The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-03
VIOLET'S LOVERS.
CONTINUED,

Inb suppressed ClAAOhAOAg INV
.ASA'choked passion of his previous utter
ances, must have been the result OF her own
fevered imagination.
Still she did say, when he broke off,
"Then you are not angry with me for
speaking? would not like to vex Georges
FRIEND"
al could never be angry with you," re-
piled Nigel, in a smothered tone. What
ever happens, remember that, whatever L
appear to be hereafter"
And then he hurried her on abruptly,
= with unreasoning speed, to oVertake the
OTHER two.
Violet felt herself somehow unrerved by
what had passed. She made some excuse to
go 10 bed, and sat a long time by the WIN
dow of her room in the moonlight.
Looking at it all ways, how strange, how
very Strange. he had been that night. Had
she nnwittingly grieved or hurt him? She
could not bear To imagine such a thing.
And yet he had said distinctly that he was
not angry. that he never would be with her
1t was Wild Illogical, yet her heart throbbed
unnaturally at the idea. The mere posi-
bility Of his anger would have made her
miserable.
don't know how it was, but sitting there
in the white moonlight that Sunday night,
il came upon herewith q great rush, since
Nigel Joined them at Neale Bay, she her
sell had changed.
She shivered again, in spite Of the hot
summer night. She knew that the one man
she might lave loved with her whole heart
was hOpeiessly and utterly shut eff from
her; that even, supposng he, too, cared, he
was bound by the most sacred ties of honor
and friendship never to betray the fact.
1t was pOSslble@nay, prObable-that, dur
ing her future life as Georges wife, she
would be frequently thrown into contact
with him, would have to listen to the sound
of his voice, and never own that it was
sweet.
And she was bound-hopelessly irretriev-
ably bound. There were only a few more
weeks to run out and they would return to
town for the wedding.
Violets was not a very strong nature; she
shTank from anything like vigorous effort;
she would rather go on, painful and wrong
though it was, than resist her guardians,
Mrs. LandOn and George.
She wished vaguely that Nigel would 60
away, that her old self might return, and
that she could forget they had ever met.
The very same thought occurred to Nigel
himself. Would is not be better for him to
goawaYP Excuses came plentifully enough.
His parish alone afforded sufficient plea.
And yet, vision OF her face hoated back.
Was it, could it be necessary for him to go
if he chose TO stay? The pain was all his
OWE, and should be till the end.
She was Indifferent enough to him, for,
had she been otherwise, would she have
thus sought his advice? No, she thought
of him only as Georges friend.
And he decided to stay another week, at
least, so he kept his rooms and wrote to
make arrangements for his Sunday work.
Another week and then he would 90 back
to his work and forget this pleasant sum-
mer holiday.
Violet seemed little more reserved,
Nigel fancied, with them all. She had de-
veloped fancy for being alone, and often
started oft to sketch Immediately after
lunch by herself George acQuiesced in this
arrangement and Mrs. Landon only remon-
strated.
1t was wonderful how little in the way of
results Violet had to show for those long,
solitary hours. She used to sit on the rocks
with her cOlOr-box spread open, and the
paper stretched ready on her lap, gazing
at the sea in dreamy, Indifferent sort OF
way.
Every day. which was In itself so long,
was hurrying her nearer the end, and every
day made her life more difficult.
Once she thought of writing TO her favor
lite guardian, Colonel Tristan; but his regi-
ment was in India, and it would be three
weeks before the letter could reach, and
three more before she could hope TO re Give
an answer.
The other guardian, confirmed old bach
eloT-Who was anxious to rid himself of the
responsibility of the young girl-aided and
abetted tho marriage more than any one
else.
Poor Violet always ended by feeling
more hopeless and undecided than ever.
She dropped and tagged little-with the
beat, Mrs. Landon aYerred.
Il wish the weather would change" re-
marked Georges mother one night, as they
sat around the soft, lamp-lit table in the
window. 'It is quite unbearable."
The dusk had fallen, and Violet had not
yet returned. Her altered looks had been
the subject of conversation.
do you think she-She is 2" broke out
George Landon abruptly. turning almost
fercely on his mother. The languid little
woman drew herself together.
My dear boy, don't be $3.50 energetic.
There is nothing serious the matter, only
don't approve of these sketchng expedi-
tions."
George heaved smothered sigh of relief.
BY and by, as Violet still did not return,
Mrs. Landon grew uneasy.
Nigel, who had sauntered in to tea with
them. shared her apprehensions. A sort
Of foreboding fell upon them all.
He and George started off in search of the
truant, Nigel choosing the shore, while
George walked inland along q road Violet
frequently took.
The night was fast growing windy, and
great clouds rolled together in the west.
Nigel strobe on, reckless of the advancing
tide, his feet sinking deep in the sand at
every step.
He rounded one point after another until
he began to think Violet must have chosen
the other road After all it was only some
vague instinct which had guided him along
the shore.
One more point doomed ahead. He deter
mined to reach that and then, if he caught
no sight of her to turn back.
On he stumbled in the dusk. The head
land seemed very far away, much farther
than it looked.
He knew the stealthy waves were gain.
Ing on him fast He heard their low sob,
but still fastened on regardless.
AT last he turned the corner. There was
sheltered sandy cove, running deep into
the land between two arms of cliff, and
among the rocks stood Violet, apparently
Her pretty white dress lad been torn, and
she was pinning 1t up.
Nigel sprang to her side.
Make haste" he cried; don't stay to
gather up your"
And then he paused abruptly. 1t was too
late; the waves had already closed up the
way OF escape upon the side he had entered.
lie sprang across to the other edge.
Alas! 1t was even now shut in by the Creep
ing tide. Then he went back to where
Violet stood, startled, dazed but still un-
conscious.
His face was very white, and for the mo-
ment he could not speak.
What is the matter" she asked, inqulr-
ingly. " know L am late it seemed such
long way home. Did you come to look
for me, Mr.. Haywardq We will make
haste back"
Involuntarily Nigel took her hand.
" II is too late," he said. 1--WE cannot
get back"
mot get back p echoed Violet.
Nigel pointed toward the darkening sea.
The tide has como up. We cannot get
round the poiDt.'
DO you mean that we shall have to stay
here till-till it goes down again?" in
.Quired Violet with feeble laugh.
Nigel took hold of her other hand. This
was almost more than he could bear-to
have to tell her such cruel thing.
Dear" he said, and he had not courage
20 look at her as he spoke, 81 fear we shall
neither OF US ever go back again."
For moment there was perfect silence
tempestuous breaker than the rest broke
a. their feet Instinctiyely they both drew
back, and 1t seemed then as if she under.
stood.
do you mean we are going to die2" she
whispered, in a hushed, awe-struek voice
''y0u and here alone?"
They we're both holding hands still, and