Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1889-10-12


ment her daughters feyerishly excited
state of mind
Lie down in here, my child, said
she, soothingly, conducting Violet to
the cool sitting room and arranging the
pillows on the sofa. you are worn
and hysterical, and need rest"
Violet submitted, and after seeing
her comfortably established on the
lounge, Mrs. Gaylord returned to the
kitchen and her neglected jam, closing
the door softly behind her.
She had just resumed her study when
the gate clicked, there was sound of
quick, firm footsteps up the rcd brick
walk, and Roger Fame, pale and ex-
cited, stood beside her.
Mother, is Violet here?" he inquired
huskily.
"Why, Roger, what is the matter?"
queried the diplomatic old woman, as
she vigorously stirred her jam.
Then she is not here" groaned the
young man, sinking despondingly into
a chair Il have driven her from me
forever, and all through a piece of I'M
pardonable negligence"
Explain yourself, Roger" said Mrs.
Gaylord, gently. why has Violet left
her home?'
Roger turned his white face toward
her with a look of hopeless agony
stamped upon his hopeless features.
Il went home" he began, slowly, "in
time to take Violet to the afternoon
matinee; but finding the house appar-
emily deserted, [ wandered through the
rooms in quest of her What impulse
led me to the attic chamber | know
not, but when 1 opened the door a cold
chill struck upon my heart, for the lit
tie hair trunk stood open, with that ter
rible wooden casket lying on the top of
the other contents. | knew it had been
placed at the very bottom, and it
dawned upon me instantly that Violet
had been amusing herself in my alb
sence by exploring the attic, and com
ing upon the string of pearls, with its
accompanying note, had gathered
wrong impression from its contents and
left my roof forever"
Il do not comprehend you, Roger"
said Mrs. Gaylord, still stirring her
jam. What pearls and note do you
mean ?"
"Of course you do not know" an
swered the young man hastily. Il had
not even told Violet as yet, though [
had long been intending to do so. 1t is
an old story, mother My Uncle Roger,
for whom | was named, was engaged to
lovely girl Octavia WARREN, or the
Star of Silver Creek, as she was called
by her admirers.
This was twenty years ago, when
Roger Fayne was a young man of %.
He was the chosen lover of beautiful
Octavia, but he had one rival, dark,
princely looking German count-Sig-
mund by name, who had sworn to win
the Star from her betrothed if to do
so he periled his own soul
"One night there was to be a grand
ball-a masquerade but owing to a
business engagement my uncle could
not escort his lovely tiance, though
he intended to drop in later on in the
evening.
So OctaYia accepted Count Sigmund
as her escort, with the understanding
that Roger was to take her home when
the ball was over, She was to repre-
sent snow queen, and her lover said
to her. as he kissed her lips in farewell
the day before the masquerade:
4 Will send Won some jewels to COR
respond with your costume, darling;
but don't quite break Count Sigmund's
heart with your beauty, my beautiful
star.
Octavia laughed at him, although her
heart sunk strangely at his words, and
SO they parted.
The jewels came next day-a mag
nihcent rope Of pearls. And when ar
rayed in her ball dress, Octavia WARREN
was such a vision of loveIiness as is
rarely seen by mortal eyes
SO, at least, thought Count Sig
mund, and he haunted her through the
evening like shadow His costume
was that Of Mephistopheles, and Octa-
via shuddered and grew whittier than
ever when she met his passionate gaze
MY uncle came at midnight. but he
looked in vain among the gay dancers