Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-08-14

lingering tones; show very cruel on this
sunny day to ask me such question:
There was no anger in her face, no an
noyance-nor was there pleasure or hap
piness; she looked rather like a child
who had been disturbed at play. He was
neither anxious nor dismayed, for he
well understood the expression ON her
face.
why is it cruel, Yiolet?'' he asked.
1T is cruel. You know l do not want
to be married. Felix. / do not like to be
teased about love-
but, my darling, no one ear look at
you and not love you
THAT is not my fault. And, Felix, you
should not call me darling do you know
that is hardly properT'
If | knew a word that conveyed more
and sounded more sweetly. should use
it." he said, looking with admiration
at the pure, perfect face. .'Oh,
Violet, do accept me! No one else in the
wide world loves you half so much. /
would make you so happy that you would
never regret it.
She touched his face gently with her
dainty hands.
You would buy the moon for me if
wanted it, and you could obtain it." she
said, laughingly. But, Felix, | do not
want the moon, and l do not want to be
married. Do talk of something more
pleasant"
Violet, my heart is so full of this: ii
seemed to me as l came along that /
walked on air. have loved you so long;
L have no life apart from you; and /
have been waiting so impatiently until j
could see chance of making a beautiful
home for you. Now | see lido not be
cruel to me, Violet / implore You have
admirers of every kind, but, Violet, you
love me best, do you not?"
The lovely face dropped over a bunch
of wild thyme. She did not answer; but
he persisted il his questioning. There
was such passionate love in his handsome
eyes, such passionate pain in his face,
that she was touched.
Yes, / do love you, Felix" she said,
gently; and then she looked up in alarm
He had clasped her hands in his and
covered them with kisses. His dark eyes
were dim with tears.
oh my lovei" he cried, you hold my
heart in the hollow of your handl If
Vu Hdu gOu ulu hut lON6 ule, Tie
words would have killed me as surely as
ever a man was slain. My darling, do
you not see that if you love me you must
be my wife,
'Marriage-well, Felix, you will laugh
IT l tell you that it seems to me like
calling child into a gloomy house from
the sunshine and from play"
He took the soft, white hands in his
and held them while he made her repeat
again and again that she loved him.
You have said that you love me. Vio-
let, make me quite happy now Already
| am so happy that the air seems to in
toxicate me. Say you will be my wife,"
She was thinking again, with the same
far-off look in her eyes, and she said,
suddenly:
"A pretty cottage. Do you mean that
pretty villa where the Hendersons stay
ed 2"
The question seemed to him almost de-
cisive. She would not have asked it had
she meant to refuse him. He could hard
ly answer her calmly, but he beat back
his emotion. "She is so easily startled
he said to himself--'T must be very eau
tious what say to her." He answered:
that Captain Henderson bought are there
now. To my mind it is the prettiest
home in Lilford, and, my darling, l have
a vision of you standing in that pretty
entrance ball, waiting for me when bust
ness hours afe over. T can see the light
from the stained-glass window falling on
your golden hair. l can see the sunlight
lying outside on the flowers. / can See
my wife's sweet face grow brighter for
my coming. Do yol like the picture. Vio-
let? Will you make it real?"
Il would rather not promise" she said;
''but / will think of it. Felix"
"You do not refuse, VioletW
mo, do not refuse" she answered.
Remember" she told him, Il have not
quite promised"
II have been thinking of your wedding
dress. Violet" he said; 1T shall be of
white silk. You will be such a beautiful
bride that everyone who sees you will
want to take you from me-"
He kissed the beautiful face and whis-
pered to her that she was dearest, sweet
est, truest, that the world had no other
jewel so rare that he loved her with his
whole soul; but she whispered:
II have not quite promised. Felix, do
not forget that"
II shall remember it only to love you
the more" he answered, as he left her;
and he smiled to himself each time that
he thought of the words.
Ito be continuedD