The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-08-27

he pressed the hand which rested on
the piano, surely you know-you
must know that 1 love you"
Flush! You forget who l am. Don't
be so foolish as to dream of marrying
n penniless girl. Remember Miss Hay.
ward Will be OF age tomorrow. and
she will then have complete control
over an immense fortune-a fortune
which Will be more than sufficient 10
enable you TO fulfill your Hottest am
billions"
"Violet. darling. beg OF you not to
mention her name to me again. 1t Is
quite impossible that she could ever
be my wife. What do l care for her
wealth or her possessions? One word
from you would make me n thousand
times happier than all the riches in the
world"
Don't make rash promises. you slk
ly boy. or course you will marry Miss
Hayward. and 1 shall be one OF the
first to congratulate you on your en-
Gagement."
IF you care so very little" he said
bitterly, "at least do not mock my
feelings. I assure You cannot mar
~ Miss Hayward. and l intend writ
ing to my father this very evening to
acquaint him OF the fact"
Promise me-" she said. earnestly.
that you will not write to Colonel
Beresford for two or three days more"
"Of course, since you wish it. can
not refuse, but do not imagine for one
single moment that there is the slight
est chance shall ever change my
mind"
Frank Beresford was seated before
his bedroom fire. gazing vacantly into
the bright flames, and indulging in the
blttcrest and most gloomy thoughts
He was to leave Northwood Manor the
next morning. but where to turn his
steps he knew not. He dare not go
back to Oakfield Park and meet his
father. whose dearest hopes he had
so keenly disappointed by refusing to
marry the heiress: and yct-ohl bitter
est thought of all!-thc woman for
whose sake he was willing to sacri-
fee everything treated him with cold
Indifference.
The young mans serious reflections
were suddenly interrupted by knock
ut the bedroom door. and the butler
announced that Miss Hayward wished
to speak to him for n few minutes in
the library. BY no means relishing the
idea of tete-a-tete with the mistress
of Northwood in his present frame Of
mind, he slowly made his way down.
stairs. When he opened the library
door radiant figure, sparkling with
diamonds, advanced to meet him.
"Violet. dearest" he exclaimed. Inn
pulsivelY ''this is indeed n pleasant
surprise. I expected to see Miss Hay
ward here. but 1 suppose there was
some mistake"
"There was no mistake" she replied,
and there was an amused look in her
beautiful dark eyes. Il am the woman
whom you so often declared you hat
ed. whose very name was the subject
of your ridicule, and whose hand and
fortune you spurned with contempt
in one word. 1 am Jemima-Anne-
Hayward" and she pronounced each
syllable slowly and distinctly
what? You| he exclaimed in
credulously. "Then. who is the lady
whom I have always believed to be
the heiress:"
"She is my companion, Violet Gran.
ville-we simply exchanged places.
Forgive the deception. Frank-it was
only little trick of mine. You see
and there was n ring of triumph in
her voice--"I was determined that my
husband should love me for myself,
and not for my money"
Darling. can it be really true?" and
he drew her tenderly toward him.
Did 1 not tell you that 1 should be
the first to congratulate you on your
engagement 20 Miss Hayward?" and
she laughed gaily.
You little mink. who would mag
inc you could ever deceive me so cruel
ly But you must let me call you
Violet. 1t has become so familiar now
that l could scarcely change It,"
"Oh you may call me anything you
like" she answered. her face beaming
with love and happiness, "for after
all. dearest, what's in n name?"-
Womans Life.