Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-09-04
CHAPTER VIII.

throw II away.
CHAPTER VIII.
Sir Owen had sent out invitations for a
great fete, and Mrs. Haye declared that
it was fortunate rain fell two days be-
fore. 1t cleared the air, it freshened the
grass, it washed the dust from the trees
and hedges, and it made the whole face
Of nature so sweet. so fresh and fair,
that it was a pleasure to breathe. The
air was odorous with the sceat of flow
ers and Of green leaves.
Sir Owen in his sumptuoasly appoint
ed carriage drove up to The Lines. Moth
ing could have exceeded his kindness-he
was SO attentive to Francis Kaye, so kind
to Mrs. Haye, so deferential 10 Violet.
Again she felt how pleasant it was. She
saw deep satisfaction on her sather's
face, great pride on her mothers. She
was young and needless, and on such an
exquisite June day how could she help
feeling bright and happy? Moreover, she
held something in her hand which glad
dened her heart. Just as she was start
ing, while Sir Owen stood waiting for
her, messenger came with a note from
Felix:
My Darling Violet: send few words
to greet y0u as you are starting, and to
wish you very pleasant, happy visit.
You will MOI forget me? You will say to
yourself over and over again that you
are pledged 70 me? I trust you implicit
". You love me, and am content"
How he loved her, She repeated it
again and again. How he loved her! The
little note pleased her. She drove away,
with Sir Owen whispering all kinds of
compliments to her; but her lovers face
was before her eyes and his words were
in her heart. They drove through the
magnificent park, with its herd Of antler-
cd deer, through the superb grounds. TO
the grand entrance, and then Violet look
ed mp in wonder.
The afternoon sun fell full upon the
grand old building, showing the towers
and turrets, the deep oriel windows, the
Venetian balconies bringing out the pic
turesqUe outlines of the noble edifice. She
hardly knew that such splendor could be;
unconsciously she crushed her lovers lit
tie note in her hand as she beheld the
treasures on the walls.
She passed through long, broad CORR
DORIS where white marble statues gleam-
eel from among pyramids of choice flow
ets; she gazed on glorious. pictures and
picturesque fountains; and al the time
Sir Owen walked by her side Whispering
gay, pretty compliments. They came to
the drawing room at last--a large, lofty
room with an exquisitely painted ceiling,
and bright with flowers and statues. In
the midst of all the magnificence stood
Lady Rolfe, with smile on her face,
waiting to receive them. She welcomed
them with courtly, kindly words, and in
all she said she was seconded by her
daughter Lavinia. Sir Owen. she said.
had asked her to assist him, and she had
for time undertaken the duties of hos
tess.
What a ver-to-be-forgotten evening
it was Her greatest difficulty was in
keeping herself from expressing her won
der. She went to the drawing room and
found two or three other ladies' She had
an uneasy consciousness that they were
all talking about her as she entered, for
they stopped suddenly and looked at her
curiously. But Lady Rolfe introduced
her, and they were so startled by her
striking beauty that they were more than
civil to her. Sir Owen almost followed
her into the room. How his eyes bright
ened as he saw her,
For girl like that to marry a coun-
try solicitor, to hide such beauty as hers
in a place like Lilford, is simply mad
ness" he said to himself. "She will thank
me in after years for saving her from
such a fate"
Then he went up to her, and scarcely
left her all the evening. 1t was against
the laws of etiquette for him to take her
down to dinner; but Lady Rolfe accepted
his apology with a smile. The astute lady
had explained the motives of her policy
to Layinia.
Il understand Sir Owen" she said eff
anyone opposes him he will lose his rea-
son over the girl. Place no obstacle in
the way of his admiration, and he will
soon tire of her. He cannot marry her,
for she is engaged to Felix Lonsdale."
So, with great amiability, Lady Rolfe
had accepted Sir Owens invitation to act
as hostess for three or four days. She
had determined that she would give him
every opportunity of being with Violet.
on the principle that the more he saw of
her the sooner he would tire of her.
The next morning was bright and
warm. There was a hurried breakfast
everyone seemed TO have so much to do;
from early dawn men had been at work
in the park. Sir Owen came downstairs
radiant.
''Who will say one word against Eng
lish weather sitter this" he cried; then,
when he shw Violet, he bowed low TO her.
The queen of the fete." he whispered.
oD1 he hfusho.1 she hoa him
The post-bag came as they sat at
breakfast, ana there was a note for her;
she saw that il was from Felix, and put
il aside until she should be alone. Look
ing up suddenly she saw Sir Owen watch
ing her intently, aud again a hot flush
burned her face. He did not leave her
everything was referred TO her: her
wishes. her tastes We're continually con-
suited
My dear Lavinia. said Lady Rolfe
with appraised hands. III is something in
credihle-he treats her Just as though she
were the mistress of this house. Ii is
quite enough 10 turn any girls brain"
Though he spent his whole time with
her, Sir owen did not forget her parents.
Francis Haye declared that he was in
clover" his wife had never been so hap
ny: they We're waited upon and attended
to before everyone elSe--they had every
luxury, every attention.
The guests arrived early. Everything
was success, but the erowning satisfac-
ton of all was that the weather was 50
fine. Violet found time to read her low
er's note: it said how disappointed he VAS
that be could not come 70 Garswood; but
70 attend the fete. even FOR one hour. was
an impoSSihility for him. His father had
had very serious relapse. and be could
not leave the Office. She was sorry: yet
she could not understand how il was she
experienced q certain feeling of relief
her present triumph was so great. and
she enjoyed il so thoroughly. 1t must all
have ended when Felix came.
Il was a brilliant fete. she bad seen
nothing ike il il her life. The fete at
the yiearage, which had always seemed 70
her the very acme of aristoeratic gayesy,
dwindled into insignihcance. The sun
had seldom shone on more brilliant
scene: flags and banners waved from the