after her, for the sake Of enjoying her 80.
ciety.
She was a very fascinating young person,
small, and most dslicately made, with dainty
hands and feet, aud a little round waist ust
reaching tho right size for the rest Of her
figure. Yet, IN spite of these good points,
Violet's face was undeniably tue best part OF
her, for there could he read rs plainly as the
opeu leaves nf q book the s'ory Of her sweet.
sunny, lovable nature. Yet We have Just
condemned her as firt. Well, girl may
bsthat, aud not wholly rsprobate, as some
sour tempered, ill-favored, aud, In most
cases, "disappointed" representatives of the
weaker sex would so willingly designate her.
Besides, with Violet flirting was even less
blsmable than with many others, because
she did II In such inuooency, and so entirely
without any arriere pensee In the matter.
Sue was young, she was beautiful, she was
rich, and she acoapted all the attention
which fell to her lot accordingly, as natu-
rally as \ queen b.e receives the homage OF
her faithful subjects.
Aud yet, though women are so pIoverbi.
ally vain, there comes time in every true
woman's lifs when she learns to care more
for single token Of regard from one indi-
viiual than for fifty such from other ad-
mirers.
Violet Danvars, when she arrived at Ok
ford on the Miuha.lmas Term Of 1SS-, had
not yet limited herself to the favored one.
But she was deridsdly tending that way, for
she no longer felt tbs slightest interest in
the undergraduates racs Of IN lnkind, whereas
she entertained tha very strongest regard for
the two sons of her host-the head of st.
S.ephsn's College. The puzzle was, which
s,n 10 choose. She had every reason TO he
li.v- them both to be- willing slaves. In
deed, II was obviously au open and well un-
derstOOd contest between the two brothers;
aud they we're each 30 attractive in their
widely different stages. that, considering
Violet was young woman with liking for
everything which Is worth having, from
lovers down to strawberries and cream, II
was no wonder she hesitated In making her
fual decision.
Cecil, the elder son of Dir. aud Mrs. Ham
ilion, was rather above tho middle height,
slightly built, with physique which told OF
his indoor tastes and studious habits-an i'm
preston which was confirmed by single
glance at his delicate, finely cut features.
His eyes were large, soft and dark, and the
long dark hair falling over his forehead COM
pleted Ills faultless representation of the
msthstio genus Of modern England. His pas
sion was music, and he had so long and faith
fully wooed the art that his friends had be-
gun to believe she was always to remain his
Ouly mistress. But the truest devotee is yet
human, AMI when a young and beautiful
woman comes across his path he Is just AZ
n Ga rv
run Of mankind.
Now, Dick Hamilton thank Heavenl as
hO often said to himself-was q very Ordi-
nary young fellow. He only happened to
bs fine specimen Of a style of man which
has done vast deal more than II ever
troubles to recollect for the English nation.
Very tall, he was powerfully and splendidly
built, active, athletic, perfectly healthy in
MUD and body, with frank aud open
Oountenance, and a CHEEKY, ringing voice,
which had made him one of the prime favor
ties, not only in his own college, but in the
whole university. OF brains he had just
enough to enable him to take his degree,
due time being. Of course, allowed for the
process; but then other and more important
matters than book work absorbed his at
tsntion. Hs was president of the o. U. b.
c.. he rowei in his college races as we'll as
in the Varsity eight and at Henley regatta;
he was member of a very popular club In
the university; and, in fact, took such q
prominent part In the sport and amusements
Of the place that his young admirers were
apt to say:
"Oxford may as we'll shut up shop when
the Babe (ths name by which lie was famil
iarly known) goes downi"
Aud he had fallen In love with Viole
Danversi
But to return to the visit which the said
young lady paid in November, and whicl
both brothers decided must be the finish o
the race they were running.
Cecil decidedly gained the first point b,
being dissngagsd on the afternoon of he
arrival, and able to meet her at the railway
station and escort her back TO college
Dick was obliged to be down at the river
looking after the freshman's college re-
gatta, aud Ceoil had matters entirely hi
own way.
at ia really pleasant Of you to have de
cidsd ON coming down TO us just now," liz
said In his soft lauguid voice, as he sat b,
her side in his mothers sdrawing-room, Will
together they slipped Indian tea aud nib
bled daintily rolled up waters OF bread an
butter.
"Why Just now p Violet asked.
"Bscauss hope you will consent to b'
one OF the audience at my musical exercise
next week."
~ cannot promise until you explain to IN
what you mean by musical exercise
which 10 the ordinary mind has painfu
sav0r Of school room pianos AMI compulsor
practicing."
at Is the performance OF an origlna
oantata called Death aud his Bride, who
have written for the degree OF Mu'
Doc., ani shall conduct in the Sheldonia
Theatre"
"You have really written II yourself
Oh l aul 80 glad, because it's 80 interest
ing to know authors and composers and a
those sort of people,"
"Your presence in the theatre will hel
me, am surs,' said Cecil, in still lowe
tones; "for the strain Of the undertaking
almost more than can bear. know tn,
my music will not be understood. To pei
form II to an ordinary mixed audience
worse than sstting pearls before swine.
they applaud at all, It will bs in the wron
place, or they may clap the mere beauty I
the voices, or the technical skill Of the II
strumentalists. But the meaning, tho 30,
of the work, that which. coming from M
has taken with II a part OF my very life,
hid from their eyes You will understan
II, Miss Danvsrs; you will reckon the pri'
have paid for this, the first original cres
ton oil my braln.
Violet hardly knew how to answer th
rhapsody, but shs was under thu spell OF Ia
dark eyes and pathetic pleading, as with
sigh almost as sad AZ his own sbe said:
~ will do what l can for you; win he
you when aud where can"
At that moment the door opened and Di'
Hamilton came in, seeming to bring vii
him breath of fresh air into the heate
sweet so. lted atmosphere of the room. |
greeted Violet with genuine pleasure.
"Well, now, do think it's awfully 500
of you to come down to us at such beast
time Of the year as this Though da
say it's not much worse In oxford than an
where else. DO you know you have got
most frlghtfully hot In here, mother 7"
'We do not feel il, my boy" said MI
Hamilton. She was mixture of both Il
sons, and loved them quite impartialIy, b