The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-06-25

take advantage OF your generosity.
ut is not generosity, cried Ronald
"It is sheer selfishness"
But Violet showed no signs of yield.
ing.
'T will not leave you unless you tell
me one thing" said Ronald eff your
heart is free, claim IL; but if not,
will never trouble you again. Violet,
tell me. do you love any one?'
She looked at him with face that
grew pale under his gaze.
eyes" she said, "I do"
"That is enough" said Ronald
hoarsely, and dropping her hand he
turned and went.
1T is strange how ungrateful young
people arel" remarked Lady Maria, o
few days later, to the friends gathered
around her tea table, II had arranged
most suitable match for my nephew,
really done everything in my power to
promote 1t; and yet he actually came
here the other day and used the most
terrible language-said that had spoil
ed his life, and all kinds Of dreadful
things and now he has gone off abroad,
nobody knows where. am sure l only
hope that shall never see him again. I"
Lady Maria's wish seemed likely to
be fulfilled, for five long years came and
went, bringing no news Of Ronald and
though five years could not take the
bloom from her cheek, nor the gold from
her hair, they could, and did add very
materially to the infrmities of her
frame. But when at last he did reap.
pear she was willing to overlook the
past in spite Of her resentment, for Ron
aid had found his way into a profitable
foreign partnership, and instead Of fame
he brought back money.
"One of the best things I ever did for
you was getting you out of that entan-
glement" she exclaimed fervently when
they met, for Lady Maria came Of mill
tary stock, and she knew that one Of the
most successful maueuvers is to carry
the war into your ensmy's quarters
Ronald shot glance at her from un-
der his dark eyebrows, but said nothing,
and she continued gayly:
"Mr. Harvey went bankrupt year
or two after you went away, and they
are quite in poor circumstances now.
That upstart girl waits upon the dodgers,
l believe"
"You don't say so!'' remarked Rom
aid. ''Where are they living?"
In Worthing, said Lady Maria, de-
ceived by his GOODNESS. Lady Henning-
ton was there last month, and she told
me that she saw Mrs. Harvey on the
Parade, and that the woman actually
had the audacity to speak to heri Can
you believe it?"
"I don't know" said Ronald; "but l
am going to Worthing this afternoon,
and 1 shall see whether she will speak
to meP'
"Oh, my dear boyr' cried Lady Maria
in genuine distress. pray, pray don't
do anything so foolish! You have no
idea how designing poor people are"-
but she ceased, for the sound Of the
loudly closing door informed her that
she was alone.
"But why did you send me away?"
said Ronald few hours later as he and
Violet stood together under the stars
and heard the waves beating upon the
beach.
Because l thought after what we
overheard you felt yourself bound to say
what you did out Of consideration for
me-"
$50 your pride came in the way, my
little onel Don't you know that pride is
one of the deadly sins? However,
can't preach to you now because 1 want
to ask you another question. If you
really have loved me all along, why did
you tell such dreadful lie?"
"a liep' exclaimed Violet
eyes. A lie. A regular big, black
one When asked you if you had loved
any one, you said yes. Now then, con,
fess at once, because I'm not going tc
let you off"
He held her away from him so that
he could look into her face and waited
inexorably for her answer.
"I saw that you would not listen tC
any other objection" she said, "and
thought that you were sacrificing your
self, and so''-
"Yes, I know all that, he interrupt
ed, "but you had no business to say
really was some one. Come now, tel
me-"
A flush came over her face, and al
she raised her eyes he could see her tear
shining in the starlight. He graspec
her hands more firmly in his now anC
looked down at her from the height o
his 6 feet.
She tried to speak, but her quiverinl
voice would not be controlled, and will
great wave of love surging up in hi
heart he drew her close to him.
"Who was it2" he whispered.
She turned to hide her face upon hi
shoulder and breathed her answer int
his ear bent down to catch it.
"You dear, blind boy, it was you'll
Household Words.
Wage Farmers as Wives.