Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-11-04
AND IHELbIE

DIPLOMACY and IHELbN
ut is generally considered perfectly
safe and profitable thing to conceive a
platonic admiration for the wife of
your chief. The lady likes it and
when she wants a little variety, hav-
ing heard all your best speeches
twice over, .she generally goes to her
husband and suggests that he gets you
a better appointment, and you both
start your round again with fresh part.
ners. Your chief likes it; he is. re-
leased from the arena Of tea cups and
allowed to play the big game In his
own fashion. I made a successful
start and might have been a mighty
god among Anglo-Indians only I
made big mistake: I fell In love.
Viola Hampton was adorably pretty,
and years younger than Sir George.
What on earth induced him when on
long leave to marry a child of eigh.
leen and bring her to Simla fresh
from the schoolroom was question
asked by all his friends; but Sir
George knew his wife better than we
did. I was young in those days, and
sMmay add good looking.
iViolet informed me one morning
that she was wicked woman-and
In the same breath that l must love
her eternally; also adding that 1 must
always remember that she was Sir
Georges wife and that she must re-
sspect his name.
"a few days after received the
eRer of a much better appointment
the first step, really, on the big ladder
OF Civih Service promotion, a lucky
plum to fall into youngsters mouth.
When l told Violet she burst into
Passionate tears, and asked me If I
could be cruel enough to accept 1t
and leave her. She sobbed in heart
broken fashion.
81 looked at Violet; she was tremb-
- ling with grief and passion. She wore
some white muslin gown. and looked
pitifully girlish, and oh, so awfully
pretty. Tears suited her. did
love her. l was only boy in years
;as she a girl. 1 took her little sob
bing figure in my arms and promised
as she clung to me that 1 would re-
fuse the appointment and stay on, her
husbands humble secretary. Violet
Whispered broke.ly that she would
love me forever. and that l was the
dearest boy IN the world.
It was very nice to feel her soft,
warm kisses on my mouth, and her
little fingers ruffiing my hair; nicer
!; than fame, position, riches, dreams OF
power.
Fl kissed Violet Hampton that Ian
guild, lazy afternoon, and sold my
ssSirthright for a mess Of pottage.
Sir; George gave me keen glance
under his bushy eyebrows when /
told him. had declined the excellent
appointment offered me. "Of course
you know your own affairs BEST" he
said, slowly; "and for my part
SsRculd have been very sorry to. loose
the best, secretary it as ever pleased
the fates to send me; burt in declining
this rise you are acting like fool
and singing your diplomatic death
warrant. Are you wise, boy? Is
anything worth IT.
Time passed. I watched my juniors
climb on and pass me. Men, my in
feriors in brains and class. began to
patronize me. was talked Of as the
man who had mulled his chance
missed his opportunity. attained
the dignity of the pointed-out moral;
was considered an excellent example
of fool.
And Violet, she loved me after her
fashion, and at all events never re
placed me by rival; but little by lit
tie schoolgirl Violet blossomed out
into a great lady and woman Of am
bition.
Violet was ruled by her head, moi
by her heart. 1 had the the fresh early
fragrance of her heart certainly, but
by degrees Violet realized that hearts
are inconvenient luxuries, and really
not worth cultivating.
She was always sweetly gracious tc
her husbands secretary, and some
times more than gracious. OF course
it was an understood thing that we
should marry when it pleased Sil
George Hampton to close his eyes or
this weary world. Apropos Of oul
marriage, q remark Violet made on the
subject will explain how far our de
votlon went, and show how much
had got for my youth.
How foolish it is for women to
tire men of them before they marry
them! You would be sick to death
of me by now, Jack, if had not dis
covered that morality pays better
than vice. AS it Is, you anticipate
our marriage Yes, you actually look
forward to some unknown day OF
happiness. Thank me. Jack, for be
ing so wise"
Sir George died, died as he would
have chosen, suddenly and in harness
Violet broke down absolutely, and
mourned him bitterly.
~ never pretended to love him. y
she cried, turning savagely on me-
1--WE will work up position to-
gether." / said.
You" she shot a half-contemptu'
QUO nlnnna OF mo ooh vnn'ra nc