Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-08-11
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER ii.
Violet Haye! There 10 something In q
name. More than one man murmured
this one over and over again, wondering
TO himself what sweet magic, what won.
derful scenery lay In II. Violet Haye-
the very sound evoked vision no beauti-
full, 40 full Of witching grace, SO dainty,
NO delightful, that dwelling on II proved
too much for minds und 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 40; II was
not that she was tall aud slender, with
q perfect figure; II was not that she had
white hands that wovc wondrOus spells,
that she moved with grace that was all
harmony, that she spoke with q voice
sweetcr than sweet music, that, when she
laughed, the silvery chime stirred mans
heart like the sound Of silver bells; II
was not for this that men loved her. She
was not fiirt, not c0Quette-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.
Ing men than she could have helped liv.
Ing.
She was the only child Of Francis and
Margaret Haye, who lived In q pretty
villa called The Lines. on the outskirts
Of Lilford. BY kind indulgence the Hayes
were permitted to rank with the gentry.
s:E % VIII 's S S X is. Sstr 4sS
els Haye had an income that kept hIs
family In comfort, but II would cease NJ
his death. He hid insured his life foy
the benefit Of his wife and child, and the
money that would come to them from
that Insurance was oil that he had "a
leave them; still they belonged to the
gentry. The gentry composed old Col
Maddox and his lady; Mrs. Brownson, q
widow with daughter OF uncertain age
the late rector's widow, Mrs. Baulders; q
maiden lady, Miss Stanley, the pride Of
whose life was that her second cousin
had married a baronet, and q few other,
| Of the same caliber. II was not q bril-
liant circle, but to Violet Haye It was I
world.
II OF her numerous lovers she preferred
one, II was Felix Ionsdale. 1t was ~
old story. lie had certainly been he
lover from the early age Of seven. He ha,
never thought Of anyone else; to him tn,
world was all Violet. In the suns ray,
shOne Violet; the birds sang "ViOlet;" ~
sweet flower blOOmed that was as swee
~ she. He had lived with this ont
thought; he had studied. worked. tOiled-
all for Violet. hoping that the day w0ul,
come when he would be able to MARI!
her.
Now was his opportunity. He was al
ready making a fair income by writinl
reviews and essays. II his father tool
him into partnership. his share, thougl
perhaps small ut first, would be certail
aud would increase. Now was his Oppor
tunity; he would delay no longer, bu
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 Glove
meadows, his heart singing for 10,
snatches Of song rising to his lips. IN
hedges were all pink aud white wit
hawthorn, long sprays OF woOdbine twin
I'd round the rugged trunks Of the tn
trees, the clover was thick and OdOroul
He crossed the path at the end OF Gal
woods and reached the fair, green field
that led to The Lines, the home OF b
love.
Presently he saw Violet Haye. II
gaxed at her In mute wonder that cart
should hold anything SO fair. She ca
ried a little basket filed with flowers, IN
on her golden head she wore simp
, garden hat. She was walking In the 'otl
er direction. and he FASTENED after her.
. 1t was no wonder that he loved he
the smiles with which she greeted hi
would have turned many wiser brai
J than his.
"Felix," she cried, II did not dream I
seeing you"
. They walked together until they reac
ed an opening In the lawn; there was
bank gay with wild flowers, hedge ~
. OF wild roses, and hawthOrns crowned
Felix took the basket from her hand al
. placed her on the bank.
II have come to talk to you, Violet
he said. "You must forget your Aowe
T for few minutes and listen to me. su'
: q day ~ this, Violet, was made for
love story. have an idea that ever
Q thing In nature II interested In mine"
. "But We are not lovers, Fslix." d
!, said. sravsly.