Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-03-25
HEADS | WIN.

Iresolved hundred times not to call
at Merivale's to say "gOodby," but l
went. On the road | 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 l had finished ad
miring the Improvements in the con-
servatory. l plucked couple of with
cred leaves abstractedly.
"Upon ny word, Miss Violet" l
confessed, 81 am afraid that l didn't
feel so pleased as l should have done at
your good fortune"
She looked swiftly at me, and tried
to appear interested in the palms.
81 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" explained hastily, Though | ex-
pressed myself clumsily as usual"
"Perhaps," she suggested, "you
might like to say what you did mean?
Come, l will give you full minute to
put it i'll your best English"
"No reflection is necessary" an
swered gravely. II 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.
IL, 6
she were speaking to herself, THAT is
meant for compliment? 1t may also
be taken as an insult"
"Insult?"
''1s it not an insult to suppose that
because l have become rich l should
look down upOn-upon my old friends?"
Her voice trembled.
my dear Miss Violet" cried, 81
never supposed such thing; never
dreamed it for one moment. 1t was only
that-that"- l 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 flash of her old
impetuous manner. l Igripped the flower
stand, on which my hand was resting,
savagely.
"No," l answered, 81 cannotv' 1
looked hungrily at her as she stood
leaning against the rustic work, with
lucky red rose just touching her lips. II
wish to God," added bitterly, that
l could" She met my eyes fearlessly,
though the pink color flushed over her
cheeks.
"So," she said meaningly, "do l."
But l 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
a breach of friendship" Her voice fall
tered, and she turned her head away.
81 can only ask your charity" said
hoarsely.
"Such things" she continued, ran
kle in ones mind, make one morbid and
miserable, if they are not explained"
'Such things as my stopping away
from here since you came into your un-
expected fortune?" She nodded. "And
you demand an explanations" She nod
ded again. 'Even when l tell you that
explanation is best avOided'"
"Yes," she answered, 81 do.
"Then," said 1 sadly, Il can only
say one thing, Violet. 1t is because l
love you" She hung her head, silent,
and trembled. 81 love you, ;" repeated,
$50 much that can only-go away"
She lifted up her face with the tears
streaming down her checks and held
out her hands.
"Oh, Harry she cried, cant you
see?''
groaned. my poor little girlr' l
cried. Il was afraid. 1t cannot be-"
She dried her eyes.
"You are talking nonsense " she be-
gan brightly. "If you love me-
81 do
"Of course you do, you silly fellow.
Do you think couldn't see? And if L
if l can put up with you-why, that
settles the question. She laughed un-
comfortably, watching me out of the
corners of her eyes.
my dear, it doesn't" She stamped
her foot angrily. "Violet, there is only
one honorable thing that can do-only
one way i'll which | can preserve my
self respect and act as man. That
way"-I spoke frmly-'is by going
away, as | am going"
"You are not" She caught hold of
my coat lint I yantly ramovad har
hands.
"By everything which hold sacred,
Violet, l am. Any man who was worth