Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-08-28
CHAPTER y.-tContinued.,


would hold her until life was ended. Then
he owned to himself that Mr.. Haye was
Fight-cruelly right-that without money,
with an invalid father, falling business,
he could not take wife. It was right to
defeS it. He must be patient. After all,
be had not lost her, he reflected. She
was still his own.
Have you got some good news there,
Felix?" asked the feeble voice OF his
father; and the next moment Felix had
repressed the emotion so rapidly master
ing him as he crushed the letter in bis
hand.
1T is only a note from Violet, father,
he replied; and the satisfied smile on his
fathers face rewarded him.
Darcy Lonsdale knew that while Violet
was true to his idolized son nothing else
would hurt him.
They were alone-father and son-for
Kate had gone to the nursery-when the
hall-door bell rang. Felix said, cheerful
ly:
Here is visitor"
Few visitors will come here; we have
lost fortune, not found one" said Darcy
Lonsdale, who had never spoken Gym
zeal word before.
It was a visitor, and one whom they
were both well content to see. 1t was
Evelyn Lester, with basket of grapes
and delicacies of all kinds for the invalid,
and, what was better still, with the light
of love and kindness on her sweet face,
and with words of sympathy on her lips.
AS Felix saw her bending over his faith
er he half wished for a moment that Vlo-
let had done something like this-had
come to see them in their distress.
1t was a pretty picture-the Invalid ~
ing ON his couch, the girl with her sweet
face and earnest eyes bending over him,
and, watching them at distance, the
handsome son. The fire burned bright
ly, the lamps were lighted, while outside
the north wind walled mournfully.
Evelyn took up a bnnch of ripe purple
grapes.
IF want to see you eat some of these, =
she said. Mrs. Lonsdale told me that
you ate nothing yesterday" And taking
the grapes out one by one in her white
fingers she held them to his lips.
How could he refuse? He was so weak
and feeblef, he had been so completely
crushed ny cruel words, that the girls
simple Kindness moved him.
Il have been heart-broken, Eve" he
said. Il did not care to get we'll"
You will live it down." she returned,
gently; "and those who have doubted you
will be the first to feel ashamed of their
injustice"
''You have never doubted me, Eye?"
"Oh, neverl How could |? l should
doubt all the world first"
Then she rose from her chair and knelt
down by his side. She took both his
hands such thin, worn hands.-in hers,
and held them there.
II came to say something to you, Mr..
Lonsdale,' said she; land now that | am
here have hardly the courage. Promise
not to be angry with me-"
Il could not be if l tried, dear child, .
he replied
Her face flushed, and the light deepen
ed in her eyes.
You have known me all my life," she
said-''have you not?-ever since l came
here, little, friendless child"
''Yes, it is true. Eve"
''And you have always been kind to me.
/ have come to you in a score of childish
troubles, and you were always kind to
me- Now want you to let me repay you
for all your kindness. She spoke so
quickly that he could not interrupt her.
II want to help you. You know that /
have money, plenty of money, all lying
idle-for | want none, and Aunt Jane
will not touch it. Do accept it; let me
give it to you. / shall never want it, for
| shall never marry. Do take it; you
would make me happier than anyone in
the wide world if you would. | am so
grieved and so sorry that l would go out
and work for you if you would let me. If
you will not accept it, borrow it until
you can repay me. Do not refuse me
let me help YOU"
Felix had come nearer to her, listening
in wonder TO the passionate words. Mr..
Lonsdale drew the fair head down nearer
to him.
$50 you would give me all your for
tune, Ever
There was a glad light in her eyes when
she raised them TO his.
Il would-double my fortune, if / had
it." she replied.
"And why. Eve-tell me why you would
be so good to me?'
The rich crimson flush burned her fair
face. She knew why, but she could not
tell him.
Because love you all, and you are
my dearest friends" she replied.
"NIy dear Evelyn" said Darcy Ions
dale-and his voice was broken with emo
tion-"how shall thank you?"
An expression of perfect rapture came
over the girls face.
"You will let me do it?" she cried. "You
have made me one of the happiest girls
in the world"
The thin hand clasped hers. the sunken
eyes looked tenderly into hers.
will let You give it to me, my dear
est Eve? No--a thousand times no, 1t
is not for the money | am thanking you.
but for the thought. the intention. You
have gladdened my heart. you have glad
dened my life-you have given me the
courage TO get better. you have given me
hope. l shah be so much better for your
coming"
But that is not the point" she cried.
Dear Mr. Lonsdale. do accept the
money. All. il you knew how little
care for il. and how much | care for you
If you knew the pleasure il would give
me. you could not refuser'
lie drew the sweet face down TO his
aud kissed il.
My dear Eve. would rather have this
offer made 10 me than any other. You
haW restored some OF my self-esteem,
child-Some OF my self-respect."
Evelyn looked up liz wonder. for Felix
had bent down and kissed her hand. He
gazed at the sweet. flushed face with
wonder.
Eve" he said. ''you are sn angel! /
shall never forget what You have said
and done. l shall never forget that you
have given responding, almost despair
ing man, hope"
SO the winter passed. Mr.. Lonsdale
recovered his health but slowly. The
spring OF his life seemed broken; he found
living his trouble down more difficult
than he had anticipated. He had with
drawn himself from ali positions OF trust
he gave up his Office as church warden.
he would no longer be overSeer.
"If they could believe that OF me-" he
said. Il viii hold ne trust among them. =
And he did not. What business was
brought 10 his Office he did. but he no
longer mixed With his fellow-nen.
So winter wore away and Eenial lovely