The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-01
The Fall of a Coin

| / resolved hundred times not to call
at Meriyale's 70 say ''good-oy." but I
went, On the road I decided that on no
account would be left alone with Violet,
but I was. The folly of the most foolish
man is no match for providence
Why have you not congratulated me
upon by legacy. Mr.. Durham?'' she asked,
abruptly, when / had finished admring
the Improvements in the conservatory. /
plucked a couple of withered leaves abb
| sIractedly.
Upon my word Miss Violet" confess
ed Il am afraid that / didn't feel so
pleased as should have done al your good
| fortune"
Il cannot imagine you feeling jealous
| Of another's good luck. IL am sorry"
| she said sadly.
Il don't mean that quite. Miss. Violet, -
| l explained hastily though | expressed
| myself cIumsily as usual"
Perhaps" she suggested. you might
| lkt 10 say what you did mean? Come. 1
will give you full minute TO put it In
your best English"
mo reflection Is necessary" answer
| ed gravely. Il mean that your wealth
has taken you in another sphere. out OF
| that In which you were friendly. l was
| selfish enough 10 bs sorry TO see you 60"
I ground my heel on the tiled floor. and
pulled of a leaf
Il suppose" she murmured, as II she
were speaking TO herself. that is meant
for compliment? It may also be taken
as an insult"
| 'Tnsut?"
rs it not an insult to suppose that. be-
! cause | have become rich. l should look
| down upon-upon my old friends?" Her
voice trembled-
| My dear Miss Violet" cried, 81 never
supposed such a thing: never dreamed ii
| for q moment It was only that-that"-
] stopped abruptly. There was nothing to
| say but the one thing not TO be said.
Cannot you say what you do mean?"
she demanded. with a fash of her old
| impetuous manner l gripped the flower
! stand. on which my hand was resting,
savagely.
NO" I answered. II cannot" I look
ed hungrily at her as she stood leaning
gainst the rustic work with lucky red
| rose just touching her lips. II wish TO
Cod" 1 added bitterly, that ] could!"
She met my eyes fearlsssly. though the
pink color flushed over her cheeks.
80" shs said, meaningly. do l." But
I was doggedly silent. and she sighed
There are some things" I remarked
feebly, after painful interval, which
are better left unsaid-" She shook her
head
There are some things" she protested.
which demand an explanation; some
acts which seem so unkind-such breach
of friendship" Her voice fsltered
81 can only ask your charity" 1 said
hoarsely.
such things" she continued, "rankle in
ones mind. make one morbid and miser
able if they are not explained.
such things as my stopping away from
here since you came into your unexpect-
ed fertune?'' She nodded 'And you de-
mand an explanations" She nodded again.
Even when tell you that explanation is
best avoided?"
Yes" she answered, IT do"
"Then." 7 said. sadly, 81 can only say
one thing, Violet. 1t Is because I love
you" She hung her heai silently and
trembled 81 love you" 1 repeated. $50
much that l can only-go away" She
lifted up her face with the tears stream
ing down her cheeks and held out her
hands.
"Oh. Harry" she cried, cant you seer
groaned aloud. My poor little girlr
I cried. L was afraid 1t cannot be-"
She dried her eyes.
''You are talking nonsense" she began,
brightly; 'if you love ms"
az do
"Of course you do. you silly fellow Do
you think I couldn't see? And II If I
can put up with you--why, tina; settles
the question" she laughed uncomfortably,
watching me out of the corners of her
eyes.
my dear. 1t doesn't" She stamped her
foot angrily. Violet, there is only one
honorable thing that 1 can do-only enc
way in which l can preserve my self
respect and act as a man. That way
I spoke firmly-"is by going away, as /
am going"
You are not" She caught hold OF my
coat, but ! gently removed her hands
"By everything l hold sacred, Violet,
am. Any man who was worth his salt, |
would do the same" She knew by the
sound of my voice that 1 meant IT, and
the color left her cheeks.
Harry" she said pteously, did you |
really mean what you said-about liking |
me?"
EVERY word"
IL meant it--too!" I lifted her hand
and kissed it.
TT cannot be. dear" There was moth
ing else to say
you cara for what people would think |
more than you care for me?"
II care for what I know Is right and |
honorable" There was a long silence.
DO you remember a conversation which |
we had coming home from Eastlake's ten
mis- party" she asked suddenly, about |
modern chivalry?"
Yes; but / scarcely see"
You said it was giving everyone a /
cAance-even your worst and most despic- /
able enemy. Do you remember"
Il remember" ! admitted.
"If such 2 one were at your mercy, you !
said, you must not slay him without Civ /
ing him an opportunity to fight for his 4
life If fighting were impossible you |
must give him chance in some way; you /
would let II rest upon the fall OF a coin. |
You remember?"
Yes" I answered. wondering; II re-
member"
Then" she said. with keen ring in
her voice, 4 ask-nay, 1 demand-the (
same privilege"
THE case IS quite different, Violet" /
protested But ! could not avoid fierce |
desire OF one wild hazard for happiness. /
1T IS in no way different On one side /
my happiness; on the other your foolish 1
idea OF honor. which you place above /
my happiness"
Il cannot I groaned.
You nust"' she insisted. you cannot /
refuse me what you would grant 10 the |
meauest Of your foes" She produced q i
penny from her little purse. You viii !
not be SO cruel and unjust as TO refuse me 4
this?"
1t is not right"
q say IL is
Then We disa gree"
Therefore a judge Is nesdsd-the I'M /
partial coinl" She laughed feverishly
Very we'll I said wildly. Put let ne /
be honest with you. Violet. At the bot /
tom OF ny heart despise myself for Civ /