Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-08-02
SWEET VIOLET.

-.
The girl addressed turned slowly.
and stood. with scornful, naughty face.
before her father.
1t was lovely face-or would have
been SD but for the hardness upon il,
and the curl of the red. perfect lips.
You are looking your best Come.
il is time to GO"
But Violet has not yet come down"
The slow, sweet voice had so much
GOODNESS in it that Giynn Raven look
ed again at his daughter. this time
with contraction of his straight, black
brows.
she is here" he said curtly, as
Violet fitted into the room. and paused
before him.
Such bright, winsome, saucy face
as was lifted To his in the lamplight!
Such pair of laughing. merry, un-
tamable ewes As met his own. with
mockery in their dancing depths,
On this Young. daring life. Glynn
Raven knew he would never ba able
To lay his iron hand in surety, aud it
CALLED him To the quick.
He might crush down the warm
heart~ami make barter of The youth of
Ina, with all her stately grace and inn
perlal beauty; but on this merry, sprite-
like elf, he felt that he would only lay
an elusive grasp.
Papa" she said. in the crisp, clear
tones that had never faitered before
his anger, nor trembled before his re-
buke. lis not Ina lovely? Will your
fasiidious friend, Grant Delois, be able
to find ilaw in her to-nignt? All. Eu-
gene Blanco will not. Will he be at
the ball. papa?"
His eyes flashed angrily. and he bit
his nervous lip.
I'VE are not going To \ gathering
of paupers!' he answered, hotly.
Come
Involuntarily Ina turned her proud
head as though To reply as hotiy To his
words. for the young man of whom her
father spoke was all the world To her
the lover from whom she knew her.
self parted. but TO whom she knew she
would be ever true.
\ fortuueless son of one whose name
had echoed through her country once,
with blessings following wherever it
was spoken; yet Glynn Raven had
stung him with sneering words and
laughed Mt his love for Ina as though
it were a folly.
Hush. dear" whispered Violet.
softly, as she folded a cloak over her
sisters robe of silverv white. then COW
cred her own snowy garments, and
took Ina's hand. Il wanted HIM to
say something that would wake you
up, and make You ready To defy him.
for"-she glanced over her shoulder
and saw that her father was not near
enough to hear-''for. my dearest, Eu-
gene Blanco will be there tonight.
and Hush! Come"
The slight fingers fiuttered in her
clasp as she led Ina from the room and
out to the carriage, into which their
father put them.
She could say no more. for the dark.
stern face. which neither of them had
ever loved. and Ina had feared all her
life, was before them; and they were
going to "A ball. given by Grant Delos.
in the handsome. stately home to- which
Glynn Raven WAS so anxious To see Ina
90 AS a bride, that he had of late made
life humiliation and a torture to the
girl.
The ball was going on when they ar
rived; but Mr.. Raven had seen that
they were not too late for the dance he
had heard Ina promise the host. vino
advanced and claimed it AS soon as he
saw them.
Violet had but time to whisper
word in her sisters car. before the lat
ter was led away.
Make him take you to the conserv-
atory after your dance"
Stately, lovely, but with almost sill
ent lips. Ina moved through the ig-
ures. The dance through. she loosed
the cluster of roses at her belt, and, as
they fell to the floor, set one siippered
foot upon them. rs though by accident.
"Ah," she said. softly, looking at
the crushed petals. Il have lost my
roses"
The young man stopped and gath
cred up the flowers. with a courteous
smile.
Permit me to keep these, and, if you
will, YOU may choose from any of
mine," he said.
She bent her head. but no smile came
to her lips-they were trying not to
quiver, as she remembered Violet's
words; but she took Grants arm and
allowed him to lead her to the con-
servatory.
In one of the dimly-lighted walks
they came face to face with Violet and
tall, fair man, whose blue eyes, as
they rested on Ina, glowed with such
light as 'never yet was seen on land
or sea-"
.Ina. dearest. Violet has told me
ALL" he said, as she placed her hands
in those he eagerly extended. Come
with ma have much to say to YOU"