The morning call., 1891-11-08
A STRANGE STORY
CHAPTER |.
TuF pFRFUME OF VIOLETS,


Snow everywhere. Out over the lowlands
| pure white mantle, covering the nils, save
where the wind had whirled into wreaths,
leaving dark brown patches clothing with
nvriads of sparkling crystals the lace-work
# black interlacing boughs Nevertheless,
.he $, enc was by no means dreary one,
Tor the sky was Blue, the sun, if not warm,
still golden, while the heathful north wind
brought brighter roses 10 the cheeks than
summer itself could have done.
Dou's Won think that winters
Fleasanter than all
The words were hummed in a soft, musi-
cal whisper, but they came from Florence
Maythrope's very heart as she skinned,
light and graceful as n swallow, over the
Rebound lake down by the plantation in
Ter grandfather esquire Maythrope $
grounds.
some dozen other young people of both
seyes. who, the last touches having been
given 10 the church decorations, had de-
voted the two hours before twilight 10
skating: for Tommy Thornbury - having
particular reasons for the assertion, not at
an founded on weather knowledge, but
rather on the bright eyes OF Ellie Wynn
had declared that it would be sure to thaw
before morning.
He and the said Ellie, the rector's daugh-
ter. had been performing wonderful eyolu-
tiopS on the ice, when the girl came gliding
across to Florence, too occupied by her own
happy thoughts to care for company.
Isn't this a glorious Christmas eve,
Flo?" she remarked. odd Susan Briggs
saws there hasn't been such a one for ten
wears. It's all in honor OF YOU and CAPITA ID
Darrell
a I'm glad the clerk of the weather is so
kindly disposed to u.s." laughed Florie, the
delicate color on her cheeks heightening-a
brighter light in her eyes.
ITS no wonder. You are, | think, the
most fortunate girl ont, dear First, you
are the Squire's heiresS, with not soul 10
share the honor; then you tall in love with
the right person, everybody gives consent.
and all g9ns As m'rrllY as marriage bell!
u confess, Eflie | ought to be grateful
for 30 much hap .lness, and Think hope
There was a gentle seriousness in the
voice-a shade in the brown eyes that
proved it.
captain Darrell arrives this evening""
" Yes, by the 4:50 train
Then us nearly due; so you will be get
ting back to the hail to receive him like a
devoted fiance. You'll consider me an enc
mv if | detain you. GoOd-by, Flo. \ merry
Christmas and happy New Year, though,
as that's certain, the wish Is much like send
ing Goals TO Newcastle"
Is ANYTHING certain in this world ,"
laughed FloTie, uueUing words, as We are apt
TO do, without considering them in her
heart.
Then. with a merry nod, the friends part
ed, never again 10 meet?
After that FiuTic Maythrope did not re-
main long on the lee. Her pulses had been
tAro5bing little lnpAtiently for Etfie to be
gone she having caught the whistle Of the
incoming tram. which she hoped brought
Captain Darrell. as 1t rushed round the bend
Il the mia. She shated 10 4 distant part of
tile lake among the le6deSs willows I'M
bucEiej her skates and Carryi ing them in her
Land, passed swiftly and unperceived into
tie plantation, path through which led 10
q >uall private gate giving on TO the road
What IS sweeter Than the sweet Impotence
Of love? Flurie vas impatient to make sure
that Captain Darrell had arrived. ami from
tie gate she knew she could see the station
H0t. 4 Uie distant and the carriage thar
was 10 bring her lover to the hall lust be-
fore it would disappear round the base Of
the hill.
This had been Captain Darrell's last yoy-
aye. She was no longer u lie awake OF
stormy nights trembling for him-nO longer
To shutdeT with dreaT heaTt-SIckqeSS when
size heard OF flundered vessels, wrecks and
ships mysteTlOu>lY lost at sea. Early in the
new year they were TO be married, then
neyer--ueyer again to part; while what
merry Christmas the Squire. who adOrad
ner. bis only sons child, as though she had
iieen his own, intended this to be. Boxing
Gay was 10 be a fete indeed.
How delightful If this weather con-
t.Uu-," reflected Flotie, a., opening the
cate, size stepped into the road. "Oh. kind
Luna, addressing the moon Just rising, IF
y0u have any influence, as some people be-
.eye with the clerk Of the weather, do
pa a word for me-"
Then she bent her eyes on the station,
FIR the thud Of the train was close at hand
Through the twilight she could see it wi th
It's two feeble little oiI-lamps and the car
rage waiting on the stretch OF road in
fIout. Now there was a whistle-a rush-a
stiGess-then a rush again. The train had
cHma in and once more started; yet the car
rage remained stationary. No. It moved
only T. little inn, though; then the station
lamps were put out. No train now until
9.33. Had not Captain Darrell Gomez
>cE with disappointment, Florie leaned
against the gate. What could it mean? He
lad promised so surely to come. He had
never broken his word TO her yet. Flore
couldn't quite make up her mind TO return
to the hall yet, but leaned against the gate
her eyes on the carriage, the coachman of
which she saw was drinking with the land
lord outside the inn.
when viii not those men drink ?" She
thought impatient'y. why doesn't he re-
turn and tell US Robert hasn't Gomez"
Abruptly she turned her head. There
was the sound Of 4 quick. light step coming
up tile road, accompanied by clear voice
sipgng with much vigor, though not quite
u tune
Three times round vent our gallant ship.
The singer was young man of about
eight and twenty, with tall, square-shouI-
drreG figure, a handsome bronzed face. blue
eyes and thick waving fair hair.
1T is he, He has comet thought he
would not break his promise on this dav ~
mentally calculated Florie, the roses once
more in her cheek, and resting against the
gate now from a revulsion of feeling How
handsome how happy he l0okS.' Should
she wait for him, or escape into the planta-
Ton? What excuse could she give for being
there? Could she get to the hall before
him?
Those who hesitate are lost. they saw.
Flores mind was but half made UP. Her
hand was only on the latch when the op-
portunity for flight was gone. Her own
name arrested her.
"FIU-my dear Flo!'
Captain Darrell had seen her Not a
minute after he was by her side, his arms
around her, and-the road was almost a
private one, while it was dark it must be re-
nenbered-he was stealing kiss from the
lips Of his beloved.
This is kind! This is like your own
dear self; and no better is there in the
world" he exclaimed, and she saw the love
shine in his eyes, despite the falling dark
ness. OF course you came to meet me ?
on knew how impatient l should be to see
you?" he added, gazing down at her.
" fancy l was impatient, too, Robert. u
she laughed, all thought Of excuse gone out
of her head; but | fancied you would
come in tie carriage"
What, Flo! just for a distance that now
adays Is hardly more than a quarterback
waik?" he responded, gayly. Not |; |
gave Jackson something to drink merry
Christmas, and used my legs In lieu of the
horses, intending to make a short cut by
this path" for they had entered the planta.
ton. 81 did not expect to see you though.
darling. but everything seems to have gone
well this year. AS to the next Eve M
doubt that. Sir Morton, the pater, has sent
no end OF pretty speeches; but his presents
he'll allow none to give but himself. He
comes three days before our we iding."
They were standing in the path with the
shadows of the winter evening around
them, when the girl gave a sudden start and
looked quickly around.
What is it, Flop" he asked ANYBODY
eavesdropping?
NO. it is nothing; that is, but fancy
she responded, merrily. THE air to me
appeared full of the perfume of vioIets."
Niolets at this season." he smiled.