The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-06-19

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weeks since first saw your" he said
Il can hardly believe it myself, for ii
seems as il 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 tn be broken at
once; but Ronald knew that their soil
tude might be disturbed at any moment,
and rousing himself from his dream
he had just opened his lips to speak,
when voice from some hidden speaker
came plainly to their ears.
ut is almost certain to come off to-
night. I 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:
eve shall be only too grateful to you
if it does come off, for her papa and |
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 cheek
growing pale beneath it's bronze; his
hands clenched involuntarily, and for a
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! swear 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 I 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.
- ~ 60
II do understand" she answered,
gently, "and honor you for asking me,
after what has happened; but I will not
take advantage of your generosity"
ut is not generosity" cried Ronald,
lit is sheer selfishness!"
But Violet showed no signs of yield
ing.
II will not leave you unless you tell
me one thing" said Ronald. "If your
heart is free, claim it; but if not, | 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-
y, and dropping her hand he turned
md went.
"It is strange how ungrateful young
,eople are!" remarked Lady Maria,
'ew days later, to the friends gathered
lround her tea table. 81 had arranged
/ most suitable match for my nephew,
'eally done everything in my power to
it; and yet he actually came
lere the other day and used the most
;errible language-said that I had
spoiled his life, and all kinds of dread
ul things; and now he has gone off
broad, nobody knows where. lam sure
only hope that shall never see him
gain"
Lady Maria's wish seemed likely to
'e fulfilled, for five long years came and
vent, bringing no news of Ronald; and
hough five years could not take the
,loom from her cheek, nor the gold
rom her hair, they could, and did add
cry materially to the infirmities of her
rame. But when at last he did reap
ear, she was willing to overlook the
'ast in spite of her resentment, for
lonald had found his way into profit
hle foreign partnership, and instead of
anne he brought back money.
Zone of the best things ever did for |
gu was getting you out of that en-
she exclaimed fervently |
Fhen they met, for Lady Maria came of |
military stock, and she knew that one |
I the most successful maneuvers is to |
AIRY war into your enemy's quarters.
Ronald shot glance at her from
nder his dark eyebrows, but said moth
lg, and she continued gayly:
"Mr. Harvey went bankrupt year or
wo after you went away, and they are
ute in poor circumstances now. That