Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-09-15

not be angry with me, Felix. know II
Is the poorest Of excuses-but 1t is true;
cannot help 1t. 1t was Of no use going
on In the same dreary way. 1t must
have come to an end some time"
"Let me quite understand" he said;
'let me make no mistake this time. What
have you done, violetY"
II have not done anything: but 1t seems
better that we should part. No good can
come of our engagement; 1t was mis-
take"
He held up his head with such dignity,
such passion Of despair, that she was 81.
fenced. The false. light words, the false.
light excuses, all withercd into nothing.
and she knew that she stood In the pres
sion. All her little affections, her mis-
cradle apologies, became as nothing be.
fore Felix's heart-rcnding distress and
hopelessness.
"You promised to love me, and me
alone, until death-,lo you mean 10 keep
that promise? No OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
truthfully--'Yes' or MOI do you mean to
keep that promise? Speak. Violet"
But he had to bend low to hear her
answer; 1t was a whispered mo"
"You promised to marry me, to be my
wife. to spend your life with me and
brighten mine. Do you mean to keep that
promise? speak-'Yes' or NO."
mo-" she whispered again.
will you tell me why you refuse me,
violet?"
Again she took courage at the seeming
Indifference Of his tone.
~ cannot, Felix" she said. you will
Rnd many another more suited to be your
wife than am. I am not 80 noble as you
have always thought me, Felix. I love
wealth and luxury--1 love magnifcence,
| I should never be content In the little
home that you would give me-there
would not be enough to iii my life.
felt that when stood In It. asked my.
self how I should live through the long
years there. should be miserable, and
you would be miserable, too"
| He looked ut her In amazement.
"Would not love content your" he ask
ed.
The golden head dropped before him
She was ashamed Of the words she hat
to speak.
mo, It would not content me-" she re
piled. "You deem me better, wiser ant
noblcr than T am. There are hundred,
Of good and noble women In the worlt
who ask only for love and are conten
with 1t. Seek one Of those, Felix; they
are worthier than l."
"Hushw he cried again. "Do not "a,
such words; many man has taken thu
life Of the woman he loved for less thar
that"
She shrank back from him with pale
scared face; he smiled one Of the saddest
bittcrest smiles she had ever seen ON
human face.
Have no fear, Violet; I spoke withou
] reflection. You cannot think I meant I,
threaten you-yOu, every hair Of who's
head II dearer to me than my own life
Love would not content you, ViOlet!"
mo. I may as well tell you the truth
was ignorant Of many things when
promised to marry you. did not know
what riches meant-what luxury or mag
ni6cence was-what luxury or pleasur,
comprised"
"And you know now?" he said whe,
she paused.
Yes, / know now, and I cannot d
without them"
"You forsake me. then. for rich love
you give up my love foiAgold? Say Il
plain words that you do 80; do not le
there be chance Of mistake, Violet--d
not let any false halo linger round you
memory In the years to come. You Civ
me up because have not none
enough?"
YES" she replied; but the word cam
slowly and with great reluctance.
IT shall not regret you, Violet; you ar
not worth regret" he said.
But she cried out:
do not be SO hard. Felix; II ar
weaker than q woman"
"You are indeed" he said, gravely
"Some women's weakness Is half divine
yours is--well, ] will give 1t no name;
know none that describes anything one
half SO false"
He laughed aloud, and pleasure-lovin
Violet Haye wished never to hear sue
another laugh.
The laugh died away In low wall, an
the next moment he was gone. and sh
stood there weeping for that which Oh
could never recall.