Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-09-18
~. KS
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/ Medded for Gold |
4 ny RRRTHE N. CLAY
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ence of a mighty sorrow, a mighty pas
sion. All her little affections. her mis-
cradle apologies. became as nothing be-
fore Felix's heart-rending distress and
hopeiessness.
you promised to love ME, and me
alone, until death-do you mean Co keep.
that promise? No prevarication speak
truthfully-'Yes' or NO. do you mean to
keep that promise? Speak, Vielet."
But he had to bend low to hear her
answer; it was a whispered Me-
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."
No" she whispered again.
"Will you tell me why you refuse me,
yioletg
Again she took courage at the seeming
indifference of his tone.
Il cannot, Felix" she said You will
find many another more suited TO be your
wife than | am. am not so noble as You
have always thought me, Felix. love
wealth and luxuryI love magnifcence.
l should never be content in the little
home that you would give me-there
would not be enough to fill my life. |
felt that when | stood in it, | asked my
self how | should live through the long
years there. | should be miserable, and
you would be miserable, too"
He looked at her in amazement.
Would not love content you!' he ask
ed.
The golden head dropped before him.
She was ashamed of the words she had
to speak.
mo, it would not content me-" she re-
piled You deem me better, wiser and
nobler than 1 am There are hundreds
who ask only for love and are content
with it. Seek one of those Felix; they
are worthier than ]"
-'Hush!'' he cried again. DO not say
such words; many man has taken the
life of the woman he loved for less than
that
She shrank back from him with a pale,
scared face; he smiled one of the saddest,
bitterest smiles she had ever seen on a
human face.
Have no fear, Violet: spoke without
reflection. You cannot think I meant to
threaten you-you every hair of whose
head is dearer to me than my own life.
Love would not content you, Yiolet?'
mo. / 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
nifcence was-what luxury or pleasure
comprised"
And you know now?'' he said when
she paused.
Yes. l know now, and cannot do
without them"
"You forsake me, then, for a rich lover
you give up my love for gold? Say in
there be a chance of mistake, Violet-do
not let any false halo linger round your
memory in the years to come You give
me up because L have not money
enough?"
Yes" she replied; but the word came
slowly and with great reluctance
II shall not regret you, Violet; you are
not worth regret!" he said.
But she cried out:
do not be so hard, Felix; IL am
weaker than woman"
You are indeed" he said, grayeIy.
Some women's weakness is half divine;
yours is-well, | will give it no name; |
know none that describes anything one
half so false"
He laughed aloud, and pleasure-loving
Violet Haye wished never to hear such
another laugh.
The laugh died away in low wall, and
the next moment he was gone, and she
stood there weeping for that which she
could never recall.