Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-08-14
CHAPTER III.

be so pleased if it is so.''
CHAPTER III.
Violet Haye! There is something in a
name. More than one man murmured
this one over and over again, wondering
to himself what sweet magic what won
derful scenery lay in it. Violet Haye-
the very sound evoked vision so beauti-
full, so full of witching grace so dainty,
so delightful, that dwelling on it proved
too much for minds and brains not over,
strong.
There was a wonderful charm about
the girl. 1t was not simply for the sheen
of her golden hair, for the wonderful
light of her violet eyes, the exquisite
tints of her face, the beauty Of her rose
bud mouth, the men loved her so it was
not that she was tall and slender, with
a perfect figure; it was not that she had
white hands that wove wondrous spells,
that she moved with grace that was all
harmony, that she spoke with a voice
sweeter than sweet music, that, when she
laughed, the silvery chime stirred a mans
heart like the sound of silver bells; it
was not for this that men loved her. She
was not a fiirt, not a coquette-she never,
by word or look, made any man believe
that she loved him; but she could no more
have helped the way she had of charm
iRs men than she could have helped liy-
ing.
She was the only child of Francis and
Margaret Haye, who lived in a pretty
villa called The Lines. on the outskirts
of Lilford. BY kind indulgence the Hayes
were permitted to rank with the gentry.
They were not poor; they were not pro
fessionals;" they were not in trade. Fran
els Haye had an income that kept his
family in comfort, but it would cease at
his death. He had insured his life for
the benefit of his wife and child, and the
money that would come to them from
that Insurance was all that he had to
leave them; still they belonged to the
gentry. The gentry composed old Col
Maddox and his lady; Mrs. Brownson, a
widow with daughter of uncertain age;
the late rector's widow, Mrs. Baulders; a
maiden lady, Miss Stanley, the pride of
whose life was that her second cousin
had married a baronet, and a few others
Of the same caliber. 1t was not bril-
liant circle, but to Violet Haye it was a
world.
If of her numerous lovers she preferred
one, it was Felix Lonsdale. 1t was an
old story. He had certainly been her
lover from the early age of seven. He had
never thought of anyone else; to him the
world was all Violet. In the suns rays
shone Violet; the birds sang Violet" no
sweet flower bloomed that was as sweet
as she. He had lived with this one
thought; he had studied, worked, toiled-
all for Violet, hoping that the day would
come when he would be able to marry
her.
New was his opportunity. He was al
ready making fair income by writing
reviews and essays, If his father took
him into partnership, his share, though
perhaps small at first. would be certain
and would increase. Now was his oppor-
tunity; he would delay no longer, but
would at once ask Violet to be his wife.
This afternoon seemed to Felix Ions
dale one of the fairest that he ever re-
membered He walked through the clover
meadows, his heart singing for joy,
snatches of song rising to his lips. The
hedges were all pink end white with
hawthorn, long sprays of woodbine twin
ed round the rugged trunks of the tall
trees, the clover was thick and odorous.
He crossed the path at the end of Oak
woods and reached the fair, green fields
that led to The LINES, the home of his
love.
Presently he saw Violet Haye. He
gazed at her in mute wonder that earth
should hold anything so fair. She car
-. and
on her golden head she wore simple
garden hat. She was walking in the 9TH
er direction, and he FASTENED after her.
Il was no wonder that he loved her;
the smiles with which she greeted him
would have turned many wiser brain
than his.
Felix" she cried, 81 did not dream of
seeing you"
They walked together until they reach
ed an opening in the lawn; there was a
bank gay with wild flowers, hedge full
of wild roses. and hawthorns crowned IT.
Felix took the basket from her hand and
placed her on the bank.
Il have come to talk to you, Violet,
he said You must forget your flowers
for a few minutes and listen 10 me. Such
day as this, Violet. was made for a
love story. have an idea that every
thing in nature is interested in mine.
But we are not lovers, Felix she
said. gravelv.
Then ] hope we soon shall be. have
a fancy. Violet. that every bird singing
in the trees knows why I am here.
Then" observed Violet, they are
wiser than t.
h~5~hNo-
than you; but it was an idle, pretty
fancy. Violet As | walked under the
great shady trees every leaf seemed to
stir-as passed. the roses in the hedges
nodded; they said, The sun shines and
the earth is sair: now is the time for
youth and love-"
Violet looked up with resigned Little
sigh.
Not being either bird or flower,
am not in their confidence, Felix"
II have such good news. Violet. Mrs
Hardman. one Of my fathers clients, IA:
1 left him six thousand pounds.
/ six thousand pounds, That Is great
deal Ct money, IS it not. Felix"
Yes. very great deal. But this is the
important thing-my father viii now giy'
me partnership
Yes. Feiix-what theue8
Il have ore hundred year that M
dear mother left me; / make quite an
ether hy reviews and articles for lega
! papers-shat makes two hundred. saes
from the business am sure 10 obtain a
least three hundred more-that viii CIV
me FIRE hundred year. Violet; aud, RI
darling. there IS a beautiful little cottas'
near oakwoodS. and-oh. Violet, Violet
WIN you be my wifes'
How cruel Of Jon" she said. IN so's