The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-10-17


to escape but he followed her.
II have not much to Offer" he said,
but all I have is at your feet"
She 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 90,
want you to be my wife"
II do understand she answered, land
I honor YOU for asking me after what
has happened. but l will not take ad-
vantage of your generosity"
1T is not generosity, II Is sheer sell
nshness" cried Ronald
But Violet showed no signs OF yielding
Il will not leave you unless you tell
me one thing. If your heart is free
claim il; but II not / will never trouble
you again. Violet, tell me. do you love
any one?'
She looked at him with face that
paled under his gaze.
YES" she said Il do"
He dropped her hand.
THAT is enough, he said hoarsely,
and he turned and went.
1T is strange how ungrateful youag
people aroi" remarked Lady Mary, 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 pro-
mote it. and yet he actually came here
the other day and used the most terrible
language-said that L had spoiled his life,
and all kinds of dreadful things; ana
now he has gone abroad, no one knows
where. l am sure l only hope that
shall never see him again"
Lady Mary'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 ma
terially to the infrmities of her frame.
But when at last he did reaper, she
was willing TO overlook the past in spite
of her resentments for Ronald had found
his way into a profitable foreign partner
ship and instead of fame he brought
back money
zone of the best things I ever did for
you was to get you out of that entangle-
mentW she exclaimed feryently when
they met.
Lady Mary came of military stock, and
she knew that one of the most successful
maneuvers is to carry the war into your
enemy's quarters.
Ronald shot glance at her from under
| his dark brows.
do you think sou he asked
Yes"
'.Why?'
why? Because Mr.. Harvey went
| bankrupt a year or two after you went
away, and they are poor now. That
upstart girl waits upon the dodgers, l
believe"
You don't say sou remarked Ronald.
And where do they live?"
In Worthing," said Lady Mary de
ceived by his GOODNESS Lady Herbert
was there the other day, and she told
me she saw Mrs. Harvey ON the parade
and that woman actually had the inn
pertlnence to speak to her. Can you be
lieve it?"
Il don't know. aunt; but 1 am going to
Worthng this afternoon and I shall see
whether she will speak to mel
My lady took fright
ooh, my dear boy!" she cried, don't
do anything foolish You have no idea
how designing poor people are!'
Here she ceased. for the sound Of the
loudly closing door informed her thai
she was alone.
But why did you send me away?" sale
Ronald. a few hours later, as he anC
Violet stood together under the stars
and heard the waves beating upon the
beach
Because / thought, after what Wa
overheard. you felt yourself bound to sa!
what you did out of consideration 70
me-"
so your pride came in the way M
little love-"
call II what you WILL
Don't you know that pride Is one o
the seven deadly sins?"
I've never so regarded it
well. l can not preach to you now
my sweet sweet hereto. because 1 wan
to ask YOU another question. If you real
ly have loved me all these years VIII
did you tell me such dreadful blae
ne2"
"A He?"
e "Oh. YES. When I asked you if yo
,. had loved any one you said yes. Nov
i confess at once. because I'm not goin
to let YOU of SO easily this time.
. He held her away from him so that h
! could look into her face and awaite
u / her answer with memorable calmness.
u II saw that you would not listen to an
other objection. 1 thought YOU were sac
rihcing yourself and So
a ~ know all that" he interrupted; "bl
u you had no business to say what you di
unless. of course. there really was SON
one2"
Her face flushed, and as she raised h'
eyes he could see the tears shining
y their starry depths. He grasped Ia
hands more firmly and looked down
. her from his height of six feet.
Il She tried to speak but her quiverir
. voice would not be controlled. and, wit
a great wave Of love surging in his hear
!. he drew her close to him.
y who was it, Violet?"
1t She turned to hide her face upon h
/, shoulder and breathed her answer In
u his ear as he bent to catch it.
" My dear, blind lover. it was your
p Waverley Magazine.
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