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


Felix sent his clerk to Vale House with
note saying that the family were not
to be alarmed IL he did not return that
evening, ~ he had some important bust
ness to transact in u town some miles
| distant.
North Alton was forty miles from lii.
ford. Felix knew that the name of Mrs.
Hayes cousin was Miss Western. lie
had often heard Violet laugh about her
mothers cousin. who was an old maid
He said to himself that he would go to
North Alto: by the night train; then he
could see Violet In the morning. and be
at home again in the evening.
When hs stood before Violet she ut
tered cry OF sorrow and dismay. He
had left the hotel to 60 to her aunt's
house, and met her just as, dressed for a
walk, she was leaving the little front
garden. She gave little cry and stood,
silent and shame.stricken, before him.
He saw the sorrow. but not the shame,
ard the sorrow misled him. The dread.
full livid pallor, the stony mask fell from
his face, as snow-wrenth melts in the
warm light Of the sun.
MY darling" he cried, IL knew II was
false-1 knew that you had not said III!
oh, thank heaven, thank heavenw lie
leaned, pale and breathless. against the
trunk Of an elm tree. ~ believe In you,
my darling. ! knew that you had not
| sanctioned IL; you could not-you hold my
| life in your hands. And yet why did you
come here? Why did you not write to
me? Speak TO me. Violet. for by the
| heaven above me swear that am going
mad!"
She was frightened, scared. Of the wild
eyes. the hOnrsc vote, the face 80 full Of
| pain. She dared not have said to him:
Il have made my choice. Felix, between
love and gold: have chosen gold" She
held out her hands to him. but started at
the touch Of his-thcy burned her like
fire.
"You are making yourself III. Felix"
she said.
I'M" he repeated--nnd his laugh was
more terrible TO her than any words.
| How would you feel, Violet. had any
one tried to tear the living, breathing
heart from your body? Oh. my darling,
tell me II II not truc--tcll me so. for
heavens sake! Say that II IL false--that
they persuaded you, urged you. wrote
without your knowledge! Speak TO me
| quickly, for ] am going mad"
She was only wOman-at the very
best q weak one--and she loved even
after the weak fashion In which some
women love. She could not endure the
sight Of his pain. She dared not tell him
the truth; she did what weak women 80
often d0--she temporixed.
II thought II best. Felix, toto give
you some years free that you might work
the better. should not like to be a bur-
den to you"
He drew deep breath, like one reliev-
ed from an intolerable load. from an I'M
bearable pain.
rs that all? Oh. my darling. my gen.
erous, noble Violet. Is that all? ! will
not reprOach you. But why have you
given me this fright? rhave been almost
dead. ! am fifty years older with these
hours Of horrible pain. Why did you no,
tell me what you dreadedI There il
nothing to fear, Violet. You shall have
home as beautiful as love can make L.
You shall have n life so easy and so free
from care that when II ends you will look
back In wonder to see how II has pass
ed"
Still she had not the courage TO look al
him and say, II love you. but I love
riches better-l have chosen them instead
Of you" She had not the courage to say
II In that hour. She was frightened ever
to remember IL.
"You are strangely silent, Violet" hs
said. "Have frightened your
"No," she replied; but you have star
tied me. You look so III. Felix, and sc
unlike your own self"
"No wonder, my darling" he returned
But l will not star,e you again-I viii
remember how sensitive you are"
Felix" she said, lyon should not love
me so much, dear. You know what
have always told you about idols Of clay.
II cannot help it; my mission In liz
is TO love you"
II cannot ask you to come In and SCI
me-" she said. "Miss Western does no
like gentlemen; she never receives Wis
itors."
~ must not stay longer" he said. 81
shall go back home a different man. j
Is a terrible thing to know that ones fat
lies altogether In the hands of single
creature; but when they are such true
sweet hands as yours, Violet, there Il
nothing to fear. will go back now I,
my work, which Is sweetened by my love
! shall go home happy because trust II
You and believe In you. ] shall neve
believe that you have changed to me I'm
Ill you tell me NO yourself. Good-by
darling; goOd-by."