The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-11-22
HEADS I WIN.

l resolved hundred times not to call
at Merivale's to say "goodby," but
went. On the road I decided that on
no account would l be left alone with
Violet but was. The folly of the most
foolish man is no match for Providence.
"Why have you not congratulated
me upon my legacy, Mr.. Durham?" she
asked abruptly when had finished ad-
miring the Improvements in the con-
servatory. plucked couple of with
cred leaves abstraotedly.
Upon my word, Miss Violet" I
confessed, 81 am afraid that didn't
feel SO pleased as should have done at
/ your good fortune. y
She looked swiftly at me, and tried
to appear interested in the palms.
Il cannot imagine you being jealous
of another's good luck. II am sorry"
she said sadly.
81 didn't mean that quite, Miss Vio-
let, " I explained hastily, Though I ex-
pressed myself clumsily as usual"
Perhaps" she suggested, "you
might like to say what you did mean?
Come, will give you full minute to
put it in your best English.
"No reflection is necessary, 1 an
swered gravely. 81 meant that your
wealth has taken you into another
sphere, out of that in which we were
friendly. l was selfish enough to be
sorry to see you go. ground my heel
on the tiled floor and pulled off leaf
II suppose, " she murmured, as if
she were speaking to herself, that is
meant for compliment? 1t may also
be taken as an insult
"Insult?''
"Is 1t not an insult to suppose that
because I have become rich / should
look down upon-upon my old friends?"
Her voice trembled.
"My dear Miss Violet cried, 81
never supposed such a thing; never
dreamed it for one moment. 1t was only
that-that"- 1 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 flash of her old
impetuous manner. Igripped the flower
stand, on which my hand was resting,
savagely.
"No," l answered, 81 cannotP'
looked hungrily at her as she stood
leaning against the rustic work, with a
lucky red rose just touching her lips. ''I
wish to God" added bitterly, "that
couldP' She met my eyes fearIessly,
though the pink color flushed over her
cheeks
$780," she said meaningly, edo l."
But 1 was doggedly. silent, and she
sighed.
There are some things, :" remarked
feebly, after painful interval, (which
are better left unsaid." She shook her
head.
There are some things" she protest
ed, (which demand an explanation
some acts which seem SO unkind-such
breach of friendship" Her voice fall
tered, and she turned her head away.
II can only ask your charity" said
hoarsely
''Such things" she continued, "ran-
kle in one's mind, make one morbid and
miserable, if they are not explained.
OuOA phAhS5 uG AAJ obODpAdB AWAY
from here since you came into your un
expected fortuneP" She nodded. "And
you demand an explanation?'' She nod
ded again. Even when tell you that
explanation is best avoided"
Eyes" she answered, Il do"
"Then, said I sadly, II can only
say one thing, Violet. It is because 1
love you She hung her head, silent,
and trembled. II love you, repeated,
$50 much that can only-go away"
She lifted up her face with the tears
streaming down her cheeks and held
out her hands.
ooh, Harryp' she cried, cant you
seep'
groaned. my poor little grip l
cried. II was afraid. 1t cannot be-"
She dried her eyes.
"You are talking nonsense, - she be-
gan brightly. eff you love me'-
Il do.
"Of course you do, you silly fellow.
Do you think couldn't see? And if L
if / can put up with you-why, that
settles the question. - She laughed I'M
comfortably, watching me out of the
corners Of her eyes.
"My dear, it DOESN'T She stamped
her foot angrily. Violet, there is only
pne honorable thing that can do-only
one way in which l can preserve my
,elf respect and act as a man. That
Yay'-I spoke firmly-"is by going
sway, as am going"
"You are mott" She caught hold of
ny coat, but I gently removed her
hnds.
SPY everything which l hold sacred,
Violet, l am. Any man who was worth
his salt would do the same. )" She knew
by the sound Of my voice that l meant
it, and the color left her cheeks.
Harry" she said piteously, Ibid
you really mean what you said-about
liking me?"
Every word. -
ell meant it tooP' / lifted her
hand and kissed it.
"It cannot be, dear" There was
nothing else to say.
81 care for what know is right and
honorable. There was long silence.
10 you remember conversation
which we had coming home from East
lakes tennis party?" she asked sudden
ly, "about modern chivalry?"
eyes, but scarcely see''-
"You said 1t was giving every one
chance-even your worst and most des-
picabIe enemy. Do you remember
81 remember, / admitted.
"f such one were at your mercy,
you said, you must not slay him with
out giving him an opportunity to fight
for his life. If fighting were impossible,
you must give him chance in some
way; you would let it rest upon the
| fall of coin. You remember"
eyes" answered, wondering, II
remember. "
"Then, she said, with keen ring
in her voice, 81 ask-nay, / demand
the same privilege. +"
"The case is quite different, Violet,
I protested But l could not avoid
( fierce desire of one Wild hazard for hap
piness.
''It is in no way different. On one
side my happiness; on the other your
foolish idea Of honor, which you place
above my happiness. y
81 oannot" groaned.
"You mustp' she insisted. "You
I a.