The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-11-21
VIXEN
cOS
BY Miss ". E. Bruddon.

entering long glade that led through
newly opened fir plantation-a
straight ride of mile and half oil
So The young moon was cleaning
cold and clear above the feathering
points of the frs.
"Yes," she answered, recklessly, in
voluntarily. with a stifed sob. Il am
always happy with you. You are all
that remains to me of my old life"
MY dearest. my loveliest, then be
happy foreverl" he cried, winding his
arm around her slim waist and leaning
over till his head almost rested on her
shoulder. Their horses were close to-
gether, Waking at foot pace, Blue
Peter IN nowise disconnected by the
extraordinary behavior of his rider.
My love, if you can be happy at so
small a price, be happy always," said
Rorie, his lips close to the girls pale
cheek, his arm feeling every beat OF
the passionate heart. II will break the
tolls that bind me. ! will be yours,
and yours only l have never truly
loved any one but you, and l have
loved you all my life-l never knew
how dearly till of late. No, dearest
love, never did know how utterly |
loved you till these last summer days
which we have lived together, alone
and supremacy happy, in the Forest
that is our native land. My Violet, l
will break with Mabel tomorrow. She
and l were never made for one an
other. You and 1 were. Yes, love, yes.
We have grown up together side by
side, like the primrose and violets in
the woods. 1t is my second nature to
love you. Why should we be parted?
Why should / go on acting a dismal
farce pretending to love Mabel, pre-
tenlirg friendship for you-alike false
none-except-"
Except your promise to your dying
mother" said Violet, escaping from his
arm and looking at him steadily,
brayely, through the dim light. You
shall not break that for my sake
you ought not, were 1 ten times a
better woman than l am. No, Rorie,
you are to do your duty and keep your
word. You are to marry Lady Mabel
and be happy ever after, like the
prince in the fairy tale. Depend upon
it, happiness always comes in the long
run to the man who does his duty"
Il don't believe it," cried Roderick,
passionately. Il have seen men who
have done right all through life-men
who have sacrificed feeling to honor
and been miserable. Why should | imi-
tate them? / love YOU l loved you
always; but my mother worried and
leased NE, Wanting Mabel's perfec.
tons, trying to lessen you in my es-
TEEN. And then, when she was dying.
and it seemed hard thing to oppose
her wishes or to refuse her anything,
were it even the happiness OF my life,
1 was weak and let myself be persu-
AIDED, and sold myself into bondage.
But 1t is not too late, Violet. l will
write to Mabel an honest letter to-
morrow, and tell her the truth for the
first time in my life"
You viii do nothing of the kind, "
cried Violet, resolutely. What, do you
think ! have no pride. no sense of
honor? Do you think ! would let it
be said of me, that I, knowing you to
be engaged to your cousin, set myself
to lure you away from her; that We
rode together and were seen together,
happy in each others company, and as
careless of SANDER as If we had been
brother and sister, and that the end
of all was that you broke your faith to
your promised wife in order to marry
me-"
What does it matter what people
say, your mothers husband above all d?
Malice can always find something evil
to say of us, let US shape our lives
how we may. What really matters is
that we should be happy, and l can
be happy with no one but you, Violet!
know that now. / will never marry
Mabel Ashbourne."
And you will never marry mel" an.
swered Vixen, giving Arion a light
touch Of her whip which sent him
flying along the shaGowy road.
Vixen had ridden past the open gate
The lodge keeper stood at his door
watching for her. Roderick respected
her wishes and stayed outside.
Good night" she cried again, look.
Ing back at him. Bates shall come
to you tomorrow morning"
The hall door was wide open, and
Captain Carmichael stood on the
threshold waiting for his step-daugh.
ter One of the underlings from the
stable was ready to take her horse
She dismounted unaided. flung the
reins to the groom, and walked up 70
the captain with her firmest step.
II snoii ,-ds
with you in the drawing room before
you go upstairs" he SAID.
"A hundred if you choose an
swered Vixen, with supreme GOODNESS
She was utterly fearless. What
risks or hazards had life that she
need dread? She hoped nothing
feared nothing. She had just made
the greatest sacrifice that fate could
require of her; she had rejected the
man she fondly loved. She followed
Captain Carmichael to the drawing
room.
my mother has gone to bed, / sup
poser" inquired Vixen.
"She has gone to her room, but
| fear shc is too much agitated to get
any rest. i would not allow her to
wait here any longer for YOU"
rs it so very late?" asked Vixen
with the most innocent air.
Her heart was beating violently
and her temper was not at it's bes
She stood looking at the captain, witt
misch,evous sparkle In her eyes
and her whip tightly clenched.
1T is quarter past eleven. l dom
know whether you think that re
spectacle hour for young lady's
evening ride. May / ask the motive
of this nocturnal expeditions"
Certainly. You deprive Bates of {
comfortable place-he has only beer
in the situation forty years-and
went to get him another. / am happy
to say that / succeeded"