Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-09-01
were the mistress of this house. It

Ply; they were waited upon and attended
TO before everyone clsc-thcy had every
luxury. every attention.
The guests arrived early. Everything
was a success. but the cfowning satisfac-
ton of all was that the weather was so
fine. Violet found time to read her low
er's note il said how disappointed he was
that he could not come to Garswood: but
TO attend the fctc, even for one hour, was
an impossibility for him. His father had
had a very serious relapse, and he could
not leave the office. She was sorry; yet
she could not understand how 1t was she
experienced certain feeling of relief
her present triumph was so great and
she enjoyed it so thoroughly. 1t must all
have ended when Felix came.
II was q brilliant fetc: she had seen
nothing like IL in her life. The fcte at
the vicarage, which had always seemed to
her tho very acme Of aristocratic gaycty,
| dwindled into insignifcancc. The sun
| had seldom shonc on II more brilliant
| scene: flags and banners waved from tile
| tall trees there were nunlcrgis evergreen
| arches, marques. ana an infnity OF
| amuscmcnts The music from the bands
echoed through the park.
ut is very beautiful" said Violet, as
she stood with Sir Owen watching the
various groups.
| ''Tf you are pleased | am well rcpaid,'
he said. "Do you not know that would
give all I have to please youI l would
do all this over and over again to win
one smile from YOU
Suddenly. standing there she remem-
bercd u promise to Felix. that she would
tell Sir Owen she was to be his wife.
How was she to do IL? She could not
turn round to him abruptly and say: II
! am going to marry Felix Ionsdale." She
was tempted to do so. but IL would lie too
brusquc. IL shall find an opportunity
during the evening"" she thought. 81 can
easily make one. but not ut present. l
will enjoy myself now"
lie led her to the summit Of the hill
to a rustic seat under the larches.
II was thinking all last night" he said,
"that I would bring you here to-day. l
want you to look well around you. See
how the sun shines on Garswood! Look
at the Hall first"
1t was, a magnificent panorama that
was spread out before her. Not the least
important feature In II was the grand old
Hall. with its towers and turrets. lie
| stOOu ny ncr sue.
ut is a noble property" she said.
"Yes; there Is not larger or better
estate In England. and the beauty Of II Il
that II lies all together. ] am lord of the
SOIL" he said. "for many miles round.
know no other place 30 fine rs Garswood
Violet Haye, all this Is mine; and, II 20,
will speak only one word. IT shall all b
yours"
She turned to him with startle,
glance.
II do not understand YOU" she de
clarcd. "How could II be mine"
1T can all be yours IL you will MARI!
me, Violet" he whispered.
Her beautiful face grew pale as death
II cannot marry you,' she replied
quickly.
"Why not. Violet? Tell me why"
,, Because I am engaged to marry Fell!
Lonsdalc."
us that all? What on earth does tina
matter? He ought to be- ashamed Of him
/. self to presume to usk such girl ~ go
to marry him; he must bc mad to thin
a.; You would"
o He loves me-" she said, quietly.
o $50 do $50 do many others. You mus
o not marry him, Violet; he has no money
). no influence, no position: his father Is III
n der q cloud which must darken the son
!. future. You cannot marry him; 1t woul
be madness"
q II am engaged TO him." she replied.
. As IL that mattcred! Engagement
q like yours are broken every day; 1t
!. the commonest thing In the world-no on
@ thinks anything Of it."
}: do you know, Sir Owen" she sale
!. shat IL l were false to Felix Lonsdal
Q II would break his hearty"
Sir Owen laughed aloud.
J. my dear Miss Haye; lawyers have u
l. hearts. lie might lose his temper; bu
= men never break their hearts--a goo
d cigar will cure the most desperate loy
@ affair. You amuse me-"
q II hope you are speaking falsely" sh
o said. II hope men are better than 20
y paint them"
"They are all very much alike, IN
u dear Violet" he returned. 1T Is moi
d refreshing to hear that you think an
?, man capable OF breaking his heart"
d "Ah! but you do not know Felix Lon
n dale. You do not know how he low,
y met"
j, II never wish to know Felix Lonsdale
u he told her. II have no Partially II
T. men under cloud. know how niue
| love you, and that IL more to the point
IL She shrank from him with pale, sea
10 ed face. She did not like this discussie
n. Of her lover.
ID "YOu marry this man who Is under
ID cloud" he went on. "He takes you
re some wretched little home; he works d.
d. and night, yet can hardly get none
pr enough for his expenses; you spend Il
ID prime OF your life and lose the glory
Pr your beauty In a helpless struggle
IN make both ends meet; and you die befO
ID your time, your beauty faded and gOn
t. worn Out-even in the prime Of life.
say that II Is crying shame for such
u marriage to take place. You see the d
RS ference. Violet?"
o. "Yes. l see II, Sir Owen; but"
IN "Then," he interrupted, 1--WE will n
III talk about 1t to-day. You shall think
well over; you will be Of my opinion 500
" Now we will go back again. The til
81 moment ] saw you ! meant to win yo
=, Violet. ! swOrc to myself that You shou
~ be mine. You have promised me {
" first dance tonight, remember"
" Violet looked exquisitely lovely VIII
she was dressed for the ball. Admir-
u eyes followed her every movement.
~ was agreed that the beautiful girl
", ", white and silver, with a crown Of sily
III leaves, was certainly the belle par exc
~ lence.
She was so brilliant, so gay, so 1
ne chanting, that Sir Owen grew every n
ct ment more hOpelessly in love with h
ne peODle could think whit they liked ahO