Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-03-28
-Thorns and Orange Blossoms.
BY THE AUTHOR OF
ROMANCE OF A YOUNG GIRL.



/, Violet, how am | to bear 1t, dear?
may never see him again, would
rather look once into his face and die
than live fifty years without seeing
him. There is one consolation for US,
which Is that, though we are parted
we have ample faith in each other.
My trust in Paul could never die; his
in me, | am convinced, is equally
firm. Can you imagine what it is to
love one man with your whole heart,
to have no other interest yet never
see him, never to hear his name, to DE
with him only in dreams? Why,
Violet, my life is full of pain, one long
torture of suspense. | have no hope.
Mamma will never relent, never con-
sent to my marriage with Paul. Only
one thing could be Of any use to us;
but 1t will never happen. II some
one would die and leave Paul large
fortune, she would withdraw her
veto at once. A year ago Paul wrote
to me and suggested that we should
get married at once; he said that
when 1t was done and beyond recall
my mother would forgive us; but how
could | say Yes and spoil his career? ?
How could he keep wife who would
not bring him one shilling, he who has
difficulty enough to keep himself?
His father has little money to spare;
he can help him only every now and
then Do you not see, Violet, | should
be only a drag and burden? In fact,
love him too well to accede to that
wish.
II have no money Of my own,
Monica went on plaintively; mamma
had all. She can either leave me a
fortune or deprive me of one. She
would not Of course, give me one
shilling IL married Paul. For myself
do not mind poverty at all; but |
cannot drag him down into the
depths. 1t would be selfish. and |
love him better than myself"
"lt seems sad story" said Violet,
"and do not see what can be done TO
help you"
Nothing can be DONE" Monica an
swered. 1T ia doubly hard for me.
Just because | want no lovers and do
not want mamma to think OF matrl'
mony in connection with me, am
overwhelmed with offers; even our
beautiful Marguerite never had so
many as l have had; and every fresh
offer makes my mother so angry.
Only last week that tiresome old Sir
Thomas Macintosh, who is said to be
one of the richest men in England
wrote to mamma and told her-oh,
Violet have not patience to repeat
1t. | have not indeed her that
he wanted to marry me, and that he
was so anxious to make me his wife
he would settle half his fortune on me
If would consent. Mamma implored
of me to say Yes and in some way,
cannot tell how, Paul has heard OF 1t,
and has written to me- He knows
shall be true to him. II ever girl
means to be true to Nor love, and Is
true. | am that girl. | shall write to
Paul today. But he seems so dis.
heartened He hears these rumors
of my lovers, he hears rumors of his
regiment going abroad, and he seems
half distracted"
Write him long, cheerful love
letter" suggested Violet
Have you ever written a love-
letter in your life?" asked Monica.
Violet answered No"
"If you had" said the girl simply,
you would know that 1t would be the
most difficult thing in the world to
write a cheerful one In circumstances
like mine"
N does not seem to me-" said
Monica RIVERS to her sister-in-law,
that you will ever feel quite at home
here" For Monica, suddenly entering
ono of the pretty drawiny-rooms IN
ordinary use found Violet idly seated
there, and looking very DIES pondent.
Il do not think SHALL she an
| swcred--"the place Is so large, so
different from anything to which
| have been accustomed: and have
| nothing TO occupy me. | was much
| happier In my au0t'S little house.
| And, oh, Monica, II had but
| gardcn'"
"A garden cried Monica, In won.
/ der. why. my dear Violet you have
/ one of the largest in England The
/ Ryvcrsdalc gardens are unique"
So they may be; but they are not
! mine said Violet.
They are your own. inasmuch as
they belong to Randolph" said
Monica.
ut is very different" returned
! Violet AT my old home the garden
WAS my own as it were"
/ As she spoke, a memory OF the
handsome face md loye-laden eyes
taat had haunted the garden came
back to her and she knew in her
hoart tina; she loved Randolph far
better in those days than in these.
! re had seemed nearer to her, on a
! perfect equality with her. Now that
she was won, magnificent as they
wore hn hated sill his surroundings.
.NN 'tsNkyA most OF his relatives and