Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-09-01
CHAPTER VIII,


great fete. and Mrs. Hayc declared that
II was fortunate rain fell two days be.
fore. It cleared the mir. II freshened the
grass. II washed the dust from the trees
and hedges, and 1t made the whole face
Of nature so sweet. SO fresh and fair,
that II was q pleasure TO breathe. The
air was odorous with the scent Of flow
ers and Of green leaves.
Sir Owen In his sumptuously appoint.
cd carriage drove up to The Lines. Moth.
ing could have exceeded his kindness--he
was 80 attentive to Francis Hayc, 80 kind
to Mrs. Hayc, so dcfercntial to Violet.
Again she felt how pleasant II was. She
saw deep satisfaction on her fathers
face, great pride on her mothers. She
was young and needless. and on such an
exquisite June day how could she help
feeling bright and happy? Moreover, she
held something In her hand which glad
dcpcd her heart. just as she was start.
ing, while Sir Owen stood waiting for
her, messenger came with note from
Felix:
"My Darling Violet: send few words
TO greet you rs you are starting, and 10
wish you very pleasant, hnppy visit.
You will not forget me? You will say to
yourself over and over again that you
are pledged to mci trust you implicit.
~. You love me. and nm content"
How he loved her! She repeated II
again and again. How he loved her! The
little note pleased her. She drove away
with Sir Owen whispering all kinds OF
compliments to hers but her lovers face
was before her eyes and his words wer,
In her heart. They drove through thu
magnificent park, with It's herd Of antler
cd deer, through the superb grounds, e
the grand entrance, and then Violet look
cd up in wonder.
The afternoon sun fell full upon the
grand old building, showing the tower.
and turrets, the deep Oriel windows, the
Venetian balconies, bringing out the pic
turesque outlines Of the noble edifcc. Sh,
hardly knew that such splendOr could be
unconsciOusly she crushed her lovers lii
tie note In her hand as she beheld tn,
treasures on the walls.
She passed through long, broad CORR
doris, where white marble statues CLEAN
cd from among pyramids of choice flow
ers: she gazed on glorious pictures an,
| picturesque fountains; and all the tim,
| Sir Owen walked by her side whisperin,
gay, pretty compliments. They came I,
the drawing room pt last-a large, loft!
room with nm eXQuisitcly painted ceiling
and bright with flowers and statues. II
the midst Of oil the magnifccnce stoo,
Lady ROlfe, with smile on her face
waiting to receive them. She welcome,
them with courtly, kindly words, and Il
all she said she was seconded by he
daughter Lavinia. Sir Owen, she said
had asked her to assist him, and she ha
for time undertaken the duties Of hos
tess.
What never.tO'be. forgotten evenin
II was! Her greatest difficulty was |
keeping herself from expressing her wOr
der. She went TO the drawing room an
found two or three other ladies'. She ha
an uneasy consciousness that they wer
all talking about her US she entered, fO
they stopped suddenly and looked ut be
curiously. But Lady ROlfe introduce
her, and they We're SO startled by he
striking beauty that they were more tina
civil to her. Sir Owen almost fOllOwe
her into the room. How his eyes brigh
ened us he saw her!
For girl like that to marry coul
| Try boucitoT, W uiuc sucu pcuuty US uct
In place like Iilford, IL simply ma.
ness" he said to himself. ''She will than
me In after years for saving her frol
such fate"
Then he went up to her, and scarcel
left her all the evening. II was aguin'
the laws of etiquette for him to take hs
down to dinner; but Lady Rolfe accepte
his apology with smile. The astute lad
had explained the motives Of her pole
to Lavinia.
II understand Sir Owen" she said. 81
anyone opposes him he will lose his re-
son over the girl. Place no obstacle
the way Of his admiration, and he wi
soon tire Of her. lie cannot marry he
for she IL engaged to Felix LOnsdale."
No, with great amiability, Lady Roll
had accepted Sir Owens invitation to a.
rs hostess for three or four days. 81
had determined that she would give hi
every opportunity OF being with ViOle
on the principle that the more he saw
her the sooner he would tire OF her.
The next morning was bright ar
warm. There was hurried breakfast
everyone seemed to have 10 much to d
from early dawn men had been at wol
In the park. Sir Owen came downstai
radiant.
"Who will say one word against En-
lish weather after thisY" he cried; the
| when he shw Violet, he bowed low to he
"The queen Of the fete," he whispere
and she blushed as she heard him.
, The pOst-bag came as they sat
breakfast, and there was note for he
! she saw that 1t was from Felix. and pv
It aside until she should be alone. Loo