Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1896-06-20

10 escape, but he followed her
y have not much % offer he said
but att have IS at Your feet
She quickly looked up. and a light Of
gratitude came INTO her eyes.
How good you are, she said.
Ronald looked ut her in bewilderment
the words we're not what ne had ex
pected,
You DO not understand" be said
y want you 10 he my wife"
Il 10 understand She answered
gently, and / honor you for asking me
afler what has happened; but will moi
take advantage Of your generosity
1T is not generosity cried Ronald
'it IS sheer selfshness!H
But Violet showed no signs Of yield.
ing.
I will not leave you unless yon tel
me one thing" said Ronald. IF your
heart is free, I claim it; but Il not will
never trouble you again. Violet, tel
ne. 30 you love anyone
She looked at him with a face that
grew pale under his gaze,
Yes. she said, y do
'Thatis enough, said Ronald, hoarse'
~, and dropping her hand he turned
and went,
1T is strange how ~ungrateful young
people are.' remarked Lady Maria, a
few days later, 10 the friends gathered
around her tea table. 81 had arranged
a most suitable match for my nephew
really done everything in my power Il
promote il; and yet he actually came
here the other day and used the mos
terrible language-said that I had
spoiled his life, and all kinds Of dread.
full things; and now he has gone Of
abroad. nobody kaows where. lam sur,
! only hope that T shall never see him
again"
Lady Naria's wish seemed likely tc
be fulfilled, for five long years came and
went, bringing no news Of Ronald; and
though FIVE years could o take the
bloom from her check, nor the gold
from her hair, they could, and did add
very materially to the lH8rmities Of her
frame. But when at last he did reap
rear, she was willing 70 overlook the
past in spite Of her resentment, for
Ronald had found his way into a profit
able foreign partnership, and instead Of
fame he brought back money.
"One Of the best things I ever did foy
you vas getting you out Of that en-
tanglement.' she exclaimed fervently
when they met, for Lady Maria came Of
military stock, and she knew that one
Of the most successful maneuvsrs ia to
carry war into yoBr epemy's quarters
Ronald shot a glance at her from
under bis dark eyebrows. but said moth
ing, and she continued 2ayly;
"Afr. Harvey went bankrupt a year or
two after You went away, and they are
quite in poor circumstance now. That
vpetart girl waits upon the dodgers.
believe
You don't say so!7 remarked Ronald.
Where are they Hving9'
Tn Worthing said Lady Maria, de-
ceived By his coolness. lady Henning.
ton was there last month, and she toll,
me that she saw Mrs. Harvey on the
parade, and that the woman actually
had the audacity 70 speak 10 her! Can
you believe it,
~ don't know said Ronald; but
am going to Worthing this afternoon,
ard 7 shall see whether she viii speak
10 me-"
"Oh. my dear boyl' cried Lady Maria,
in genuine distress. pray pray don't
do anything foolish. You have no idea
how designing poor people are" but
here she ceased, for the sound Of thu
loudly closing door informed her that
she was alone.
But why did You send me away2'
said Ronald, a few hours later, as he and
Violet stood together under the stars
and heard the waves beating upon the
beach.
because I thought. after what we
overheard. you felt yourself bound tt
say what you did out Of consideration
for me-
$50 your pride came in the way, M
little one! Don't you kno" that pride
is one OF the deadly sIns2 However,
can't preach 70 you oW. because want
to ask yoU another question II yoJ
really have loved me all along, why dit
You tell such a dreadful Hop
a ne exclaimed Nlolet'
Yes, a lie; A regular big black one
When asked you if you had loved any
one you Sa'o yes, 0 'hen' cohies'
al once because In not gong TO lei
you on
lie held her away from him 50 that
he couid iook INTO her face, and waitet
ineSorably Tor her answer
i saw That you would not listen tt
any other objection she said, and
thought that you were sacrificing your
les, KNOW all that, ne interrupt
ed; but yoi' had no business to say
what you ana Unless, OF course. there
really was someone? Come now, tel
me-"