Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-09-08
CHAPTER IN.


Luncheon was laid on the table, elab-
orately spread with handsome plate. cost.
ly fruit--every luxury that could gladden.
the heart Of man. When Sir Owen sat
down Mr.. Haye expressed his regret at
leaving 80 magnificent and hOspitable a
house. His host looked up with a slight
laugh--a keen observer would have seen
that he was agitated.
~ am glad you like the place." he said.
81 have bee. asking your daughter to re-
main here"
A warning touch from his wife told
Francis Haye that he was to remain ST.
leaf. She looked ut and addressed Sir
Owen.
II do nc. understand you. How could
Violet remain here without usT'
"As my wife, Mrs. Haye. II she will
only consent, Garswood and its master,
with oil that IL contains, shall be hers"
Mrs. Haye rose slowly and drew her
shawl round her shoulders.
you are very kind, Sir Owen" she
said, dryly, "and l am sure that Violet
must he quite fattered by your generous
offer: but-she has promised to marry
Felix Lonsdale."
THAT promise should not bind her." he
cried, eagerly. 1T was won from her
under false pretenses. 1t will be crying
shame IL you allow her to keep it,"
80 l think" said Mrs. Haye, as she
drew on her gloves; but am quite pow.
erless In the matter" Nor would she
hear another word.
She FASTENED their departure, and Sir
Owen left his other guests to drive them
home. He remained at The Lines with
them for an hour or two, and II was Mrs.
Haye who reminded him that his guests
were waiting.
II do not care for my guests" he said.
II care only for you. II you will not 70
back with me you must let me stop here
and she had great difficulty in persuading
him to go.
Not one word about Sir Owen was said
10 Violet after his departure.
Leave II all to me, Francis" said Mrs.
Haye to her husband. III you interfere
you will mar 1t all. Leave It to me. and
do not utter single word"
Later on In the evening Felix came,
and Violet saw that he looked anxious,
worn and hnggard. Mrs. Haye had never
received him more kindly. Mr.. Haye was
tired, and had gone to his own room.
Mrs. Haye made Felix sit down with
them, and began to talk TO him about his
father, his family. the business, and his
prospects.
The simple, noble-hearted young fellow
opened his whole heart to her; he told
her all his sorrow and distress about his
fathcr-how he had been ont. and had
met someone who had spoken TO him
harshly In respect Of the will case and
the consequence had been severe re-
lapse.
'The fact is," said Felix, shat my
father Is breaking his honest heart. Mrs.
Haye.'
1T Ii very sad" she returned-"very
sad. and very hopeless. OF course, II he
gets no better, the maintenance Of the
whole family will fall upon you, Felix"
YES he replied, 1T will fall upon me.
i cannot desert them. ] must work for
my mother and the little ones.'
I'm that case, my poor boy she asked,
what VIII you DO with wife"
He knelt down by Violets side and took
her hand In his. He kissed 1t with pas.
sion that could not Ike told.
what shall ! do with wifew he
cried. ASK me rather what ! shall do
without one. My wife will be my haven,
my rest, my hope, my refuge-will give
me courage and hope and fortitude. She
will give strength to my mind, my heart,
my brain; my wife will be the whole
world to me-"
EYES," agreed Mrs. Haye, gently; but,
Felix, how are you to keep her! How Is
she to live? You could not take wife
home to Vale House, to an invalid faith
er, a stepmother, and all those children"
mo; ! should make u home OF my
own" he replied. "Ah. you do not know
how ! love Violet-how / should work