Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-09-29

She could not rests. saying:
II shout! enjoy II e much more II you
were with ne, Owea."
"Oh. no, you would not" he laughed
carclcssly; "you only fancy so. You and
your mother will have so much to talk
about that really could not stand 1t. You
know--I could not. indeed. ] will be there
in the evening, and will drive you back
home"
She knew that to say more would be
quite useless, so she made the best of the
arrangement. After ak there were many
delights before her. She had superb
costume, trimmed with costly sable. and
she was to wear that for the first time.
Her heart beat as she thought of the
pleasure of driving in her magnificent
carriage through the streets Of Lilford
in her Partisan costume.
81 hope that + shall meet Lady Rolfe,"
she said, "just for the pleasure Of cutting
her!"
She drove at once to The Lines, and
was met with the kindcst of welcomes.
II should have gone to meet you. Vic.
let. had known that you were coming"
said Mrs. Haye.
But Lady Chevenix thought that under
the circumstances it was just as well she
had not come.
They went to the drawing room togeth-
or. Francis Haye was more Of an invalid
than usual that day. and his daughter.
hearing that he was asleep, would not
have him disturbed.
LET us have n long talk. mamma" she
said. IL have SO much to tell you"
They sat down 70 exchange condolences,
and Mrs. Hayc almost trcmbled with de-
light as she looked at her daughter.
'How well you look, Violet. she said.
what q superb dress. and how il be-
comes you! Are you very happy. my
dcarT'
AS happy as other people. I suppose,
mamma. | am very rich--and that must
mean that am very happy. 1t will take
me whole day to show you my dresses
and Jewels"
They talked long. and not unhappily.
Presently Violet produced her presents.
Mrs. Haye went into a rapture about q
dress Of Genoa velvet and some superb
Mechlin lace. After that Violet began to
inquire about her old friends.
Mamma" said Lady Chcvenix, with
a slight flush on her face, what do they
say In Lilford about my marriage and
meY'
"What can they say, my dear? Every.
one envies you, everyone talks about your
wonderful marriage"
Violet took up the rich tassels of her
dress and played with them. She never
raised her eyes to her mothers face.
But do they-l mean. have they said
that did wrongY"
"Wrong!' cried Mrs. Haye. "why
should they? Which of them would not
have done the same thing? Which Of
| them would not be pleased to do the same
wrongY'
| Lady Chevenix looked relieved.
II was afraid they would say r had
acted unfairly" she said. slowly. "AIam
ma, how are the Lonsdales! How Is
| Fclixy'
There was brief silence before the
| question was answered. and then Mrs
Haye told her wonderful story.
"You have never heard OF such a
change Of fortune. Violet" she said: III
Is almost as wonderful as your own: ]
can hardly understand II. The Lonsdnles
seem to have all the business Of the town
now, md Of the county, too. They have
Il cannot tell how many clerks; they
give grand dinner parties; and. what
seems to me stranger still, they are FIRE
| quently invited to Brambcr Towers"
I'VE shall visit there. / suppose" re-
marked Lady Chevenix. II am YER,
pleased indeed to hear all this. mamma
II any family ever did deserve good for
tune they did. They are recognized b,
the county now, ! suppose?"
YES, quite. Lady Rolfe has taken
them up. hear Of nothing but the Ions
dalcs."
There was silence again for some min
utes. and then Violet said, slowly:
"And Felix, mamma-have YOU seer
him since my marriageY"
mo, not once, my dear," was Mrs
Hayes reply. II need hardly say tina,
he has never been here"
"Do they say-do they know II HI
thought much of 1t? Did he make 9
great trouble OF IL. mammai" she asked
II cannot say" replied the cautious
mother; II have never heard the subject
mentioned"
Lady Chevcnix was silent again. Aftel
a little while she said. quickly:
II should like TO ask you one question
more: Does Fclix-has he found anyon,
else to care about YETI"
L
IT have not heard so. Violet, my dear
you have every blessing the world car
give; do not think about him. And. 4
you will take my advice, you will not tall
about him; Sir Owen might not like It,"
II shall be careful, mamma; shall no
speak Of him. But l wanted to hea
about him just once"
She said no more then, but as she sa
In the familiar room she thought a grea
deal OF hint was impossible TO help II
The quick eyes noted how completely ev
cry trace OF him had been removed. Th,
books that he had given her, the pictures
were all gone.
"They need not have banished every
thing" she said TO herself.
Later on Sir Owen came, and the!
spent a pleasant hour together. But ther,
was n dreamy look on the lovely face, {
softened light In the clear eyes; she coul,
not help thinking Of the past bright, girl
ish life that had been so simply happy
Felix had been part Of that life. and sh'
could not help remembering him whel
she thought Of II. As she drove HON,
she said to herself:
II do not think ! shall 90 to The Lime
very often. After all, the pain Is as grca
as the pleasure"
But she did not own what the pail
was.