Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-10-16

her resolve.
CHAPTER XXI.
Five years had passed since the peal of
Violet Hayes wedding bells had driven
her lover Felix almost mad, since the
wonderful turn of good fortune had come
TO the Lonsdales and made them famous
live years, and they had brought with
them many changes. The business and
the fair fame of Lonsdale & Son had
wonderfully increased; they were COM
PEELED to engage more clerks, to enlarge
their offices. Times had marvelously
changed. Mrs. Lonsdale had a pretty
carriage now, and no stint of silk dresses;
the children had most of them gone to
college and school. The house had been
beautifully furnished; there was a gem
eral air of prosperity about it that was
pleasant.
Darcy Lonsdale seemed to have recoy-
cred more than his usual health and
strength; he had never been so happy. so
prosperous and contented. Over and over
again he said to himself that his mis-
fortune had been a blessing He at
tended almost entirely to Sir Owens bus
iness-Felix very seldom interfered with
to Lord Arlington's. The firm was emf
nently prosperous, and it was fast taking
the place of one of the most eminent in
the county.
A great change had come to Felix.
These five years had wonderfully improv-
ed him. He was looked upon as the ris-
ing man of the day; his society was court
ed; his opinion was sought upon every
leading question. He had not risen,
however, without effort on his own part.
No one but himself knew how he had
worked, how he had studied far into the
silent hours of the night, how he had
spent in reading the hours that other
men give to amusement and recreation.
He was like a king among his fellow
townsmen; he made for himself a reputa-
ton far beyond Lilford; he was known
as a clever writer, as the author of some
of the most brilliant essays and articles
published. He retained all the simple
habits of his boyhood; he reverenced and
loved his father, he loved Kate and the
little ones. He might have set up a
separate establishment for himself. but
he was quite content with the old home
at Vale House. The only luxury in
which he had INDUCED was the purchase
of a spirited thoroughbred. When he
had worked until eye and brain and nerve
We're exhausted, he would ride through
the green lanes, gallop over the breezy
commons and return with renewed vigor.
They asked themselves, those who low
ed him best, if he had forgotten his I'M
happy love affair. 1t was impossible to
say; those who watched him most keenly
and most kindly--Eye and Kate-could
not tell. They could see that he devoted
himself to business and to study, to kind
ly interest in his home; he seemed to care
for nothing else. Had he forgotten the
pasta
He never mentioned Lady Chevenix;
he never made any of those half-bitter.
half-cynical remarks in which disappoint-
ed men so often indulge. If anyone spoke
of her in his presence, he listened, and
replied if necessary; but there was moth
ing revealed in his manner Kate said to
herself proudly that he had forgotten
her, that his heart was too noble to keep
alive the memory of woman so false.
Eve knew him better. There were times
when even gallop over the breezy up
lands did not set him straight, then he
would so over to Outlands.
Il have come to chat with you, Eve"
he would say. Have you an hour to
Spare?H
Then one look at his face. at the shad-
owed eyes, would tell her that he was
doing fierce battle with his foe She
would go into the pretty. old-fashioned
sitting room, and making him sit in
comfortable armchair. would talk 70 him.
To herself she said often that it was like
the laying of an evil spirit She would
read TO him, converse with him, give
him all the news she could. She knew,
and he knew, why he was there, what
allied him, what old sorrow was crying
aloud, what vain, wild passion, what
deep regret was in his heart: but it was
not discussed.
She knew when her wise. sweet, tender
words took effect the shadow would fall
from his face. and he would listen in ST.
lence. AT times he would sit for an hour
listening, never speaking, and then. ris-
ing with frightened look that did her
heart good, he would clasp her hand
warmly in his own.
Thank you, Eve he would say to
her; Il know best what you have done
for me-"
just then with her niece Eve had re-
ceived two good offers OF marriage, and
had refused them both: and, though Miss
Lester disliked men. she had always a
keen eye to the main chance, and said
that il Eve refused one she ought TO have
taken the other.
She con6ded her grievance to Felix.
Il wish" she said, .'that you would
talk TO her; you have known her so long
you are an old friend. Talk to her,
Felix; tell her how foolish it is to refuse
every good offer"
But | thought ron disapproved Of
marriage, Miss Lester, "and disliked
menT
$50 | do; but shall not live forever.
and Eve must have someone TO take care
OF her. Squire Hethway would have
made her good husband. Talk to her,
Felix.
Il really do not ike to speak to Eve
on such a matter" said Felix; she
might not ike IT, She must have had
her own reasons Cor saying No
Reasons" quota Miss Lester. '.She
has not any She is waiting until the
man in the moon proposes 70 marry her.
and / hope it Will be soon"
Felix went away laughing. nat he
thought Of Evelyn that evening more
than ever he had thought Sse woadsyed
Why she would not marry
"Wheever marries her. he thought.
will certainly have treasure OF wife.
Eve deserves the truest love that Z man
can give her.
Yet it never once occurred to him to