Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-04-19
THE LADY WITH
THE VIOLET EYES
By OWEN OLIVER


why do you want TO see him per
sonally?" | asked her. | will not pu
her name down in this story. Profes
sionally I thought Of her as valuable
client Privately | had remembered
her by her eyes since she was a mere
baby. They we're the color OF wei
Violets.
Il want you to make him better
she said. frowned at her over my
spectacles.
My dear young lady" ! protested
Il am a lawyer. not a missionary. II
Is not my business to reclaim evil
doers."
mot as a lawyer" she said. but
as man" folded my hands judi
cially
AS a man. | have no hope Of re-
forming this particular scoundrel"
IF you would try? You are 80
clever and kind"
ut would be quite useless" | said,
firmly.
"My aunt told me to come to you
when wanted help" She knew that
had an affection for my late client
For her sake"
Your aunt" I objected, was a
dreamer. She put her own good mo
tives to other peoples deeds. | was
merely an honest lawyer earning his
fee. It pleased her to credit me with
imaginary virtues"
Then you refuse?" She looked at
me entreatingly.
"As a lawyer, yes. As man-no.
will see this fellow to please you.
It is an act of friendship, outside bust
ness, you understand" She held out
her hands impulsiyely. and took
them
81 knew you would" she said.
you are as good as foolish" | told
her, as she smiled back at me, over
her shoulder, from the door.
Then | put on my hat and went to
seek one Richard Manning, whom |
was TO reform, II reformation could be-
He was a seedy individual with a
hard, wolfish mouth and sunken eyes
He had nearly reached the stage OF
utter selfishness. Nevertheless he
WINGED when | announced his aunts
death.
She was good to me-" he said.
THE only one!" He played with the
fringe of the shabby table cover for
few seconds. THE annuity. you said.
would continued"
Yes" | replied, sharply The lady
with the violet eyes had insisted,
against my advice. upon continuing It
She was their aunt's sole legatee.
Il suppose that is all you care about"
1T doesn't follow" he said, quietly.
because I am backyard that
can't care for anything. or anyone.
better. A man can go downtown;
and keep on looking up. That is his
punishment"
What's the use of standing at the
bottom of the pit staring up at the
skylight? Why don't you try to climb
out?" He shook his head.
mo use."
did you ever try?" He fidgeted
and said nothing.
Suppose you could get back among |
decent people? Would you keep
He shook his head again. |
"She tried once" he said, huskily.
MY aunt. thought could manage
1t; but | had to give IT up"
Had to?" | shrugged my shoulders
He looked at me
keenly.
tive half a mind to tell YOU" he
said, "You won't believe me, but II
doesn't matter
Il know when to believe" | assured
him. 1t is the knowledge winch takes
longest to gain; but am an old man.
Listen then" he said, looking away
from me. at the fireplace 1T was
three years after did 1t; year after
! came out of prison. She heard | was
going from bad to worse; spending
her allowance on drink and gambling.
That was what had ruined me. You
know what | did"
Yes" 1t was shameful robbery
OF employers who had treated him
well and trusted him.
"She sent for me and said that she
to give me another chance
She was moving. for her health. to the
country, away from her relatives and
mine. II | would go and stay with
her, and try to live down the love of
drink and gambling, and take an in
terest in wholesome life, she would
get me employment with friends. she
promised; and then when | had wiped
off the past, people would forget. she
declared. | said | would try" He
poured out a glass Of spirits and
frank 1t at a draught. Il tried"
''You didn't try hard enough"
Il tried hard OF course | had one
" two breakdowns. was very cut
lp about them; but | was honest and
old ha parrar i