Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-06-18
49, So 50 81
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as did not like to venture two visiti
on the first day. Just then the door
opened. and Viola appeared.
A look of surprise flashed into hei
face-surprise, but not jispleasure. A
faint blush crossed her check, and these
signs told me should win her.
Now that my foot was inside the cita-
del. went to work flerceiy, impetuous-
iy, to gain my desire. The days that
followed are to me too sacred to be
described; but not many passed before
l knew that Viola's love was my own.
We went to the kindly spinster. who
was responsible for Viola's safety, and
told her the glad news. The old lady
dropped her knitting-needles, and look
ed bewildered.
"No, no, no" she cried. in Mortified
tones; you can not mean it,"
Viola's blush and my words showed
her we were In solemn earnest.
"Oh, dear! Oh. dear!" sighed Miss
Rossiter. What shall do? You have
only known each other week"
"A day would have been long enough
on my part" cried. looking rapturous-
|
ly at Viola.
"It is so sudden" continued Miss
Rossiter. 81 never dreamed of such a
thing. In old days matters were man
aged much more decorously. thought,
Mr.. Vane, you would be at least three
months in making her acquaintance.
oh, dear! am too much 10 pfane"
The old soul seemed SO distressed
that Viola ran over and kissed her.
"Oh! what will Eustace say? He will
blame me terribly. He Is SO master
ful. you know. Viola"
who is Eustace?" I asked. thought
that Viola's face grew thoughtful as
she heard the name.
"Mr. Grant. my guardian and good
friend" she said.
Then must see him. Where can I
find him?"
HE is away" said Miss Rossiter.
plaintively. "oh. am so much to
blame! / ought to have made all sorts
Of inquiries about you Mr.. vane."
Your friend can make them on his
return. When will that be?"
mo one knows. Tomorrow, per-
haps; next month, next year. One never
can say. oh. dear! Oh, dearr'
laughed and drew Viola away. We
were so happy tina, we forgot all about
Miss Rossiter's plaintive sighs. and
troubled nothing about viola's guardi-
an. did not even ask what manner Of
n man he was.
But two days afterward l knew. In
the evening called rs usual at Miss
Rossiter's. Viola heard my knock and
met me In the hall.
"Eustncc came back to-day. He Is
here" she said. joyfuily.
kissed her and followed her into
the room to make the acquaintance Of
her guardian. Although she called
him by his Christian name. l fully ex-
/ pected to find him n sober. middle-aged
man: but in the easy chair. lounging rs
II the place belonged to him. and talk
ing volubly to Miss RosJitcr. / saw n
strongly built. sun-burned man who
could be bu, few years my senior. He
rose rs entered. and Viola shyly intro
duced us.
He was tall-tailcr than I was. His
shoulders were broad: his limbs strong
and muscular. A man who. II not
handsome. would certainly be noticed
anywhere. The thought which sue
ceeded my astonishment Mt his unex-
pected appearance was. by what right
Is this man the guardian of the woman
l lover"
He gave me his hand: but not, I
fancied. cordially. He looked mo full
in the face, and knew he was trying
TO gather from my looks some
knowledge OF myself. Then suddenly
saw n surprised expression on his
face-saw the corners of his mouth
droop as in haif-suppressed scorn: and
from that moment my feelings toward
I him were those Of distrust and dis
like.
He stayed so late that / was the one
to make the first move. For once was
not sorry to leave Viola. The appear
ancc OF this man among us. the close
terms of intimacy upon which 1t was
clear he stood with Miss Rossi,cr and
Viola. cast kind of gloom upon me.
! chnfcd at the thought that my happi-
ness was In any way dependent upon
his favor. | grew moody and silent.
and for me the evening was dull one.
But not for my friends. This Grant
was evidently brilliant and clever
talker. He narrated. In an amusing
way. his experiences in some out-of-th
way Alpine village. in which. for some
reason which did not transpire. he
had been staying. Yet at times 1 fancied
that his merriment was forced, and
again and again I saw his keen eyes
turned on me with searching glance
which annoyed me beyond measure.
When at last | rose. he followed my
example. Viola, as was her custom. &c.
companied me to the door of the house
but this evening noticed. or fancied /
noticed. a certain reluctance and hesi.
tation In her manner. Eustace Grant
passed on In front OF us. He opened the
door and stood on the steps. linger.
ed for moment to bid Viola a las,
goodnight.
Presently Grant turned. as II impa.
tient at my delay. There was a lamr
exactly opposite the house, and the hal
was also illuminated. 1 could, there.
fore, see the mans face distinctly, ant
there was an indescribale look In hi,
eyes which told me the whole truth