The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-06-17

"
weeks since I first saw your" he said.
81 can hardly believe it myself, for it
seems as if had known you all my
life"
He had an idea even as he spoke that
he had seen the remark in almost every
love story that he had ever read, but he
could not refrain from uttering it, for it
seemed SO exact an expression of his
feelings. Violet, too, had probably
heard it before, but from Ronald's lips
it sounded absolutely new, and her long
eyelashes dropped lower upon her cheek
as she listened.
They were walking between banks of
flower and fern, and the silence between
them was too sweet to be broken at
once; but Ronald knew that their soli-
tude might be disturbed at any moment,
and rousing himself from his dream
he had just opened his lips to speak,
when a voice from some hidden speaker
came plainly to their ears.
''It is almost certain tc come off to-
night. 1 got him an invitation on pur-
pose."
Ronald started; it was Lady Maria's
voice, but he had not the remotest idea
to what she was abiding. In another
moment, however, she received her an
swer and it was Violet's turn to start,
for it came in her mothers accents:
'We shall be only too grateful to you
if it does come off, for her papa and I
have always set our hearts on her mar
rying lord. The very minute that
Violet tells me he has proposed, the
check shall be sent to YOU"
Ronald drew back step, his cheel.
growing pale beneath it's bronze; his
hands clenched involuntarily, and for
moment Violet expected to see him dash
out upon the conspirators; but their
voices were already receding in the dis
lance, and as he looked around he saw
the anguish in her face.
"Violet, Violet" he cried, selling her
hands in his, "you know nothing Of
this! Iswear it with my dying BREATH"
She drew her hands away, and turned
to escape, but he followed her.
81 have not much to OFFER" he said,
'but all have is at your feet"
She quickly looked up, and light of
gratitude came into her eyes.
''How good you are" she said.
Ronald looked at her in bewilderment:
the words were not what he had ex
pected.
'You do not understand" he said.
81 want you to be my wife,"
81 do understand" she answered,
gently, land honor you for asking me,
after what has happened; but I will not
take advantage of your generosity"
cit is not generosity" cried Ronald,
sit is sheer selfishness!"
But Violet showed no signs of yield
ing.
II will not leave you unless you tell
me one thing" said Ronald. eff your
heart is free, claim it; but if not, 1 will
never trouble you again. Violet, tell
me, do you love anyone?"
She looked at him with face that
grew pale under his gaze.
eyes," she said, 81 do"
"That is enough" said Ronald, hoarse-
ly, and dropping her hand he turned
and went.
cit is strange how ungrateful young
people are!" remarked Lady Maria,
few days later, to the friends gathered
around her tea table. 81 had arranged
most suitable match for my nephew,
really done everything in my power to
promote it; and yet he actually came
here the other day and used the most
terrible language-said that I had
spoiled his life, and all kinds of dread
full things; and now he has gone off
abroad, nobody knows where. 1 am sure
1 only hope that shall never see him
again"
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
Ronald had found his way into profit
able foreign partnership, and instead of
fame he brought back money.
Zone of the best things ever did for
you was getting you out of that en-
tanglement!" she exclaimed fervently
when they met, for Lady Maria came of
military stock, and she knew that ono
of the most successful maneuvers is to
carry war into your enemy's quarters.
Ronald shot glance at her from
under his dark eyebrows. but said moth
ing, 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"
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