Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-09-11
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
Luncheon was laid on the table, elab-
orately spread with handsome plate, cost
~ fruit-every luxury that could gladden.
the heart of man. When Sir Owen sat
down Mr.. Haye expressed his regret at
leaving so magnificent and hospitable a
house. His host looked up with slight
laugh-a keen observer would have seen
that he was agitated.
81 am glad you like the place" he said.
II have been asking your daughter to re-
main here"
A warning touch from his wife told
Francis Haye that he was to remain ST
lent. She looked at and addressed Sir
Owen.
Il do not understand you. How could
Violet remain here without usT
''As my wife. Mrs. Haye. If she viii
only consent, Garswood and its master,
with all that it contains, shall be hers
Mrs. Haye rose slowly and drew her
shawl round her shoulders.
You are very kind, Sir Owen" she
said, dryly, "and l am sure that Violet
must be quite battered by your generous
offer; but-she has promised to marry
Felix Lonsdale."
THAT promise should not bind her." he
cried, eagerly. 1T was won from her
under false pretenses. 1t will be a crying
shame if you allow her TO keep it,"
80 | think" said Mrs. Haye, as she
dew on her gloves; but am quite pow
erless in the matter" Nor would she
hear another word.
She FASTENED their departure, and Sir
laf &. fhor 10 ri
home. He remained at The Lines with
them for an hour or two, and it was Mrs.
Haye who reminded him that his guests
were waiting.
Il do not care for my guests" he said.
II care only for you. If you will not go
back with me you must let me stop here. "
and she had great difficulty in persuading
MIN to go.
Not one word about Sir Owen was said
to Violet after his departure.
Leave it all to me, Francis" said Mrs
Haye to her husband. IF you interfere
you will mar it all. Leave it to me, and
do not utter a single word"
Later on in the evening Felix came
and Violet saw that he looked anxious
worn and hagsard. Mrs Haye had never
received him more kindly. Mr.. Haye was
tired, and had gone to his own room
Mrs. Haye made Felix sit down with
them, and began to talk to him about his
father, his family, the business, and his
prospects.
The simple, noble-hearted young fellow
opened his whole heart to herr he told
her all his sorrow and distress about his
father-how he had been out, and had
met someone who had spoken to him
harshly in respect of the will case, and
the consequence "a been severe re.
lapse.
''The fact is" said Felix, that my
father is breaking his honest heart, Mrs
Haye.'
ut is very sad" she returned-"very
sad, and very hopeless. OF course, if he
gets no better, the maintenance of the
whole family will fall upon you, Felix?
Yes, ne replied, 1T will fall upon me.
/ cannot desert them. | must work for
my mother and the little Ones"
I'm that case, my poor boy" she asked,
what will you do with a wife,"
He knelt down by Violet's side and took
her hand in his He kissed it with pas
sion that could not be told.
What shall L do with wife," he
cried. ASK me rather what | shall dc
without one Ny wife will be my haven
my rest, my hope. my refuge-will give
me courage and hope and fortitude. She
will give strength TO my mind, my heart
my brain; my wife will be the whole
world to me-
Yes agreed Mrs. Hays, ge%y; but
Felix, how are you TO keep her! How is
she to live? You could not take a wife
home to Vale House, to an invalid faith
er, stepmother, and all those children
mo; | should make a home Of my
own he replied. "Ah, you do not know
how ] love Yiolef-how + should work
hov, | should toll day and night for her.
would keep both homes" Then he look
ell up into Violet's face. You would
h,lp me, my darling. would you not? You
would dispense with Injuries for time
only for a time2 You would be the nerve
of my arm, the strength of my soul You
love me enough 10 help me over a few
troublesome years. and then fortune will
smile on me. You love me enough for
that. sweetheart
'Yes. love yoa." she whispered
Mrs. Haye rose from, her seat and said
she must go to her husband. She left
Felix kneeling at her daughters feet
when she was gone he buried his face in
the silken folds of Violet's dress: ne kiss
ed them. he kissed her hands. he called
her by every endearing name.
1T has seemed to me like an eternity, :
he said. "0h. Violet, you must never GO
away from me for three days again!
Every hour has seemed year long. Let
me look into your eyes, and see if you
love me as yen did when you went"
"Yes. just as much" she said.
and all the luxury, the pleasure, the
admiration, has not robbed me OF one
beat OF yonr hearth
mo, not one" she replied.