Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-02-15

tuems UUOS ~ 1106 tn0 0x8S 030 returned
Ior the third time and bought up every
hing had for sale, including NUM-
Der OF mouse traps.
Manners If she could not spare me to
help in the other marquee, and after
looking at me anxiously, as though she
we're sending me into the lions den,
Mrs. Manners asked me to 90. But
The other ladies at our stall did not
ike it at all.
The other marquee looked like fairy
land. Lady Mills gave me a big
basket of flowers, and told me to walk
up and down and ask people to buy
hem. But did not like that; SO 1
stood in the corner with my basket.
antil the tall, fair man, who had
bought SO many things of me, came
up and gave me half o crown for one
little bud. And then Laurence found
me and never once left my side while
we were in the tent. He told ME
every body said was the prettiest
girl there, which was, of course, all
nonsense; but it was very nice to hear
him say so. When had sold all the
flowers, he whispered:
Now let us slip out, and we can
.alk."
So we tucked my basket under one
of the stalls, and went out of the tent
and away into q lane near the field;
and Laurence's face grew very anx-
ious and unhappy as asked him what
was the matter.
II shall have to go away. Violet"
said he, looking at me very intently.
"Go away! Why-why?" said I,
with tears rushing to my eyes. had
not expected any thing so dreadful as
that.
my mother has decided-has been
persuaded-that she must go away to
the Riviera to escape the wet season
we are threatened with, and shall
have to go with her."
"But you will come backP You will
soon come back, won't your"
II don't know. Idon't know what
may happen while am away. don't
know what the plots and plans may be
of the person who has caused me to be
sent away"
Laurencea Your mother-your SIS
ter?''
Laurence looked at me without an.
swering, in the same searching, intent
way as before, for a minute or two,
then he said:
"Listen, Violet. You are such an in.
nocent little thing that I don't know
how to tell you what must"
Icould not help looking rather fright
ened at this opening; and he stopped a
little while to comfort me before he
went on:
LAST night, when had left you and
got home, I found Mr. Rayner just
leaving the Hail. Invent straight to
the study to speak to my father There
is more sympathy between him and
me than between any of the rest of US.
I told him plainly of my love for You
and asked him to find some occupa-
ton for me, in an Office, or on farm,
or somewhere that might have home
to take you to before the year was out.
And the dear old dad said you had 8
| sweet face and he should like you for a
! daughter. But my mother rules him
with pretty tight hand, and she wants
me to marry some one with money. ]
told him was twenty-four and knew
my own mind and did not care what
to offend her, and then said: She
has just been to tell me some.
thing that may have a bearing
on the matter. 1t seems she has set
her heart on going to the Riviera, and
insists on you going with her. Now,
supposing stock farm for you while
you are away, you can step into it di.
rectly you come back-and you car
try your hand at farming for year OF
two, and keep it warm for Jack, who
wants to take to it, he says. When
you are living away from us, you will
be moro your own master, and your
mother will have to submit to youl
marrying whom you like. So don't
say a word to her, till you come back.
didn't much like this; but l couldn',
say No to my fathcr-he has been SC
| good to me-and 1 couldn't refuse to
go with my mother; nevertheless was
half mad, all the same. for | know
"Do youP Whop"
"Mr. Rayner. Haven't you noticed
how he has been steadily getting round
rules her as surely as she rules my
father? I wondered what he was do
ing it for; now I see."
''But I don't, Laurence. What
should he persuade her to 60 away
torp"
Laurence looked at me earnestly.
ITO get me away"
"To ct you awayp Why should he
He doesn't like me, Violet, and he
doesn't want me to have YOU"
''Oh, indeed, you are mistaken, Lau
renee! He has often praised you"
Eyes; that is his cunning. But tell
you he weuld stick at nothing to pre-
vent my marrying you." said he -ex
eitedly. He is bad man"
"Oh, Laurence, you shouldn't say
that! know him better than you do
and know that he is goodness and
kindness itself.''
"Violet, you are no wiser than 8
child. How can you see the way he
treats his wife, and yet call him goodp'
His wife, All, I know air about
that, hut must not tell you. Indeed
he is not cruel to her, as you think,
Laurence. know all about it; do
indeed"
"Well, then, since I must say it.
what do you think Of the way he treat.
h. Oh l. E