Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-08-25
CHAPTER v.-,Continued.)


earth, no power Of man, should take her
from him. She was his own, and nc
would hold her until life was ended. Then
he owned to himself that Mr.. Hayc was
right-cruclly right-that without money,
with an invalid father, q falling business,
he could not take wife. 1t was right to
defer It. lie must be patient. After all,
he had not lost her, he reflected. She
was still his own.
Have you got some good news there,
Felix?" asked the feeble voice OF his
father; and the next moment Felix had
represscd the emotion so rapidly master.
ing him as he crushed the letter In his
hand. =.
1T Is only a note from Violet, father"
he replicd: md the satisfied smile on his
fathers face rewarded him. .,,,
Darcy Lonsdale knew that while Violet
was true TO his idolizcd son nothing else
would hurt him.
They were aione--father and son-for
Kate had gone to the nursery-when the
hall.door bell rang. Felix said, cheerful
~:
"fIere Il q visitor"
Sew visitors will come here; we have
lost fortune, not found one" said Darcy
AOuSuuIe, WIZ uuu ueNei sponSn " ~"
ical word before.
It was a visitor, and one whom they
were both well content to sec. 1t was
Evelyn Lester, with basket OF grapes
and delicacics Of all kinds for the invalid.
and, what was better still, with the light
Of love and kindness on her sweet face,
and with words Of sympathy on. her lips.
As Felix saw her bending over his faith
er he half wished for moment that VIC.
let had done something like this-had
come to see them In their distress.
1t was a pretty picture-the invalid IT,
ing on his couch, the girl with her sweet
face and earnest eyes bending over him,
and. watching them ut distance, the
handsome son. The fire burned bright
~. the lamps were lighted, while outside
the north wind walled mournfully.
Evelyn took up bunch Of ripe purple
grapes.
IT want to see you cat some Of these"
she said. Mrs. Lonsdale told me that
you ate nothing yesterday" And taking
the grapes out one by one In her white
fingers she held them to his lips.
How could he refuse? He was so weak
and feeblcf, he had been so completely
crushed by cruel words, that the girls
simple kindness moved him.
II have been heart.broken, Eve" be
said. II did not care to get WELL"
"You will live It down." she returned,
gently; land those who have doubted you
will be the first to feel ashamed Of their
injustice"
"You have never doubted me. Ever"
"Oh, never! How could !? ! should
doubt oil the world first."
Then She from her chair and knelt
down BY his side. She took both bis
hands such thin, worn hands!-in hers,
and held them there.
II came to soy something to you, Mr..
Lonsdale." said she; ''and now that am
here have hardly the courage. Promise
not to be angry with me-"
II could not be II ! tried, dear child"
he replied.
Her face flushed, and the light deepen.
ed 10 her eyes.
"You have known me oil my life" she
said-"have you not lever since ] came
here, o little, friendless child"
"Yes, II 10 true, Eve"
"And you have always been kind to me-
have come to you In score Of childish
troubles, and you were always kind to
me- Now + want you to let me repay you
for all your kindness. She spoke Sc
quickly that he could not interrupt her
II want to help you. You know that
have money, plenty Of money, oil lying
idle-for ! want none, aud Aunt Jane
will not touch It. Do accept II; let me
give It to you. shall never want It, fol
I shall never marry. ID take II; you
would make me happier than anyone In
the wide world IL you would. am &C
grieved and so sorry that would 90 on,
and work for you IL you would let me. II
you will not accept II, borrow II unit
you can repay me. DO not refuse me
let me help YOU"
Felix had come nearer TO her, listening
In wonder to the passionate words. Mr.
Lonsdale drew the fair head down nearer
to him.
80 you would give me oil your for
tune, Ever
There was glad light In her eyes whe,
she raised them to hin
II would-double my fortune, II hat
IT," she replied.
"And why, Eve--tell me why you woul,
be 80 good to me?"
The rich crimson flush burned her fai
face. She knew why, but she could NO
tell him.
because ! love you all, and you ar
my dearest friends" she replied.
my dear Evelyn" said Darcy Ions
dale-and his voice was broken with emo
tion-"hOw shall ! thank your"
An expression Of perfect rapture cam
over the girls face.
"You will let me do it?" she cried. "Yov
have made me one OF the happiest girl
In the world"
The thin hand clasped hers, the sunkel
eyes looked tenderly into hers.
"Will let you give 1t to me, my dear
est Evef NO--a thousand times no!
Is not Cor the money am thanking you
but for the thought the intention. YO
have gladdened my heart, you have glad
dened my life-yOu have given me tn
courage to get better, you have given m
hope. shall be 80 much better for you
coming"
But that Is not the point" she cried
"Dear Mr.. Lonsdale, do accept tn
money. All, II you knew how little
care for It, and how much ! care for 20
III you knew the pleasure 1t would Civ
me, you could not Refused"
He drew the sweet face down to hi
and kissed 1t.
MY dear Eve, would rather have thi
offer made to me than any other. 70
have restored some Of my self'esteen
child-some Of my self.respect."
Evelyn looked up In wonder, for Fell
had bent down and kissed her hand. II
gazed at the sweet, flushed face wit
wonder.
"Eve." he said, "you are an angel!
shall never forget what you have sal
and done I shall never forget that yO