Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-10-02
"somethiny to saw to me- Sir Richard: :'

"Something to say to me, Sir Richard:"
Violet Mowbray falteringly replied; of
course she knew of what he meant TO
speak.
lies. ! must speak" resumed Sir Rich
ard. "1ou must have seen, you cannot
have failed to observe. how very dear YOU
have become to me; how, as il drawn by
power which | cannot but obey, in
stinctively seek your company; how at
tcntivc am to the lghtcst word that
falls from those fair lips; how eager TO
anticipate your wishes, how anxious to
cnnciliatc your good opinion. Have l
been quite unsuccessful iii doing this? 1
hope not--fervently hope not. DO you
not like me a little bit, as a fricnd:" he
added. trying to take her hand.
But Violet withdrew her hand she
trcmblcd. but her voice was steady as she
replied. 'As i, friend. Sir Richard, you
have. | am sure, always been regarded
by every one at Woodblrn ever since we
first saw YOU
You dear lutte hypocritc!" he exclaim-
cd. elergetically. do you think mix you
up in my thoughts with excellent MIR.
lmngton and his charming household? IL
l have been n frequent visitor at Wood
burn, have you not guessed what was the
magnet that drew me there: How love
you. Violet darling, words are too weak to
tell: but perhaps life's devotion would
be the best proof of my sincerity. BE nv
wife. dear. Max n'r happy; and let me
welcome in the o.d halls of Mcrtmain the
sweetest, noblcst young bride that ever u
husband yet brought to reign thcre!"
1t was all mere acting. Even the trcm-
bling of the mans voice was 81 clever stage
trick. Tho haromct talked of welcoming
his youthful bride to the grand old halls
of Mortmain. he well knew in his inmost
soul that the Use he designed 10 make Of
Niolcts seventy thousand pounds was
not to set up expensive housekeeping in
the mansion of his ancestors.
violet. with new-found courage, drew
| her hand back from his grasp. sit cannot
he as You wish. Sir Hicllnrd.'' she said,
| very gently. but very firmly. The man
of The world biz his lip.
''Iom mean. Miss Mowbray. that you
/ canNo. do mo so high an honor as To con.
sent to be my wife," demanded the baro.
, net. with SORT of naughty surprise.
! III cannot agree 10 he your wife. Sir
Richard: but had no wish 10 give you
pain OF TO annoy you by the manner OF my
refusal" returned Violet, gently. and
| looking aside.
"And ] sny," passiona:cly retoricl the
master OF Morimiin. .tlmt / will not. as
the saying is. take No fo; an answer;
| thar will not desist from my suit until
you accept me.
"Yon must spare me this answered
Violet ''sincr. believe mo. Sir Richard
my reply will newer he different from that
| which have made 10 you to-day"
''ls il possible" asked the barcnct. in
Il changed voice. tina! quivcrcd with an
, ger. cha, am lores.allcd:'
She tlnsltr,l indignant crimson. and
| turned away. but she did not ,cl him hal
h" had no righl 10 ask any such question.
! ".snd who may the fortunate swain hc
| | wondcr? he broke out furiousiy. "Solme
| l.;gs-;irly curalr. suppose: or perhaps IL
dHli,rr clerk in tho Dancborough Bank
/! II 50. IL, him look 10 it. ! ann one Of
| those whom ii is safer TO have for IA
/ friend than for an enemy" He abso-
luiv,y hisscl out The las! words. with an
emphasis ila, was really terrible.
/ "i.eHvo me. pray leave met exclaimed
, in girl. in real distress, when at that
n,"mcn, size caught sight "f Il group of
/ l.;,.i, i'lior>,lale's guests. just then en-
lrria. liz shady gardens of inc inn. With
o'i. saying u word more Violet hurried off
F, IN !ilr.; her friends. under whose protcc-
! 'ri; size ic.' ;li;li She WAS safe from fur
'.-r persecution. w,iie Sir Richard. turn
ii.% sharply nn his lce.. s,rode off iii an
/ opposite direction.
/ 1--WE. have been looking for you every
where. Violet. dear" said Mchcrly Mrs.
{ l.angion. Violet hardly knrw wha, she
answered. glad was she 10 be rid for
! the time being of the iDlporluni:y of her
nalrf,l admircr. Neither of ll,c actors i'll
This little scene had hehcld Il pair of
dark. glittcring eyes that had watched
them from II convenient nook in the tall
ho.ly-hedgc. and which. when both were
gone. gave 10 view for Il plomen; the keen
Hungarian face of Matlrnoi>clic Glitka.
"Good!' said the foreign maid. in IL low.
mriacing whislpr-"Good! He shall!
reckon to me for ,hat.." And she stretch
cd forth her hand as il its plant brown
fingers had an unseen dagger III tliei,
nervous grasp.
or, be cuninueill