Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-07-14

Violet tells me ne mas prOpOseO tne
cheek shall be sent to you +"
Ronald drew back q step. his cheek
growing white beneath its bronze. bis
hands clenched involuntarily, and for a
moment Violet expected TO see him dash
out upon the conspirators; but their
voices we-e already receding in the dis
tance, and as he looked round he saw
the anguish in her face.
''Violetl VioIetr' he cried. seizing
her hands in his. "You knew nothing
of thisl I swear it with my dying
breathp'
She drew her hands away and turned
to escape, but he followed her.
''I have not much to offer, =" he said.
''but all | have is at your feet. 4"
She quickly looked up, and light of
gratitude came into her eyes.
''How good you are, - she said.
Ronald locked ut 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. 2"
81 do understand, she answered
gently, ..and honor you for asking me
after what has happened. but will not
take advantage of your generosity.
cit is not generosity" " cried Ronald.
''It is sheer selfshnessr'
But Violet showed no signs of yield
ing.
'I 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 any one?''
She looked at him with face that
grew pale under his gaze.
eyes" she said, 81 do"
"That is enough" said Ronald
hoarsely, and dropping her hand he
turned and went.
''It is strange how ungrateful young
people arel'' remarked Lady Maria,
few days later, to the friends gathered
around her tea table. ST had arranged
a 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 had spoil
ed his life, and all kinds of dreadful
things; and now he has gone off abroad,
nobody knows where. I am sure I only
hope that shall never see him again.
Lady Maria's wish seemed likely to
be fulfilled, for five long years came and
WENT, DrlnSlIlB no neWS OI- hDudlus anu
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 infirmities of her
frame. But when at last he did reap
pear she was willing to overlook the
past in spite of her resentment, for Rom
aid had found his way into q profitable
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 entan-
glementP' she exclaimed fervently when
they met, for Lady Maria came of mill
tary 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 un-
der his dark eyebrows, but said nothing,
and she continued gnyly:
''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,
I believe. -
"You don't say SOP remarked Ron
aid. "Where are they hving?''
''In Worthing, said Lady Maria, de-
ceived by his GOODNESS. Lady Henning-
ton was there last month, and she told
me that she saw Mrs. Harvey on the
Parade, and that the woman actually
had the audacity to speak to herl Can
you believe it?''
ST don't know, " said Ronald; "but I
am going to Worthing this afternoon,
and I shall SEQ whether she will speak
to mep'
"Oh, my dear boyi" cried Lady Maria
in genuine distress. "Pray, pray don't
do anything so foolishi You have no
idea how designing poor people are
but she ceased, for the sound of the
loudly closing door informed her that
she was alone.
"But why did you send me away"
said Ronald q few hours later as he and
Violet stood together under the stars
and heard the waves beating upon the
beach.
because Thought after what we
overheard you felt yourself bound to say
what you did out of consideration for
me. ("
$50 your pride came In the way, my
little onel Don't you know that pride is
one of the deadly sins? However.
can't preach to you now because want
to ask you another question. II you
really have loved me all along, why did
you tell such a dreadful lie?"
"a heP' exclaimed Violet.
Eyes. A lie. a regular big, black
oneI When 1 asked you if you had loved
any one, you said yes. Now then, con-
fess at once, because I'm not going TO
let you OFF,
He held her away from him SO that
he could look into her face and waited
iuexorably for her answer
81 saw that you would not listen to
any other objection, - she said, land
thought that you were sacrificing you<-
self, and so''-
"Yes. know all that, {" he interrupt
ed, but you had no business TO say
what you didi Unless, of course, there
really was some one Come now, tell
me. -
A flush came over her face, and as
she raised her eyes he could see her tears
shining in the starlight. He grasped
her hands more firmly in his now and
looked down at her from the height Of
his feet
She tried to speak, but her quivering
voice would not be controlled, and with
a great wave of love surging up in his
heart he drew her close to him.
"Who was it!'' he whispered
She turned to hide her face upon his
shoulder and breathed her answer into
his ear bent down TO catch it
You dear, blind boy, it was you'll"
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