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diff --git a/19259.txt b/19259.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..14e5b11 --- /dev/null +++ b/19259.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9691 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of His Heart's Queen, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: His Heart's Queen + +Author: Mrs. Georgie Sheldon + +Release Date: September 12, 2006 [EBook #19259] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS HEART'S QUEEN *** + + + + +Produced by Brian Janes, Suzanne Lybarger and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +HIS HEART'S QUEEN + + +_By_ MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON + + +Author of + +"Dorothy's Jewels," "Earl Wayne's Nobility," "The False and the True," +"Helen's Victory," "Tina," "Trixy," etc. + + + +A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS +52 Duane Street New York + +Copyright 1890, 1903 +By Street & Smith + +A. L. BURT COMPANY +Publishers New York + + + +Popular Books +By MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON + +In Handsome Cloth Binding +Price per Volume, 60 Cents + +Audrey's Recompense Magic Cameo, The +Brownie's Triumph Marguerite's Heritage +Churchyard Betrothal, The Masked Bridal, The +Dorothy Arnold's Escape Max, A Cradle Mystery +Dorothy's Jewels Mona +Earl Wayne's Nobility Mysterious Wedding Ring, A +Edrie's Legacy Nora +Faithful Shirley Queen Bess +False and The True, The Ruby's Reward +For Love and Honor, Shadowed Happiness, A, + Sequel to Geoffrey's Victory Sequel to Wild Oats +Forsaken Bride, The Sibyl's Influence +Geoffrey's Victory Stella Roosevelt +Girl in a Thousand, A Thorn Among Roses, A, +Golden Key, The Sequel to a Girl in a Thousand +Heatherford Fortune, The, Threads Gathered Up, + Sequel to The Magic Cameo Sequel to Virgie's Inheritance +He Loves Me For Myself, Thrice Wedded + Sequel to the Lily of Mordaunt Tina +Helen's Victory Trixy +Her Faith Rewarded, True Aristocrat, A + Sequel to Faithful Shirley True Love Endures, +Her Heart's Victory, Sequel to Dorothy Arnold's Escape + Sequel to Max True Love's Reward, +Heritage of Love, A, Sequel to Mona + Sequel to The Golden Key True to Herself, +His Heart's Queen Sequel to Witch Hazel +Hoiden's Conquest, A Two Keys +How Will It End, Virgie's Inheritance + Sequel to Marguerite's Heritage Wedded By Fate +Lily of Mordaunt, The Welfleet Mystery, The +Little Marplot, The Wild Oats +Little Miss Whirlwind Winifred's Sacrifice +Lost, A Pearle Witch Hazel +Love's Conquest, With Heart so True, + Sequel to Helen's Victory Sequel to His Heart's Queen +Love Victorious, A + +For Sale by all Booksellers or will be sent postpaid on receipt of price + + + Transcriber's Note: Variant spellings, particularly bowlder + (boulder), clew (clue) and vail (veil), have been retained. + Also, the Table of Contents was missing so it has been created. + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + +CHAPTER I. A FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT. +CHAPTER II. V. D. H. IS CLAIMED BY HER FRIENDS. +CHAPTER III. WILLFUL VIOLET HAS HER OWN WAY. +CHAPTER IV. A PARTING SOUVENIR. +CHAPTER V. VIOLET ASSERTS HERSELF. +CHAPTER VI. A CONFESSION AND ITS REPLY. +CHAPTER VII. "HE IS MY AFFIANCED HUSBAND." +CHAPTER VIII. "I'LL BREAK HER WILL!" +CHAPTER IX. VIOLET BECOMES A PRISONER. +CHAPTER X. "YOU WILL BE TRUE THOUGH THE OCEAN DIVIDES US." +CHAPTER XI. "DEATH HAS RELEASED YOU FROM YOUR PROMISE." +CHAPTER XII. "YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR PROMISE AND YOU MUST STAND BY IT." +CHAPTER XIII. THE DAY IS SET FOR VIOLET'S MARRIAGE. +CHAPTER XIV. "THERE WILL BE NO WEDDING TO-DAY" +CHAPTER XV. "SHE IS MY WIFE." +CHAPTER XVI. "I MUST FIND HER--I MUST FOLLOW HER." +CHAPTER XVII. LORD CAMERON AND WALLACE BECOME FIRM FRIENDS. +CHAPTER XVIII. THE FACE AT THE WINDOW. +CHAPTER XIX. A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE. +CHAPTER XX. VIOLET RETURNS TO AMERICA. +CHAPTER XXI. VIOLET MAKES AN ENGAGEMENT. +CHAPTER XXII. VIOLET AND HER UNRULY PUPIL. +CHAPTER XXIII. VIOLET GAINS A SIGNAL VICTORY. +CHAPTER XXIV. VIOLET MEETS WITH AN ACCIDENT. + + + + +HIS HEART'S QUEEN + + + +CHAPTER I. + +A FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT. + + +Just at sunset, one bright spring day, the car that plies up and down +the inclined plane leading from the foot of Main street up the hills to +the Zoological Gardens, of Cincinnati, started to make the ascent with +its load of precious human freight. + +The car was full of passengers, though not crowded, while among the +occupants there were several young people, whose bright faces and +animated manner bespoke how light of heart and free from care they +were--what a gladsome, delightful place the world seemed to them. + +One young lady, who was seated about midway upon one side of the car, +attracted especial attention. + +She was, perhaps, seventeen years of age, slight and graceful in form, +with a lovely, piquant face, merry blue eyes, and a wealth of curling +golden hair, that clustered about her white forehead in bewitching +little rings. + +She was richly dressed in a charming costume of tan-brown, trimmed with +a darker shade of the same color. Upon her head she wore a jaunty hat of +fine brown straw, with a wreath of pink apple-blossoms partially +encircling it, and fastened on one side with a pretty bow of glossy +satin ribbon, also of brown. A dainty pair of bronze boots incased her +small feet, and her hands were faultlessly gloved in long suede +gauntlets. A small, brown velvet bag, with silver clasps, hung at her +side, and in her lap lay an elegant music-roll of Russian leather. + +Everything about her indicated that she was the petted child of fortune +and luxury. Her beautiful eyes were like limpid pools of water +reflecting the azure sky; her lips were wreathed with smiles; there was +not a shadow of care upon her delicate, clear-cut face. + +Directly opposite her sat a young man whose appearance indicated that +his circumstances were just the reverse, although no one could ever look +into his noble face without feeling impelled to take a second glance at +him. + +He was tall and stalwart of form, broad-shouldered, full-chested, +straight of limb, with a massive head set with a proud poise above a +well-shaped neck. He looked the personification of manly beauty, +strength, and health. + +His face was one that, once seen, could never be forgotten. It was grave +and sweet, yet having a certain resolute expression about the mouth +which might have marred its expression somewhat had it not been for the +mirthful gleam which now and then leaped into his clear, dark-brown +eyes, and which betrayed that, beneath the gravity and dignity which a +life of care and the burden of poverty had chiseled upon his features +and imparted to his bearing, there lurked a spirit of quiet drollery and +healthy humor. + +His features were strong and regular; the brow full and shapely, the +nose aquiline, the mouth firm, the chin somewhat massive. It was a +powerful face--a good face; one to be trusted and relied on. + +The young man was, perhaps, twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, +though at first his dignified bearing might lead one to imagine him to +be even older than that. + +He was clad in a very common suit, which betrayed his poverty, while at +his feet, in a basket, lay a plane and saw, which indicated that he +belonged to the carpenters' guild. + +The pretty girl opposite stole more than one curious and admiring look +at this poor young Apollo, only to encounter a similar, though wholly +respectful glance from his genial and expressive eyes, whereupon the +lovely color would come and go on her fair, round cheek, and her eyes +droop shyly beneath their white lids. + +When the car left its station at the base of the plane and began to make +its ascent, not one among all its passengers had a thought of the +terrible experience awaiting them--of the tragedy following so closely +in their wake. + +It had nearly reached the top; another minute, and it would have rolled +safely into the upper station and have been made fast at the terminus. + +But, suddenly, something underneath seemed to let go; there was an +instant's pause, which sent a thrill of terror through every heart; then +there began a slow retrograde movement, which rapidly increased, until, +with a feeling of terror that is utterly indescribable the ill-fated +people in that doomed car realized that they were being hurried swiftly +toward a sure and frightful destruction. + +Cries and shrieks and groans filled the place. There was a frantic rush +for the door, the doomed victims seeking to force their way out of the +car to leap recklessly from the flying vehicle, and trust thus to the +faint hope of saving their lives. + +But both doors were securely fastened--they were all locked within their +prison; there was no hope of escape from it and the terrible crash +awaiting them. + +When the beautiful girl whom we have described realized the hopeless +situation, she gave one cry of horror, then seemed to grow suddenly and +strangely calm, though a pallor like that of death settled over her +face, and a look of wild despair leaped into her eyes. + +Involuntarily she glanced at the young man opposite her, and she found +his gaze riveted upon her with a look of intense yearning, which +betrayed that he had no thought for himself; that all his fear was for +her; that the idea of seeing her, in all her bright young beauty, dashed +in pieces, crushed and mangled, had overpowered all sense of his own +personal doom. + +She seemed to read his thoughts, and, like one in a dream or nightmare, +she almost unconsciously stretched forth her hands to him with a gesture +which seemed to appeal to him to save her. + +Instantly he arose to his feet, calm, strong, resolute. + +His face was as pale as hers, but there was a gleam in his eyes which +told her that he would not spare himself in the effort to save her. + +"Will you trust me?" he murmured hoarsely in her ear, as he caught her +trembling hands in his. + +Her fingers closed over his with a frantic clutch; her eyes sought his +in desperate appeal. + +"Yes! yes!" Her white lips framed the words, but no sound issued from +them. + +The car had now attained a frightful velocity; a moment or two more and +all would be over, and there was not an instant to lose. + +The young man reached up and grasped with his strong, sinewy hands the +straps which hung from the supports above his head. + +"Quick now!" he said to his almost paralyzed companion; "stand up, put +your arms about my neck, and cling to me for your life." + +She looked helplessly up into his face; it seemed as if she had not the +power to move--to obey him. + +With a despairing glance from the window and a groan of anguish, he +released his hold upon the straps, seized her hands again, and locked +them behind his neck. + +"Cling! Cling!" he cried, in a voice of agony. + +The tone aroused her; strength came to her, and she clasped him +close--close as a person drowning might have done. + +He straightened himself thus, lifting her several inches from the floor +of the car, seized again the straps above, and swung himself also clear, +hoping thus to evade somewhat the terrible force of the shock which he +knew was so near. + +He was not a second too soon; the crash came, and with it one frightful +volume of agonizing shrieks and groans; then all was still. + +The car had been dashed into thousands of pieces, burying beneath the +_debris_ twenty human beings. + +A group of horrified spectators had gathered in the street at the base +of the plane when it was rumored that the car had lost its grip upon the +cable, and had watched, with quaking hearts and bated breath, the awful +descent. + +When all was over, kind and reverent hands began the sad work of +exhuming the unfortunate victims of the accident. + +It was thought at first that all were dead--that not one had escaped; +that every soul had been hurled, with scarcely a moment's warning, into +eternity. + +The brave young carpenter was found lying beneath two mangled bodies, +with the beautiful girl whom he had tried to save clasped close in one +of his arms; the other lay crushed beneath him. + +"Brother and sister," some one had said, as, bending over them, he had +tried to disengage the lovely girl from his embrace. + +He had only been stunned, however, by the shock, when the car struck, +and he now opened his great brown eyes, drawing in a deep, deep breath, +as if thus taking hold anew of the life that had so nearly been dashed +out of him. + +This was followed by a groan of pain, and he became conscious that he +had not escaped altogether unscathed. + +"Is she safe?" he gasped, his first thought, in spite of his own +sufferings, being for the girl for whom he had braved so much, while he +tried to look into the white, still face hidden upon his breast. + +They tried to lift her from him, but her little hands were so tightly +locked at the back of his neck that it was no easy task to unclasp them. + +"She is dead," a voice said, when at last she was removed, and some one +tried to ascertain if her heart was still beating; "the shock has killed +her." + +"No, no!" sobbed the now completely unnerved young carpenter; "do not +tell me that she is--dead." + +"Who are you, my poor fellow? Where do you live? Shall we take you to +the hospital, or do you want to go home?" they asked him. + +"Oh, no, not to the hospital--home to my mother," the young man +returned, with difficulty, for his sufferings seemed to increase as he +came to himself more fully. + +"No. ---- Hughes street," the poor fellow gasped, and then fainted dead +away. + +They had not thought to inquire if the young girl was his sister, but +they took it for granted that she was, so they laid them side by side +and bore them away to Hughes street. + +They found, upon inquiry, that the house referred to was occupied by a +Mrs. Richardson. + +The woman was away when the sad cortege arrived at her home, but a +latch-key was found in the pocket of the young man, by which an entrance +was effected, and they deposited him upon a bed in a small room leading +from the sitting-room, while the young girl was laid upon a lounge in +the neat and cozy parlor. Then they hastened away to procure a physician +to examine the injuries of the two sufferers. + +Mrs. Richardson returned, just about the time that the surgeon arrived, +to find that her only son had been one of the victims of the horrible +tragedy, a rumor of which had reached her while she was out, and that a +strange but lovely girl had also been brought, through mistake, to her +home. + +The surgeon turned his attention at once to this beautiful stranger, +who, to all appearance, seemed beyond all human aid; but during his +examination his face suddenly lighted. + +"She is not dead," he said; "the shock has only caused suspension of +animation. Her heart beats, her pulse is faint, but regular, and I +cannot find a bruise or a scratch anywhere about her." + +He gave her into the hands of some women, who had come in to offer their +services, with directions how to apply the restoratives he prescribed, +and then turned his attention to the son of the house, who by this time +had recovered consciousness and was suffering intense pain from his +injuries. + +His mother was bending over him in an agony of anxiety and suspense, +while she strove, in various ways, to relieve his sufferings. + +"Wallace--Wallace!" she cried; "how did it happen that you were going up +in that car at this time of the day?" + +"I cannot tell you now--some other time," he returned. + +Then turning to the surgeon, who entered at that moment, while he strove +to stifle his groans in his anxiety to learn how it fared with the girl +whom he had so bravely tried to save, he asked, eagerly. + +"How is she?" + +"She is not injured; there is not a bone broken that I can discover, and +she will do well enough unless the shock to her nerves should throw her +into a fever or bring on prostration," the doctor replied. + +"Thank Heaven!" murmured the carpenter, and then fainted away again. + +A thorough examination of his condition revealed the fact that two ribs +had been fractured and his left arm broken in two places, while it was +feared that there might be other internal injuries. + +All that could be done for him was done at once, and, though weak and +exhausted, he was otherwise comparatively comfortable when the surgeon +got through with him. + +He then turned his attention once more to the fair girl in the other +room. + +"You will have your hands more than full, Mrs. Richardson, with your son +and daughter ill at once," he remarked. "You must have an experienced +nurse to assist you." + +"The poor girl is not my daughter; I do not even know who she is," the +woman replied, as she bent over the beautiful stranger with a tender, +motherly face. + +"Not your child! Who can she be, then?" her companion inquired, in +surprise. + +They searched in her pretty velvet bag, hoping to find her card or some +address; but nothing was found save some car tickets and a generous sum +of money. + +The inscription upon her music-roll revealed scarcely more--only the +initials "V. D. H." being engraven upon its silver clasp. + +She had recovered consciousness, but still lay so weak and faint that +the surgeon did not think it best to question her just then, and, after +taking one more look at his other patient, he went away to other duties, +but promised to look in upon them again in a couple of hours. + +When he did return he found Wallace comfortable and sleeping; but the +young girl was in a high fever and raving with delirium. + +"Shall I have her taken to the hospital?" Doctor Norton asked of Mrs. +Richardson. "The care of both patients will be far too much for you, and +her friends will probably find her there before long." + +"I cannot bear to let her go," Mrs. Richardson replied, with staring +tears. "She is so young, and has been so delicately reared. I know that +she would have the best of care; still I recoil from the thought of +having her moved. Leave her here for a day or two, and, if my son is +comfortable, perhaps I can take care of her without neglecting him." + +Thus it was arranged, and the physician went away thinking that women +like Mrs. Richardson were rare. + +Two days later the following advertisement appeared in the Cincinnati +papers: + + Wanted, information regarding Miss Violet Draper Huntington, + who left her home, No. ---- Auburn avenue, on Tuesday + afternoon, to take a music lesson in the city. Fears have + been entertained that she might have been one of the victims of + the Main street accident, but though her friends have thoroughly + searched the morgue and hospitals, no tidings of her have as + yet been obtained. + +Doctor Morton read the above while on his way to visit his two patients +in Hughes street, and instantly his mind reverted to the initials +engraved upon the unknown girl's music-roll. + +"V. D. H.," he said, musingly, as his eyes rested upon the name Violet +Draper Huntington in the advertisement. "That is my pretty patient, poor +child! and now we will have your friends looking after you and relieving +that poor overworked woman before another twelve hours pass." + +He showed the advertisement to Mrs. Richardson upon his arrival at the +house, and she agreed with him that her lovely charge must be the Miss +Huntington referred to in the paper. + +The girl continued to be in a very critical state. She was burning with +fever, was unconscious of her surroundings, was constantly calling upon +"Belle" and "Wilhelm" to "help her--to save her." + +"She is not so well," the physician said, gravely, as he felt the +bounding pulse, "her fever is increasing. I shall go at once to Auburn +avenue and inform her relatives of her condition." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +V. D. H. IS CLAIMED BY HER FRIENDS. + + +Doctor Norton easily found the residence of Violet Huntington's friends +on Auburn avenue, and as he mounted the massive granite steps and rang +the bell of the handsome house he read the name of Mencke on the silver +door-plate. + +"Aha! Germans," mused the physician, "wealthy people, too, I judge." + +A trim servant in white cap and apron answered his summons, and, upon +inquiring for Mrs. Mencke, he was invited to enter. + +He was ushered into a handsome drawing-room, where, upon every hand, +evidence of wealth met his eye, and after giving his card to the girl, +he sat down to await the appearance of the lady of the house. + +She did not tax his patience long; the "M. D." upon his card had +evidently impressed Mrs. Mencke with the belief that the physician had +come to bring her some tidings of the beautiful girl who had so +strangely disappeared from her home a few days previous. She came into +the room presently, followed by a man whom Doctor Norton surmised to be +her husband. + +Mrs. Mencke was a large, rather fine-looking woman of perhaps thirty +years. Her bearing was proud and self-possessed, and, while there was a +somewhat anxious expression on her face, she nevertheless impressed the +kind-hearted doctor as a person of selfish nature, and lacking in +womanly sympathy. + +Her husband was a portly man, dark-complexioned, and German in +appearance. There was a cunning, rather sinister expression on his face; +he had small, black eyes, and a full, shaggy beard, while a pompous +swagger in his bearing betrayed an arrogant disposition and excessive +pride of purse. + +"Doctor Norton," Mrs. Mencke began, without waiting for him to state the +errand that had brought him there, "have you come to bring me news of my +sister? Was she in that fatal car--is she injured--dead?" + +"If my surmises are correct, and Miss Violet Huntington is your sister, +I can give you tidings of her," Doctor Norton returned. + +"Yes, yes; that is her name," Mrs. Mencke interposed. + +"Then I am happy to tell you that a young lady of perhaps seventeen or +eighteen years was rescued." + +"Rescued!" cried Mrs. Mencke, eagerly. "William," turning to her +husband, "do you hear? How was she rescued?" + +"Perhaps I should not have spoken with quite so much confidence," +corrected the doctor. "But the young lady to whom I refer had with her a +music-roll upon the clasp of which the letters 'V. D. H.' were +engraved." + +"That must have been Violet," said Mrs. Mencke. "She went to the city +that afternoon to take her music lesson at four o'clock." + +"Then she was saved by a young man--a Mr. Wallace Richardson--in the +recent accident on the inclined plane. Mr. Richardson was severely +injured, but he has been able to give an account of how he prevented the +young lady from being dashed to pieces like many of the other victims," +Doctor Norton returned. + +He then proceeded to relate what Wallace had told him had occurred +during those few horrible moments when that ill-fated car was plunging +at such a fearful rate toward its doom. + +Mrs. Mencke appeared to be greatly affected by the thrilling account; +but her phlegmatic husband listened to the recital with a stolidity +which betrayed either a strange indifference or a wonderful control over +his nerves and sympathies. + +"Oh! it is the most wonderful thing in the world that she was not killed +outright," Mrs. Mencke remarked, with a shiver of horror, "and we have +been very anxious. You say that she is seriously ill?" she questioned, +in conclusion. + +"Yes; the shock to her system has been a serious one, madame," the +physician replied, "and, although there is not a scratch nor a bruise +upon her, she is very ill and delirious at the home of this brave young +carpenter to whom she owes so much." + +"Young!" repeated Mrs. Mencke, remarking the adjective for the first +time, and looking somewhat annoyed. "How old is he?" + +"About twenty-three or twenty-four, I should judge," was the reply. + +A frown settled upon the woman's brow; but after a moment she asked: + +"Do you consider her dangerously ill, Doctor Norton?" + +"Yes, madame, she is. Your sister is delicately organized, and her +system has had a terrible shock; the horror and fright alone, of those +few dreadful moments, were sufficient to unhinge the strongest nerves," +the physician gravely replied. + +As he said this he happened to glance at Mr. Mencke, and was astonished, +amazed, to observe a look of unmistakable satisfaction, if not of +absolute triumph, flash from his eyes. + +What could it mean? + +Was it possible that the man, for any secret reason, could desire the +death of this young and beautiful girl? + +He had not once spoken as yet, having simply nodded to the doctor, with +a half-suppressed grunt, in answer to his courteous salutation. + +"William, do you hear?" his wife now said, turning to him. "Violet is +dangerously ill down on Hughes street. I must go to her at once." + +"Certainly, of course," responded her better half, with a shrug of his +corpulent shoulders. + +"She is my sister, though much younger than myself, and I have had the +care of her ever since the death of our parents," Mrs. Mencke explained. +"What can I do? Will it be possible to bring her home?" + +"I fear not at present," Doctor Norton returned, "but it would be well +to provide a competent nurse for her where she is, as Mrs. Richardson +has her hands more than full with the care of both patients and her +domestic duties also." + +"Certainly, Violet shall have every attention," the woman responded, +somewhat haughtily, while the frown deepened upon her brow at the +mention of the people upon whose care her sister had been so strangely +thrown. + +Doctor Norton was inwardly indignant that neither of his listeners +should express the slightest gratitude or appreciation for what brave +Wallace Richardson had done to save the young girl's life. Evidently +they were not pleased that she should owe so great a debt to so plebeian +a source. + +Mrs. Mencke now arose and excused herself, saying that she would make +ready to accompany the physician to Hughes street to attend to her +sister's needs. + +"That was a horrible affair," Doctor Norton observed to Mr. Mencke, as +she left the room, determined to draw out his reticent companion if that +were possible. + +"It was beastly," grunted the man, with another shrug; "and the +corporation will have a pretty sum to pay for damages. Will--do you +think the girl--Violet--will die?" and the man leaned eagerly forward, a +greedy sparkle in his small, black eyes. + +A flush of anger and disgust mounted to the good doctor's brow at this +question, and like a flash the man's character was revealed to him. + +He saw that he was a shrewd, grasping, money-making man, who measured +everything and everybody by dollars and cents; that already, instead of +feeling gratitude, he was computing the chances of making something out +of the "corporation" in the event of the death of his wife's sister, if, +indeed, the girl herself did not possess a fortune which would also fall +into his hands should she die. + +"I shall do my best to save her, sir; that is, if I am allowed to retain +the case--and I see no reason why, with proper care, she should not +recover," he forced himself to reply, as courteously as possible. + +"Humph!" grunted Mr. Mencke, and then he fell to musing again, doubtless +computing the chances upon some other money-making scheme. + +Presently Mrs. Mencke returned, dressed to go out and bearing a +well-filled satchell in her hands. She had hastily gathered a few +articles of comfort for her sister's use. + +Doctor Norton and his companion proceeded directly to Hughes street, +where Mrs. Richardson welcomed Mrs. Mencke with motherly kindness and +interest, and then conducted her at once to the bedside of the +unconscious Violet, who was still calling piteously upon Belle and +Wilhelm to save her. + +"Belle is here, Violet," said her sister, bending over the sufferer; +"you are safe, and nothing can hurt you now." + +At the sound of her familiar voice the sick girl glanced up at her, and +a flash of recognition and consciousness returned for a moment. + +"Oh, Belle!" she cried, with a sigh of relief, as she seemed to realize +for the first time that she was safe. "It was so horrible--horrible! But +he was so brave--a hero, and so handsome----" + +"Hush, dear; you must not talk about it," interrupted the proud woman, +her brow contracting instantly at this mention of the young carpenter, +while she glanced about the humble though pretty room with an air of +disdain that brought the sensitive color into Mrs. Richardson's cheeks, +and made the physician glare angrily at her for her rudeness. + +"Will you remove your hat and wrap, Mrs. Mencke? You will probably like +to remain with your sister for a while," her hostess remarked, with a +lady-like courtesy which betrayed that, whatever her present +circumstances might be, she had at some time moved in cultured society. + +"Yes, I shall remain until a suitable nurse can be obtained," the woman +said, coldly, as she gave her hat and mantle into her hands. + +Then she turned to Doctor Norton and remarked: + +"Doubtless you know of some one who would be competent to take charge of +Miss Huntington?" + +"Yes, I know of just the person--she is a trained hospital nurse; but +her compensation is fifteen dollars a week besides her living," Doctor +Norton responded. + +"I do not care what her compensation is," replied Mrs. Mencke, with a +slightly curling lip; "I wish Violet to have the best of care. Are you +sure it will not do to have her taken home?" she concluded, with an +anxious glance toward the room, where she had caught a glimpse of the +other patient as she entered. + +"Very sure, madame," returned the physician, decidedly. "I would not be +answerable for the consequences if she were removed. With an efficient +nurse, the young lady can be made very comfortable here. Mrs. Richardson +has kindly resigned this room--the best she had--for her use. It is cool +and airy, and you do not need to have any anxiety about her on the score +of her accommodations. If you insist upon removing her, however, it must +be upon your own responsibility." + +Mrs. Mencke thought a moment, then she said: + +"Very well; it shall be as you advise, and I will come every day to +spend as much time as possible with her. Mrs. Richardson shall be well +paid, too, for her room and all inconvenience." + +Mrs. Richardson's delicate face flushed again at this coarse reference +to their obligation to her. There had not been one word of thanks or +appreciation for what she had already done; it seemed as if the haughty +woman considered that her money would cancel everything. + +"The dear child is welcome to the room and any other comfort that I can +give her," she said, quietly; then added: "It is time now for her fever +drops." + +She leaned over the sufferer, who had again relapsed into her delirious +state, and gently put the spoon to her lips. + +Violet unclosed her eyes and looked up into the kind, motherly face, +hesitated a moment, then swallowed the drops, while she murmured, as her +glance lingered on her countenance: + +"You are good--I love you," then, with a sigh, she turned her head upon +the pillow and dropped into a sleep, while her companions stole from the +room to complete their arrangements for her future comfort. + +"Your son--how is he?" Mrs. Mencke inquired, as they entered the +sitting-room, and she felt that it devolved upon her to make the +inquiry. + +"Better, thank you. He has not so much pain, and Doctor Norton thinks +his bones are going to knit nicely. He suffers more from his bruises and +cuts than from the broken bones. I am very thankful that he has escaped +with his life," Mrs. Richardson answered, tremulously, and with +startling tears. + +"Was he badly hurt?" inquired the lady, languidly. + +"Well, he has a couple of protuberances upon his head, three serious +bruises on one leg, and a deep cut on the other from broken +window-glass. Our young hero--and he is a hero, Mrs. Mencke--is pretty +well battered up; but, please God, we are going to save him, and he'll +come out as good as new in time." Doctor Norton returned, with an energy +that made Mrs. Richardson smile, though with tremulous lips. + +"It was a frightful accident," murmured Mrs. Mencke, with a slight +shiver. + +"You may well say that, madame; and it was a happy inspiration on the +part of Mr. Richardson to try to save Miss Huntington in the way that he +did. By suspending himself from the straps and make her cling to him he +broke the force of the crash for both of them; and, if she lives, there +is not the slightest doubt in the world that she will owe her life to +his thoughtfulness," said the worthy doctor. + +"I am sure it was very good of him, and--we are very grateful to him," +was the tardy admission of Violet's proud sister; but it lacked the ring +of sincerity, and her patronizing manner plainly indicated that her +pride rebelled against all feeling of obligation to an humble carpenter. + +"You certainly have reason to be," Doctor Norton retorted; then, bowing +coldly to her, he went into the small bedroom leading from the +sitting-room, to see how his hero fared. + +"How is she now, doctor?" Wallace eagerly asked, the moment he crossed +the threshold. + +It was always his first thought and inquiry whenever the physician made +his appearance, and he would never allow him to pay the slightest +attention to himself until he had first made an examination of Violet's +condition. + +"Pretty sick, my boy; but I hope she is going to pull through," he +cheerfully replied. + +"Thank heaven!" murmured the young man, fervently. + +Doctor Norton observed him keenly for a moment, with a kindly yet +somewhat anxious gleam in his eyes; then he said: + +"Look here, my fine fellow, let me give you a little timely warning; +don't you go to falling in love with this pretty Violet--you'll only +make mischief for both yourself and her if you do, for her friends are +rich, and proud as Lucifer--as hard-hearted, too, if I am not +mistaken--and nothing but a fortune will ever tempt them to yield her to +the best lover in the world." + +The young man flushed a vivid crimson at this blunt speech, and the +physician, noticing it, continued: + +"No doubt you think I'm meddling with what is none of my business, but +I've seen enough to-day to convince me that such a romantic result of +this accident would be the worst thing that could possibly happen to +you. But how do you find yourself to-day?" he concluded, abruptly +changing the subject. + +"I have some pain in this right leg, but not enough to fret over," +Wallace replied, turning his now pale face away from the doctor's keen +eyes. + +There had suddenly come a sharper pain in his heart than any physical +suffering that he had as yet endured, as, all at once, he became +conscious that he had already been guilty of doing exactly what the good +surgeon had warned him against. + +Already he had begun to love Violet Huntington with all the strength and +passion of his manly, honest heart. He had been instantly attracted by +her lovely face and lady-like appearance, when he entered the car that +bright spring afternoon. When his glance met hers a magnetic current had +seemed to be established between them. When she had realized the horror +of their situation, after the grip upon the cable had been lost, and +thrown out her hands so appealingly to him, his heart had been suddenly +thrilled with the desire to save her, even at the expense of his own +life; in that one brief instant he had given himself to her, for life or +death. When he had clasped her hands about his neck and lifted her upon +his breast--when he had felt her head droop upon his shoulder, and the +beating of her frightened heart against his own, a feeling almost of +ecstasy had taken possession of him, and the strange thought had come to +him that he was perhaps going into eternity with the woman who should +have been his wife--with the one kindred soul designed for him by his +Maker. + +But now the doctor's words had given him a rude shock, and he resolved, +rather than allow a suspicion of his affection to make trouble for the +sweet girl who had become the one coveted object of his life, to bury it +so deep in his heart that no other should ever mistrust it. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +WILLFUL VIOLET HAS HER OWN WAY. + + +That same evening a thoroughly competent nurse was installed by Violet's +bedside, and Mrs. Mencke, having given certain directions regarding the +care of her sister, returned to her home on Auburn avenue. + +She came every day afterward, however, to ascertain how Violet was +progressing, and though for a week her fever ran very high, and the +doctor considered her alarmingly ill, yet at the end of that time she +began slowly but surely to mend. + +Consciousness returned, and with it the memory of all that had occurred +on that never-to-be-forgotten day, while she talked continually of the +brave young man who had saved her life. + +When she was first told that she was in the same house with him, the +rich color suffused her face, and an eager look of interest leaped into +her eyes. + +"In his home--am I? How strange!" she murmured; "how did it happen that +I was brought here?" + +"Those who found you thought that you were brother and sister," the +nurse told her, thinking it no harm that she should know all the +details, if she did not get excited. "They found you together, one of +his arms clasping you close to him, and both your hands locked about his +neck." + +A burning blush shot up to the girl's golden hair at this information. + +"He told me to--to cling to him," she said, in a low tone. + +"Of course; and it showed his good sense, too, for it was the only thing +that saved your life, dear child," replied the nurse; "and it seemed as +if he had not one thought for himself, then nor since, for his first +question, when the doctor goes to him, is about you." + +"How good--how noble of him! and he is so badly hurt, too," Violet said, +tremulously. + +"Oh, but he is coming out of it finely," the nurse said, reassuringly. +"There isn't a scratch on his face, and his broken bones are mending +nicely. He is already up and about, though he looks rather peaked, as if +he were still a good deal shaken up over the dreadful tragedy--for I +suppose you know that you and he are the only ones who came out of it +alive." + +"Oh! was every one else killed?" said Violet, with a shiver of horror. +"How dreadful!" + +She lay there, very quiet and thoughtful, for some time after that, but +by and by she asked: + +"Nurse, when may I get up?" + +"In a few days, dear, if you continue to improve as you have done during +the last week," the woman replied. + +"Then may I see him--Mr. Richardson? I must see him and thank him for +what he has done. Just think--he saved me from getting even a scratch or +a bruise." + +"Um!" returned the nurse, pursing up her lips; "your sister, Mrs. +Mencke, has given orders that you are not to receive any visitors while +you are here?" + +"Well, of course, and I do not care to see company much until I go home; +but you must let me see Mr. Richardson," Violet said, with some show of +spirit. + +"Well, maybe Mrs. Mencke wouldn't object; you can ask her when she +comes," said the nurse, doubtfully. + +"I shall do no such thing, and I am going to see Mr. Richardson!" +retorted Violet, wilfully, and flushing hotly. "The idea of her +objecting, when he saved my life, and when dear Mrs. Richardson has been +so kind! They would think me very ungrateful not to tell them how very, +very thankful I am." + +"But Mrs. Mencke said----" began the nurse, objectingly, for Violet's +sister had given very strict orders upon this very point. + +"I don't care what Belle said--Belle is too fresh sometimes!" Violet +cried, spiritedly, and relapsing a trifle into slang, in her irritation +over her sister's interference. + +The nurse changed the subject, and nothing more was said about the +matter. + +Three days later Violet was allowed to get up for the first time, and +after that she sat up every day. + +One morning she seemed to feel much stronger than usual, and the nurse +allowed her to be regularly dressed in a pretty pale-blue cashmere +wrapper, which Mrs. Mencke had sent the previous day; then she drew her +chair beside one of the windows, where she could look out upon the +street. + +She seemed very bright, and told the woman that she began to feel quite +like herself again. She certainly looked very pretty, though somewhat +pale and thin, showing that she had lost a little flesh during her +illness. + +"Now, nurse," Violet said, when the woman had tidied up the room, and +there seemed to be nothing more to be done just then, "don't you want to +go out and get the air for a little while? You have not been out once +since you came, and I am so well and comfortable to-day, you might go +just as well as not." + +"Thank you, miss; it would be a pleasant change," the woman returned, +with a longing look out of the window. + +"Then go, by all means, Mrs. Dean," Violet said, eagerly, "and stay an +hour if you like. I know Mrs. Richardson would wait upon me if I should +need anything, which I am sure I shall not," she concluded, with a +furtive glance toward the sitting-room, where, during the last +half-hour, she had heard, now and then, the rattle of a newspaper, and +surmised that her young hero was engaged in perusing the morning news +there. + +The temptation proved too strong to be resisted, and Mrs. Dean, taking +Violet at her word, yielded, and soon after went forth into the glorious +sunshine, to enjoy the privilege so kindly given. + +Violet sat and watched her until she was well down the street, a queer +little smile on her pretty lips; but her attention was presently +attracted by the entrance of Mrs. Richardson, who came to see if she +wanted anything, and to bring her a little silver bell, to ring in case +she should need her. + +"How well you are looking to-day, dear," she said, as she noticed her +bright eyes and the faint flush which was just beginning to tinge her +cheek, "I am really surprised at your rapid improvement during the last +few days." + +"I feel almost well. I believe I could do an hour's practice if there +was only a piano here," Violet answered, as she glanced wistfully at her +music-roll, which lay on the table near her. + +"I am sorry that we have none," Mrs. Richardson replied, "but perhaps it +is just as well, after all, for the effort might be too much for your +strength. Can I do anything for you?" + +"Thank you, no," Violet answered, with an appreciative smile. + +"Then I am going down into the laundry for a while, but I will leave +this bell with you; if you need me, ring, and I will come instantly." + +"You are very good," the young girl said, then, with a rising flush and +downcast eyes, she asked: "How is Mr. Richardson this morning?" + +"Doing finely, dear, thank you, only he gets a trifle impatient, now and +then, because his arm is useless, and he cannot go back to work." + +"It must be very tedious for him, and I am very sorry," Violet said, +with a regretful sigh. Then with a timid, appealing glance: "May I not +see him, Mrs. Richardson, and tell him how I appreciate his heroism and +the service he rendered me?" + +Mrs. Richardson colored at this request, for she had overheard Mrs. +Mencke telling the nurse to be sure and not allow any one to see Violet, +save those who had the care of her, and she well understood what that +injunction meant; consequently her pride and sense of what was right +would not allow her to take advantage of the nurse's absence to bring +about a meeting between the young people. So she replied, with quiet +gravity: + +"I would not like to assume the responsibility of granting your request +to-day, dear; we must not tax your strength too much at first; some +other time, perhaps." + +She put the bell where Violet could reach it, telling her to be sure to +ring if she needed anything, then she went out, leaving the door +slightly ajar. + +As she disappeared Violet nodded her sunny head mischievously, and shot +a wicked little smile after her. + +"You are the dearest darling in the world," she murmured, "and I know +you are resolved not to be guilty of doing anything to offend my proud +sister. You will not 'assume the responsibility,' but I will. Mrs. Belle +just isn't going to have her way, all the same, and I am going to have +mine if I can manage it. I wonder if I could walk into the other room." + +She glanced toward the door and seemed to be measuring the distance with +her eye. + +"I am going to try it anyway," said this willful little lady, as she +deliberately slipped out of her chair and stood upon her feet. + +She found herself still very weak, and for a moment it seemed as if her +trembling limbs would not support her, but the determination to outwit +her haughty sister had taken possession of her, and she was bound to +accomplish her purpose. + +She managed to get to a common cane-seat chair, and pushing this before +her as a support, sitting down once or twice to rest, she at length +reached the door leading into the other room. + +Wallace Richardson was sitting by a window, his back toward the parlor +where Violet had been ill. He had been reading the morning paper, but it +had dropped upon his knees and he had fallen into a fit of musing, his +thoughts turning, as they did involuntarily, to that fearful ride down +the inclined plane, while he always saw in imagination that wild look of +appeal upon the lovely face of Violet Huntington, as she instinctively +turned to him for help. + +Suddenly he was startled by a slight movement near him, and, glancing +up, he beheld the object of his thoughts standing in the door-way just +behind him. + +"Miss Huntington!" he cried, starting to his feet in amazement and +consternation, "I am afraid you are very imprudent. Do you want +something? Can I do anything for you?" + +"Yes, if you will please help me to that chair I will be much obliged; I +am not quite so strong as I thought I was, and find myself a little +tired," Violet replied, looking very pale after her unusual exertion. + +"I should think so, indeed! Here, take this chair," said Wallace as he +gently helped her, with his well hand, to the chair that he had just +vacated. + +"Thank you," Violet said, as she sank panting into it; then, glancing up +at him with a roguish smile, she continued: "Don't look so shocked, Mr. +Richardson; I suppose I am a trifle pale, but I am not going to faint, +as I see you fear. I was lonely in there by myself and imagined that you +were also, so I took a sudden notion that I would pay you a little +visit. I--I thought it was about time that we made each other's +acquaintance and compared notes upon our injuries." + +Wallace thought that he had never seen any one so pretty as she was at +that moment. Her golden hair had been carelessly knotted at the back of +her head, while a few short locks lay in charming confusion upon her +white forehead. Her delicate blue wrapper, with its filmy lace ruffles +at the neck and waists, was exceedingly becoming, while the laughing, +roguish light in her lovely azure eyes thrilled him with a strange +sensation. Then, too, the thought that she had made all this exertion +just for the purpose of seeing him made his heart leap with delight. + +"I had no idea that you were able to make such an effort," he managed to +say in reply, though he could never remember afterward what answer he +did make. + +Her strength and color were coming back now that she was seated, and she +laughed out mischievously. + +"It was an experiment," she said, "perhaps a hazardous one, and I must +make my visit and get back before nurse returns, or I fear I shall get a +vigorous scolding; but I just had to come to see you--I couldn't wait +any longer. When I think of how much I owe you, it seems perfectly +heartless that I have not told you how thankful I am for the life that +you have saved; but for you I might have shared the fate of the others," +and tears were in the beautiful eyes uplifted to his face. + +"Do not think of it, Miss Huntington," Wallace said, growing pale as his +own thoughts went back to those moments of horror. + +"Why not?" she cried, impulsively. "Why should I not think of it and +speak of it, too, when I see this poor arm"--and she touched it almost +reverently with her dainty fingers--"when I realize how thoughtless of +self you were in trying to save me? Ah! and that poor hand, too," she +added, as she caught sight of his right hand, which had been badly cut +by broken glass, and on which she saw a broad strip of court-plaster, +"how much you have suffered!" + +And carried away by her feelings, forgetful of all but the gratitude +that filled her warm, young heart, she suddenly bent forward and +impulsively touched her lips to the wounded hand that hung by his side. + +Wallace caught his breath. That touch was like electricity to him, and +the rich color surged up to his brow. + +"Miss Huntington, don't!" he cried; "you overestimate what I did." + +"No, indeed I do not," Violet returned, earnestly, and then, overcome by +the sudden realization of what she had done--that he was almost a +stranger and she had been guilty of a rash and perhaps unmaidenly act--a +burning blush leaped to the roots of her hair, and for the moment she +was speechless from shame and embarrassment. + +"Pardon me," she said, after an awkward silence. "I forgot myself--I +forgot everything but that I owe you my life." + +Then tossing back her head and shooting a half appealing, half defiant +look at him, to cover her confusion, she said, with a bewitching little +pout: + +"But now that I have come to call upon you, Mr. Richardson, aren't you +going to entertain me?" + +The change from embarrassment to this pretty piquancy was so +instantaneous and so charming that Wallace's face grew luminous with +admiration and delight. A smile wreathed his lips, and there came a look +into his eyes that made her flush consciously again. + +"Certainly; I shall only be too happy. What can I do to amuse you? Shall +I read to you?" + +Violet shrugged her shoulders. + +"No, talk to me," she said, with pretty imperiousness. "I have been shut +up so long that I am pining for entertaining society." + +Wallace flushed at this. He was not used to talking to fine young +ladies; he had been very little in society, and had met but very few +people in fashionable life. His days were occupied by work, for he had +to support himself and his mother, while his evenings were devoted to +study. + +But he really desired to amuse his lovely visitor, and so, going to a +book-case, he took down a large, square book and brought it to her. + +"Have you ever seen any agricultural drawings, Miss Huntington?" he +inquired. + +"No," Violet said. + +"Do you think it would interest you to examine some?" + +"Oh, yes," she answered, eagerly. + +She would have been interested in anything which he chose to talk about. + +"I am glad of that," he returned, "for architecture is to be the +business of my life, and I can talk more fluently upon that subject that +upon any other." + +Then he opened the book and began to show her his drawings. + +"Since a little boy I have desired to be an architect," he told her, +"and while my father lived I had every advantage which I chose to +improve; but after his death misfortune obliged me to give up school and +to go to work. I chose the carpenter's trade--my father was a contractor +and builder--for I reasoned that a practical knowledge of the +construction of buildings would help me in the profession which I hope, +even yet, to perfect myself in. All my evenings during the past four +years have been spent in the drawing-school, and where, during the last +two years I have, a portion of each night, served as a teacher." + +He pointed out to Violet several of his own designs, all of which, she +could readily see, were very fine, and some exceedingly beautiful. + +While discussing some point, Violet casually compared it with something +that she had seen in ancient structures abroad, and this led them to +enlarge upon the architecture of the old country, until they grew very +free and friendly in their conversation. + +Neither was aware how rapidly time was passing, until the clock struck +the hour of eleven; then, with a sudden start, the young girl exclaimed +that she must get back to her own room at once, or run the risk of being +scolded should the nurse find her there. + +"I can get back to my chair much more quickly, Mr. Richardson, if you +will help me," she said, with an arch look, as she arose from her seat +by the window; and Wallace, with another thrill of delight, gave her his +well arm and assisted her to cross the room, a feat which she +accomplished much more easily than before. + +When he had seated her comfortably, she gave him a roughish glance, and +remarked, playfully: + +"I suppose it is polite for people to return calls, isn't it, Mr. +Richardson?" + +He laughed out heartily, and thought her the most bewitching little +piece of humanity he had ever seen. + +"I suppose it is," he answered; then growing grave, he added, "but I +understand that your sister does not think it advisable for you to have +visitors." + +"Nonsense!" began Violet, impatiently, then espying the nurse just +mounting the steps, she continued, "but there is Mrs. Dean. I will +discuss the calling question with you some other time. Good-by." + +Wallace took the hint implied in this farewell, returned to the +sitting-room, where he was apparently deeply absorbed in the contents of +his paper when the refreshed and smiling nurse entered. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A PARTING SOUVENIR. + + +A week went by, and both patients continued to improve, but the weather +being unfavorable--a cold wind prevailing--the physician would not +consent to have Violet removed to Auburn avenue until it was milder. + +Every pleasant morning, however, Violet insisted upon having the nurse +go out for an airing, telling her to remain as long as she liked, and +just as often the young girl succeeded in securing an interview with +Wallace. + +She saw that both he and Mrs. Richardson were averse to his returning +her call, and she did not urge it; but in her pretty, imperious way she +insisted that he must help her out into the sitting-room or she should +get "awfully homesick" staying in the parlor all the time. + +They could not well refuse her request, and every morning as soon as the +nurse disappeared she went out to them. + +Sometimes Mrs. Richardson would remain and join in their conversation, +but this could not always be, for her household duties must be attended +to, and so they were often left by themselves. + +Occasionally Wallace read to her from the daily paper, or from some +interesting book; but more frequently they spent the time conversing, +growing every day more friendly, and falling more and more under the +spell of each other's society. + +Wallace realized his danger--knew that every hour spent in the fair +girl's presence was serving to make him more wholly her slave. + +That first meeting, when she had come upon him so unexpectedly, had +assured him that he could not see her often without riveting the chains +of his love more hopelessly about him. Her exquisite beauty, her +artless, impulsive manner, the glance of her beautiful eyes, all moved +him as he had never been moved before, and warned him that danger to +both lay in indulging himself in the delight of her society. + +Danger! Yes, for he well knew that he--a poor carpenter who had to toil +with his hands for his daily bread--ought never to speak words of love +to the delicate girl who had been reared amid the luxuries of wealth; +knew that her haughty relatives would scorn such an alliance with one in +his humble circumstances. + +But he seemed powerless to prevent it--powerless to save either himself +or her; for Violet, all unconscious of the precipice toward which they +were drifting, thinking only of the enjoyment of the moment, persisted +in seeing him, day after day, and thus, before she was aware of the +fact, becoming entangled in coils from which she was never to escape. + +Mrs. Mencke came every afternoon, but never remained long, for she was a +woman of many social obligations, and thought if she simply came to +inquire regarding Violet's welfare, she was doing her whole duty by her. + +She always found her alone with the nurse, or with Mrs. Richardson, if +the former was busy, and fondly imagined that everything was all right; +never suspecting the mischief--as she would be likely to regard it--that +was being brewed by that artful little god of love--Cupid. + +Doctor Norton finally gave his consent to having Violet removed, and on +the same day, when Mrs. Mencke paid her usual visit, she was told that +to-morrow she would be taken home. + +The young girl received this unwelcome news in silence, but a great +darkness seemed suddenly to have fallen around her. + +After her sister's departure she turned to Mrs. Richardson, and the +woman saw that her eyes were full of tears. + +"Dear Mrs. Richardson," she said, "I am so sorry to leave you! I have +been so happy here--it is such a quiet, peaceful place, and you have +been so kind to me, I really feel homesick at the thought of going +home--and that sounds like a paradox, doesn't it?" + +Mrs. Richardson smiled fondly into the fair face lifted to hers, though +an expression of pain flitted over her brow at the same time. + +"I shall be just as sorry to give you up as you can be to go," she +replied. "You have been a very patient invalid, and it has been simply a +pleasure to have you here. Still, your home is so delightful, and you +have so many kind friends, you will soon forget your quiet sojourn on +Hughes street." + +"No, indeed--never!" Violet returned, flushing. Then she added, +impulsively, while a great longing seemed to sweep over her: "I know +that my home is beautiful with everything that money can buy, but--there +is no soul in it." + +"My dear child! I am sure you do not mean that," said Mrs. Richardson, +reprovingly. "That is a very sad thing to say about one's own home." + +"Yes, I do mean it," Violet answered, with quivering lips. "Belle is +good enough in certain ways, and I suppose she is fond of me, after a +fashion; but she is a society woman, and always full of engagements, +while Wilhelm cares for nothing but his horses and his business. I wish +I had a mother," and a pathetic little sob concluded the sentence. + +During the weeks of her illness, the young girl had found a long-felt +void filled by the care and tenderness of this motherly woman. + +Mrs. Richardson laid her hand caressingly upon the golden head, and her +heart yearned over the fair invalid. She also had longed for a loving +daughter, to brighten and soothe her declining years, even as Violet +longed for a mother. + +Violet reached up and clasped the tender hand, and brought it round to +her lips. She was naturally an affectionate little thing, and much given +to acting upon the impulse of the moment. + +"I shall always love you, dear Mrs. Richardson, and you will let me come +to see you, will you not?" she asked, appealingly. + +"Certainly, dear. I shall be very glad to see you at any time," she +answered, heartily, and deeply touched by the young girl's evident +affection for her; but she changed the subject, and began to chat +entertainingly upon other topics, for she saw that she was really +depressed by the thought of going back to her "soulless" home. + +The next morning an elegant carriage, drawn by a pair of coal-black +horses in silver-mounted harness, drove to the humble home of the +Richardsons in Hughes street, and the colored driver presented a note +from Mrs. Mencke, saying that Violet was to return home at once; that +she had an important engagement and could not come for her herself, but +wished that the nurse should attend her instead. + +Violet was very pale and quiet as they dressed her for the drive, while +her heavy eyes often turned to the door leading into the sitting-room +with a wistful, regretful glance. + +"I shall miss you so much, Mrs. Richardson. You will come to see me, +will you not?" she said, as she put up her lips for her good-by kiss. + +"Yes, I will come within a few days. I shall want to know how you are +getting on. There, you are all ready now, I believe," she concluded, as +she folded a light shawl about her shoulders, for though the day was +warm, they wished to guard against all danger of her taking cold. + +But Violet stood irresolute a moment, then she said: + +"I want--may I go to say good-by to all--to Mr. Richardson?" and a +burning flush mounted to her brow as she made the request. + +Mrs. Richardson looked grave as she remarked the blush, but she gave the +desired permission; and while she went to assist the nurse to put +Violet's things in the carriage, the young girl moved slowly toward the +sitting-room, where she found Wallace, looking pale and depressed, his +fine lips drawn into a firm, white line. + +"I have come to say good-by," Violet remarked, as she approached him +with downcast eyes. "I--I hope you will soon be quite well again; but, +oh! Mr. Richardson, if I could only do something to show you how----" + +"Please, Miss Huntington, never refer to the accident in that way +again," Wallace returned, speaking almost coldly, because of the +restraint he was imposing upon himself. + +He had not realized until that morning how very desolate he should feel +when Violet was gone, for she might as well be going out of the world +altogether, as far as he was concerned, he thought, as back to Auburn +avenue. + +How could he let her go--resign her to another sphere, as it were, for +some favorite of fortune to win? He was suffering torture, and it seemed +almost impossible for him to bid her a formal good-by. + +Violet lifted a pained, startled look to his face at his cold, reserved +tone. + +"Forgive me. I did not mean to offend you," she said; "but you must +understand something of how I feel. I know that you have saved my life. +I shall never forget it as long as I live, and you must let me unburden +my heart in some way. At least, I may give you a little keepsake, if +nothing more," she pleaded, earnestly. + +He smiled into her upturned face. She was so fair, so eager, he had not +the heart to repulse her. + +"Yes, I should be very glad of some souvenir--you are very good to think +of it," he said, with a thrill in his tones which brought the color back +to her pale cheeks. + +"Thank you for conceding even that much," she returned, brightening; +"and now I wonder what it shall be." + +"The simplest thing you can think of," Wallace said, hastily; "something +that you have worn would be most precious----" + +He cut himself short, for he felt that he was betraying too much of what +was in his heart. + +Violet flashed a sly look at him, and her pulses leaped at his words, +and the glance that accompanied them. + +"Something that I have worn," she murmured, musingly. + +She glanced at her hands, where, upon her white fingers, gleamed several +valuable rings, but she instinctively felt that none of these would be a +suitable offering. + +He certainly would not care for a bracelet--he would not accept her +watch. + +Then suddenly one dainty hand went up to her throat, where her collar +was fastened with a beautiful brooch to which there was attached a +pendant as unique as it was lovely. + +"Will you have this?" she asked, touching it. "Mamma gave it to me one +birthday--you shall have the pendant to wear on your chain, and I will +keep the brooch always." + +She unfastened the ornament and held it out to him. + +The pendant was a small golden medallion with richly enameled pansy, a +tiny diamond in its centre, on one side, while upon the other was +engraved the name "Violet." + +Wallace flushed with pleasure; he could have thought of nothing that +would afford him so much gratification. Still he hesitated to take it. + +"I do not like to rob you of your mother's gift," he said, gently. + +"Please take it; I want you to have it--that is, if you would like it," +Violet said, eagerly, and looking so lovely in her earnestness that he +longed to take her in his arms and claim her for his own, then and +there. + +"You are sure you will not regret it?" he asked. + +"No--no, indeed; and you can easily detach it, for it is only fastened +by this slender ring." + +"I think you will have to do that for me," he returned, smiling, and +glancing down at his bandaged arm, "for I have only one hand at my +disposal." + +"True; how thoughtless I am," Violet answered, flushing, and, taking a +pair of scissors that lay upon the table, she easily pried the ring +apart, detached the pendant and laid it in his hand. + +"Thank you," Wallace said, but he was very pale as his fingers closed +over the precious gift, and he felt that fate was very cruel to force +him to keep silent when his heart was so full of a deathless love. "It +is a beautiful little souvenir, and I shall prize it more than I can +tell you, Miss Huntington." + +Violet tapped her foot impatiently upon the floor and frowned. + +"Miss Huntington," she repeated, sarcastically; "how formal! Call me +Violet--I do not like to be held at arm's length by my friends. But Mrs. +Dean is calling me, and I suppose I must go. I have been very happy here +in your home in spite of my illness; I have learned to love your mother +dearly, and she has promised to come to see me; will you come with her?" + +How sweet and gracious she was! how she tempted him with her beauty and +her artless, impulsive ways, and it required all his moral strength to +resist her and preserve the secret of his love. + +"I am afraid I cannot," he replied. + +"Why not?" Violet questioned, in a surprised, hurt tone. + +"You forget that I am but a laborer--I have little time for social +pleasures." + +"But you cannot work now--it will be several weeks yet before your arm +will be strong enough to allow you to go back to your duties," Violet +returned, searching his face intently. + +Wallace flushed hotly; he knew that was a lame excuse to give her; he +knew, too, that he must not put himself in the way of temptation; and, +believing a straightforward course the wisest, he frankly said: + +"Miss--Violet," faltering a little over the name, but not wishing to +wound her again by the more formal mode of address, "I do not need to +tell you, I am sure, how much pleasure it would give me to meet you now +and then, but you well know that poor young men, like myself, are not +often welcome in the home of the rich; indeed, I should feel myself out +of place among the fashionable people with whom you mingle." + +"You need not!" Violet exclaimed, earnestly. "I should feel proud to +introduce you to any, or all, of my friends, and I promise that you +shall receive a most cordial welcome in my home if you ever honor me by +entering it. Now, good-by, Wal--Mr. Richardson, for I must go." + +She held out her hand to him, and he took it in a strong, fond +clasp--the first time he had ever held it thus, and the last, he told +himself--with almost a feeling of despair, for he believed that +henceforth they would go their separate ways and have nothing in common. + +He accompanied her out and helped her into the carriage, but with a keen +pain in his heart, as he saw two diamond-like drops fall upon the velvet +cushions as she took her seat, and knew that they were tears of regret +over this parting. + +The nurse followed her charge, the coachman sprang upon his box, and +with one wave of a white hand, one lingering look from a pair of azure +eyes, Violet was gone, and that humble home in Hughes street seemed, to +one person at least, like a house in which there had been a death, and +from which peace and contentment had forever flown. + +There was no one but the servants to welcome Violet home, for Mrs. +Mencke had not returned, and the poor girl felt forlorn and desolate +enough. + +After bidding the nurse good-by, for the woman had only been +commissioned to see her safely home, she went wearily up to her own +room, where, after removing her wraps and dismissing her maid, she threw +herself upon her bed in a passion of tears, and longing for the +caressing touch of Mrs. Richardson's tender hand and the sound of her +affectionate, motherly voice. + +When Mrs. Mencke finally returned and went to her she found her +sleeping, but looking feverish, the tears still upon her cheeks, and +with a mournful droop to her sweet lips that was really pathetic. + +She awoke with a start and found herself gazing up into the handsome +face of her sister. + +"Well, Violet, I suppose you are glad to be at home again," Mrs. Mencke +remarked, cheerfully, but regarding her searchingly. + +Violet gave utterance to a deep sigh, but hesitated before replying. + +"It is very comfortable here," she at last said, glancing around the +luxurious apartment. + +"I should think so, indeed, after the close quarters you have inhabited +of late," said Mrs. Mencke, with a contemptuous laugh. "Why, the +servants' rooms here are better than any portion of that house." + +"Ye-s, but it was very quiet and peaceful and home-like there, and +everything was very neat and clean," said Violet, with another sigh. + +"Well, everything is neat and clean here also, isn't it?" demanded her +sister, sharply, for cleanliness was one of her especial hobbies. + +"Of course; but where have you been, Belle?" Violet asked, anxious to +change the subject, and glancing over her sister's richly clad figure. + +"Oh, to a grand luncheon given by the Lincoln Club," Mrs. Mencke +replied, all animation; "and if you had only been well I certainly +should have taken you; I don't know when I have attended so brilliant an +affair. But, never mind, you will come out next season, and then we will +have plenty of amusement." + +Violet did not appear to share her sister's eager anticipation of this +event and Mrs. Mencke was secretly much irritated by her languid +indifference. + +"I sincerely hope that beggarly carpenter hasn't had an opportunity to +put any nonsense in her head," she mused. "What a piece of luck!--that +she happened to be in that car that day. Of course, the fact that he +saved her life has cast a glamour of romance around him--Violet is very +impressionable--and it may take time to disenchant her. I hope that +nurse was vigilant and did not allow her to see much of him; however, +one thing is sure, she won't get a chance to see him henceforth." + +Mrs. Mencke was very confident of her ability to put an end to the +acquaintance, but she had yet to learn that there were certain events in +life which she was powerless to control. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +VIOLET ASSERTS HERSELF. + + +Mrs. Richardson never paid Violet her promised visit, for Mrs. Mencke +realized almost immediately that something was very wrong about her +young sister, who appeared strangely listless and unhappy, and she often +found her in tears. + +"This will never do," the worldly woman said, with an energy and +decision that governed all her movements. "I'm not going to have Violet +moping about like a silly, love-sick damsel." + +And after a hasty consultation with the family physician, with scarcely +a day's warning, she whisked her off to Saratoga, where she engaged +rooms at the Grand Union for two months, and when Mrs. Richardson called +to see her recent patient, she found the elegant mansion on Auburn +avenue closed and could not ascertain whither the Menckes had gone. + +The change proved to be very beneficial. Saratoga was, of course, very +gay; there was a constant round of pleasure into which Violet was at +once drawn, for Mrs. Mencke was a great lover of society, and she soon +became interested as any young girl naturally would under the same +circumstances. There was no more moping--there were no more tears; +Violet gave herself up, with true girlish abandon, to the allurements +that presented themselves on every side, became a great favorite among +the guests of the large hotel, grew round, rosy, happy, and more +beautiful than ever, much to the satisfaction of her sister, who +congratulated herself that the "beggarly young carpenter" was entirely +forgotten. + +Two months were spent at this fashionable resort, then six weeks more +were occupied in visiting other places of interest, and when they +returned to Cincinnati, about the middle of September, Violet seemed +entirely herself once more; she was full of life and spirits, the old +light of mischief and happiness danced in her beautiful eyes, while she +was planning for and looking forward to the coming season with all the +zeal and enthusiasm of a young debutante. + +The day following their arrival at home Violet came in from a round of +calls that she had been making, and, feeling too weary to go up to her +room just then, she threw herself into a comfortable chair in the +library, and took up a paper that lay on the table. + +Almost the first words that caught her eye, and sent a thrill of horror +through her, were these: + + "DIED--On the 12th instant, at her home, No. ---- Hughes + street, Mary Ida Richardson, aged 48 years and 9 months. + Funeral from her late residence, the 14th, at 2 o'clock P. M." + +A cry of pain broke from Violet as she read this. + +Her dear, kind friend dead! Gone away out of the world into eternity, +and she would never see her again! + +It did not seem possible; she could not believe it. Poor Wallace, too! +how desolate he would be! And, bowing her face upon her hands, the young +girl sobbed as if her heart was broken. + +All at once, however, she started to her feet. + +The fact that this was the 14th had suddenly forced itself upon her. The +paper was two days old. + +Glancing at the clock she saw that it was half-past twelve; but she +might be in time for the last sad services for the dead if she should +hasten. + +Mrs. Mencke was out, as usual, and Violet was glad of it, for she knew +that she would oppose and might even flatly forbid her going. + +Hastening to her room, she exchanged her elaborate visiting costume for +a simple black cashmere, tore a bright feather from a black hat, drew on +a pair of black gloves, and thirty minutes later was in the street +again. + +She hailed the first car that came in sight, and even though she was +obliged to take a second car, she reached Hughes street about twenty +minutes of two. + +As she entered the home of the Richardsons she was met by a kind-looking +woman, a neighbor, whom she had seen once or twice during her illness, +and with a quivering lip she begged that she might go into the parlor +herself and take a look at her friend before the people began to gather. + +Permission was readily given to her, the woman herself leading the way, +and considerately shutting the door so that she might be by herself, as +she took her last look at the dear friend who had been so kind to her. + +Mrs. Richardson must have died suddenly, she thought, for she was not +changed in the least, and lay as if calmly asleep. There was nothing +ghastly or unpleasant about her. A look of peace and rest was on the +sweet face. Her hair had been dressed just as she was in the habit of +wearing it, and a mass of soft lace had been filled into the front of +her dress, while some one had placed a few sprays of mignonette and +lilies of the valley in her still hands. + +"Oh, dear Mrs. Richardson, you cannot be dead!" Violet breathed, as she +bent over her with streaming eyes. "It is too, too sad; you were so +kind, and I had learned to love you so dearly. What will Wallace do? How +can he bear it?" + +She smoothed her soft hair with her trembling fingers, never thinking of +shrinking from the still, cold form, for it was so life-like. She drew +the lace a little closer about the neck, and arranged the flowers less +stiffly in her hands, murmuring fond words and tender regrets while thus +engaged. + +But, after a few moments, overcome with her grief, she seated herself +upon a low ottoman behind the casket, and leaned her head against it, +weeping silently. + +She was so absorbed by her sorrow that she did not hear the door as it +was softly opened and closed again, and was not conscious that any one +else was in the room, until she heard a deep, heart-broken sob, and a +familiar voice break forth in the agonized cry: + +"Mother! oh, mother!" + +Then she realized that Wallace was there, and her heart went forth to +him in loving sympathy, for she knew that he had lost the only near +friend that he had in the world. + +She did not move for a few moments, however, for she felt that his grief +was too deep and sacred to be disturbed; but after a little he grew more +calm, and then she said, in a low, tremulous tone: + +"Wallace, I am so grieved." + +He started, and turned his pale face toward her. + +"Violet!" he exclaimed, astonished. + +"Yes," she said. "I only came home yesterday, and by the merest chance +read the news of this to-day. Oh, Wallace, she was a dear, dear woman!" + +"She was, indeed," he replied, clasping the hand she extended to him, +and feeling inexpressibly comforted by this fair girl's tribute to his +loved one. + +He noticed, and was touched also by the fact, that Violet was all in +black, and he knew that she had robed herself thus out of grief for his +dead. + +"I loved her," the young girl said, with touching simplicity. Then she +added: "I know I cannot say anything to comfort you, but, believe me, my +heart is full of sorrow for her loss, and of sympathy for you." + +How lovely she was, standing there beside him, her fair face and sunny +hair in such striking contrast with her black dress, and with her azure +eyes raised in such heartfelt sympathy to his. + +Her hand still lay in his, for both had unconsciously retained their +clasp after their first greeting, and he knew by her clinging fingers +how sincere her sorrow and sympathy were. + +"My darling, I know it; and your presence is inexpressibly comforting to +me." + +"My darling!"--he had said it without thinking. + +During all the long weeks that they had been separated he had called her +thus to himself, and now the word had slipped from him unawares, and he +would have given worlds to have been able to recall them. + +Violet's white lids fluttered and then drooped consciously, while a +vivid flush arose to her brow. + +This brought Wallace to his senses. He also colored hotly, and a feeling +of dismay took possession of him. There was a dead silence for a moment; +then he added, humbly: + +"Forgive me; I did not know what I was saying." + +He would have released her hand, but her small fingers closed more +firmly over his; she shot one dazzling gleam of light up at him from her +lovely eyes and whispered, shyly: + +"I am glad!" + +And he knew that she was all his own--that she loved him even as he +loved her. + +A great wave of thankfulness, of sacred joy, swept over his soul, only +to be followed by a feeling of despair, darker and deeper than any he +had yet experienced, for he knew that he should not, must not accept the +priceless boon of her love which she had so freely and so artlessly +yielded to him. + +But there was no time for explanations, for at that moment the door was +opened again, and the woman, Mrs. Keen, whom Violet had met when she +first came, entered, to make some inquiry of Wallace, and to tell him +that the clergyman had arrived. + +Presently others, neighbors and acquaintances, began to gather, and then +it was time for the service. + +Violet never forgot that simple ceremony, for the clergyman, who knew +Mrs. Richardson intimately, seemed to glorify the death of the beautiful +woman. + +"She had simply stepped," he said, "from darkness into light--from toil +and care into rest and peace. The vail betwixt her and the Master, whom +she had loved, was lifted; her hitherto fettered soul was free, and in +the light of an eternal day no earthly sorrow, doubt, or trial could +reach her." + +Death, after that, never seemed the cruel enemy that it had previously +seemed to Violet. + +After it was all over, and Wallace had passed out to his carriage, Mrs. +Keen came to the young girl and asked her if she would like to follow +her friend to the cemetery. + +"If I may," Violet replied. "She was not a relative, but I loved her +very much." + +"Then come with me," the woman said, and, as she led the way out, she +explained that there were no relatives save Mr. Richardson, and it +seemed too bad that there should be no one but himself to follow his +mother to the grave, and that was why she had asked Violet to go with +her. + +The next moment Violet found herself in the carriage with, and seated +opposite to, Wallace. + +A feeling of dismay took possession of her, for she knew that the world +would criticise her severely for taking such a step. + +She had not dreamed that she would have to ride in the same carriage +with Wallace, and she wondered if he would understand how it had +happened. + +The matter could not be helped now, however, and for herself she did not +care; her motives had been good and pure; why then need she care for the +criticisms of people? + +The ride to Spring Grove Cemetery was a long and sad one, for scarcely a +word was spoken either going or returning. Wallace seemed absorbed in +his own sorrowful reflections, Mrs. Keen preserved a prim and gloomy +silence, and Violet was thus left to her own thoughts. + +She could not keep from thinking of those few sad yet sweet moments when +she had stood alone with Wallace by the casket of his mother, and heard +him speak those words which had changed, in one instant, her whole life. + +"My darling, your presence is inexpressibly comforting to me!" + +She knew that he had not meant to speak thus, that only a sense of his +own desolation and her unexpected sympathy, had made him forget himself, +break down all barriers, and betray the secret of his love. + +It had been an unexpected revelation to her, however; she had not +suspected the nature of his feelings toward her, nor of hers toward him, +until then; but now she knew that she loved him--that all the world, +with every other blessing and luxury at her command, would be worthless +to her without him to share it. + +When they reached Hughes street again Violet held out her hand to +Wallace, saying it was so late she must go directly home. + +Then he suddenly came to himself and realized how very tedious the long, +silent ride must have been for her. + +"Let me send you home in the carriage," he said, eagerly. + +"Thank you, no; I will take a car," Violet replied, so decidedly that he +did not press the matter further. + +It was very late when she reached home, and she found her sister quite +anxious over her prolonged absence. + +"Where have you been, Violet?" she demanded, somewhat impatiently; "it +is not the proper thing at all for you to be out so late alone. Mercy! +and you are all in black, too; I should think you had been at a +funeral." + +"I have; I have been to Mrs. Richardson's funeral," Violet replied, hot +tears rushing to her eyes. + +Mrs. Mencke looked startled. + +"Mrs. Richardson!" she repeated. "When did she die?" + +"Day before yesterday; and it was all by chance that I saw the notice of +her death in a paper. She died very suddenly of heart disease." + +"I wish I had known it, I would have gone with you," said Mrs. Mencke, +looking disturbed. + +"Would you?" Violet exclaimed, surprised. + +"Yes; it was not proper for you to go alone." + +The young girl's face fell; she had hoped her sister wanted to show this +tribute of respect to one who had been so kind to her. + +"Where was she buried?" Mrs. Mencke inquired. + +"At Spring Grove Cemetery." + +"Did you go out there?" + +"Yes," and Violet flushed slightly. + +"With whom did you ride?" demanded her sister, suspiciously. + +"With--Mr. Richardson and a Mrs. Keen." + +"Violet Draper Huntington!" ejaculated Mrs. Mencke, with indignant +astonishment, "you did not do such an unheard of thing?" + +Violet bridled at this. She was naturally sweet and gentle, but could +show spirit enough if occasion required. + +"Yes, I did," she returned, flushing, but tossing her small head +defiantly. "There were no friends excepting Mr. Richardson. Mrs. Keen +invited me to go with her, and, as I wanted to show the dear woman this +mark of respect, I went." + +"Don't you know that it was a very questionable act to follow Mrs. +Richardson to her grave in the company of her son?" demanded Mrs. Mencke +sternly. "What do you suppose the people of our set would say to such a +proceeding?" + +"I presume the people of 'our set' might consider it a questionable +act," Violet returned, with sarcastic emphasis. "Polite society is not +supposed to have much heart, anyway. But, to tell the truth, I thought I +was to ride in a separate carriage with Mrs. Keen, until I went out and +found Mr. Richardson in it. I was not going to wound him then by +refusing to go; and 'our set,' if it find it out, can say what it +pleases." + +"I most earnestly hope that none of our acquaintances will learn of your +escapade; they would be sure to couple your name very unpleasantly with +that of that low-born carpenter, especially if they should find out that +you put on mourning," returned Mrs. Mencke, with an expression of +intense disgust. + +"'Low-born carpenter,' indeed!" retorted Violet indignantly, and +flushing hotly. "Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Belle Mencke, after +what he has done for me? Wallace Richardson is a gentleman in every +sense of the word, and I am proud to call him my friend." + +"Perhaps you would be proud to accord him a more familiar title, even. +Our friends would be likely to suspect that he was thus favored if they +should discover what you have done to-day," sneered the haughty woman. + +Violet blushed vividly at this thrust, and for a moment looked so +conscious that her sister became suspicious and secretly alarmed. + +"I don't care, Belle," Violet said, hotly, after a moment of awkward +silence, "it would have been very ungrateful in me to stay away and I +would do the same thing over again to show my regard for dear Mrs. +Richardson. Now, if you please, you may let me alone upon the subject." + +"Look here, Miss Violet, you are trying me beyond all bounds," Mrs. +Mencke returned, losing control of her temper; "and now there is just +one thing that I want to say to you, and that is that you are to drop +this fellow at once and for all time. I won't have any nonsense or +sentiment just because he happened to do what any other man with a germ +of humanity would have done to save you from a violent death. It is all +very well to feel properly grateful to him, and I intend to pay him +handsomely for it, only I don't want to hear anything more about him +from you." + +Violet had grown very pale during the latter portion of this speech, and +her sister, who was observing her closely, could see that she was +trembling with suppressed emotions. + +"Belle Mencke," she said, in a husky tone, "do you mean to say that you +intend to offer Mr. Richardson money in return for my life?" + +"Of course. What else can I do? We must make him some acknowledgment, +and people in his station think more of money that of anything else," +was the coarse response. + +"That is false!" cried Violet, with blazing eyes. "Reverse your +statement, and say that people in your position think more of money than +of anything else, and you would come nearer the truth. Don't you dare to +insult that noble fellow by offering him money; if you do, I will never +forgive you while I live. Make him all the verbal acknowledgments you +please, as will be just and right, but don't forget that he is a +gentleman." + +Mrs. Mencke saw that she had gone too far, and made an effort to control +herself. She knew, from experience, that when Violet was once thoroughly +aroused it was not an easy matter to tame her. + +"There, Violet, you have said enough," she remarked, with forced +calmness. "You are only making yourself ridiculous, and I think we had +best drop the subject; only one thing I must insist upon, that you will +cut this young man's acquaintance at once." + +She arose as she spoke to meet her husband, who entered at that moment, +and Violet flew to her own room to remove her black attire, and to ease +her aching heart by shedding a few scalding tears, which would not be +kept back. + +It was very hard to hear Wallace spoken of so contemptuously when she +had learned to love him with all the strength of her soul, and knew him +to be, by nature and in character, far superior to the man whom her +sister called husband. + +She did not regret what she had done that day, and she had no idea of +dropping Wallace Richardson's acquaintance. No, indeed! Life would be +worth but very little to her now if he were taken out of it; and, though +she knew she would have many a vigorous battle to fight with her proud +sister if she defied her authority, she had no thought of yielding one +inch of ground, and was prepared to acknowledge Wallace as her betrothed +lover when the proper time to do so should come. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A CONFESSION AND ITS REPLY. + + +Wallace, in his lonely home, was of course very sad and almost stunned +by the blow that had fallen upon him so suddenly. + +For many years his mother had been the one object upon which he had +lavished the deep, strong affection of his manly nature. He had lost his +father when but a youth, but Mrs. Richardson had struggled bravely to +keep him at school, and give him as good an education as possible, for +he was a lad possessing more than ordinary capabilities and attainments. +By the time, however, that he graduated from the high school in the city +of Boston, Massachusetts, where they were living at that time, their +slender means gave out, and Wallace found that he must relinquish, at +least, for the present, his aspiration to perfect himself as an +architect, and do something for his own and his mother's support. + +He was but seventeen years of age at this time, but he was a strong, +manly fellow, and he resolved to take up the carpenter's trade, much +about which he already knew, for during his vacations he had often +worked, from choice, under the direction of his father. + +As he had told Violet, he felt that a practical and thorough knowledge +of the construction of buildings would be of inestimable benefit in the +future, for he had not by any means given up his intention of ultimately +becoming an architect. + +He applied to the builder and contractor who had grown up under and +succeeded to the business of his father, and the man readily agreed to +engage him, provided he would be willing to go to Cincinnati, where he +had managed to obtain a very large contract, and, for a lad of Wallace's +age, he offered him unusual inducements. + +At first Wallace demurred, for he could not bear the thought of leaving +his mother, and at that time they could not both afford to make the +change. + +But he finally concluded to make the trial, and at the end of six months +he had made himself so valuable to his employer that the man had +increased his wages, and promised him still further promotion if he +continued to progress as he had done. + +This change in his circumstances enabled Wallace to send for his mother +and to provide a comfortable little home for her. + +He was very ambitious; every spare moment was spent in study, while he +also attended an evening school for drawing, where he could receive +instruction in his beloved architecture. + +Thus, step by step, he went steadily on, perfecting himself in both his +trade and his profession until, at the opening of our story, six years +after leaving his native city, Boston, we find him and his mother still +residents of Cincinnati, and the young man in a fair way to realize the +one grand object of his life. + +Already he had executed a number of plans for buildings, which had been +approved, accepted, and fairly well paid for, while he had applied for, +and hoped to obtain, a lucrative position in the office of an eminent +architect, at the beginning of the new year. + +His accident had interrupted his business for several weeks, but he knew +that he should lose nothing pecuniarily, for the company that controlled +the incline-plane railway had agreed to meet all the expenses of his +illness, and pay him a goodly sum besides; so his enforced idleness had +not tried his patience as severely as it would have otherwise done. + +Indeed, he had not been idle, for he had devoted a good deal of time, +after he was able to be about, to the study of his beloved art. His +right hand, being only slightly injured he could use quite freely, and +he executed several designs which he was sure would be useful to him in +the future. + +His mother's sudden death, however, was a blow which almost crushed him. +He had never thought that she could die at least for long years for she +had apparently been in the enjoyment of perfect health. + +They were sitting together one evening, and had been unusually social +and merry, when Mrs. Richardson suddenly broke off in the middle of a +sentence, leaned back in her chair as if faint, and before Wallace could +reach her side, her spirit was gone. + +Wallace would not believe that she was dead until the hastily summoned +physician declared that life was entirely extinct and then the heavily +afflicted son felt as if his burden were greater than he could bear. + +He did not look upon that loved face again until the hour of the +funeral, when he went alone into their pretty parlor to take his last +farewell, and found Violet there before him. + +Her presence there had been "inexpressibly comforting" to him as he had +said, and in the sudden reaction and surprise of the moment he had +betrayed the secret of his love for her. + +He was shocked and filled with dismay when, after his return from the +grave of his mother, he had an opportunity to quietly think over what he +had done. + +He felt that he had been very unwise--that he had no right to aspire to +the hand of the beautiful heiress, for he could offer her nothing but +his true heart, and this, he well knew, would be scorned by Violet's +aristocratic relatives. + +Yet, in spite of his remorse, his heart leaped with exultation over the +knowledge that the lovely girl returned his affection. She had not +spoken her love, but he had seen it in her shy, sweet glance of surprise +and joy at his confession; he had felt it in the clinging clasp of her +trembling fingers, that would not let him release her hand; he had heard +it in every tone of her dear voice when she had told him, simply, but +heartily, that she "was glad." + +Was she glad to know that she was his "darling," or only glad because +her presence was a comfort to him in his hour of trial? + +Both, he felt very sure, and he kept repeating those three words over +and over until they became sweetest music in his soul. + +But he told himself that he must not accept the priceless gift of her +love. + +"What shall I do?" he cried, in deep distress. "I have compromised +myself; I have gone too far to retract, and she would deem unmanly if I +should keep silent and let the matter drop here." + +He sat for hours trying to decide what course to pursue, and finally he +exclaimed, with an air of resolution: + +"There is no other way but to make a frank explanation--confess my +sorrow for my presumption and ask her forgiveness; then I must take up +the burden of my lonely life and bear it as well as I can." + +The next morning, after he had partaken of his solitary breakfast, which +a kind and sympathizing neighbor sent in to him, he sat down to his task +of writing his confession to Violet. + +That evening the fair young girl received the following epistle: + + "My Dear Miss Huntington:--I am filled with conflicting + emotions, which it would be vain for me to try to explain, in + addressing you thus; but my mother taught me this motto in my + youth--and I have endeavored to make it the rule of my life ever + since--'If you do wrong confess it and make what reparation you + can.' I realize that I was guilty of great presumption and wrong + in addressing you so unguardedly as I did yesterday, when we stood + alone by my mother's casket. Pray forgive me, for, while I am + bound to confess that the words were forced from me by a true, + strong love, which will always live in my heart--a love such as a + man experiences but once in his life for a woman whom he would win + for his wife, if he could do so honorably--I know that, situated + as I am, with a life of labor before me and only my own efforts to + help me build up a possible fortune, I should not have betrayed + myself as I did. I was unnerved by my great sorrow, and your + gentle sympathy, coming as it did like balm to my wounded heart, + unsealed my lips before I was aware of it. Again I beg your + forgiveness, and with it forgetfulness of aught that could serve + to lower me in your esteem. + + "Sincerely yours, + + "Wallace Richardson." + +Violet was greatly excited by the contents of this letter, and burst +into a flood of tears the moment she had perused it. + +She understood just how matters stood. + +She comprehended how Wallace had grown to love her, even as she had, +though at the time unconsciously, learned to love him while she was an +invalid in his home; how, with his proud, manly sense of honor, he had +determined never to reveal his secret, from a fear that he would be +regarded as a fortune-hunter, and that her aristocratic relatives would +scorn an alliance with him on account of his poverty. + +But Violet felt that he was her peer, if not her superior, in every +respect save that of wealth; that a grand future lay before him--grand +because he would climb to the top-most round in the ladder of his +profession, if energy, perseverance, and unswerving rectitude could +attain it. + +He might be poor in purse now, but what of that? Money was of little +value compared with a nature so rich and noble as his; and, more than +that--she loved him! + +"Yes, I do!" she exclaimed, as she pressed to her lips the precious +letter that told of his love for her. "I am not ashamed of it either, +and--I am going to tell him of it." + +A crimson flush mounted to her brow as she gave expression to this +resolution, and, for a moment, a sense of maidenly reserve and timidity +oppressed her. The next she tossed back her pretty head with a resolute +air. + +"Why should I not tell him?" she said. "Why should I conceal the fact +when the knowledge will make two true, loving hearts happy? I have money +enough for us both, for the present, and by and by I know he will have +an abundance. I suppose Belle and Wilhelm will object and scold, but I +don't care; it is the right thing to do, and I am going to do it," and +she proceeded to put her resolution at once into action. + +She drew her writing tablet before her, and, with the tears still +glittering on her lashes and a crimson flush on her cheek, she penned +the following reply to her lover's letter: + + "Dear Wallace:--Your letter has just come to me. I have + nothing to 'forgive'--I do not wish to 'forget.' Perhaps I am + guilty of what the world would call an unmaidenly act in writing + thus, when your communication does not really call for a reply, + but I know my happiness, and, I believe, yours also, depends upon + perfect truthfulness and candor. Your unguarded words by your + mother's casket told me that you love me; your letter to-day + reaffirms it, and my own heart goes forth in happy response to all + that you have told me. + + "You have made use of the expression, 'presumption and wrong.' + Pardon me if I claim that you would have been guilty of a greater + wrong by keeping silent. Heaven has ordained that somewhere on + this earth each heart has its mate, and there would be much less + of secret sorrow, much less of domestic misery, if people would be + honest with each other and true to themselves. How many lives are + ruined by the worship of mammon--by the bondage of position! + Perhaps I might be accused of 'presumption'--of offending against + all laws of so-called etiquette, in making this open confession. + However it may seem, I am going to be true to myself, and my + convictions of what is right, and so I have opened my heart to + you. Still, if in writing thus, I have done aught that can lower + me in your esteem, I pray you to forgive and forget. + + "Violet Huntington." + +Violet would not allow herself to read over what she had written. + +She had penned the note out of the honesty and fullness of her fond +little heart; and, though she stood for a moment or two irresolute, +debating whether to tear it into pieces and thus cast her happiness +forever from her with the fragments, or to send it and trust to +Wallace's good sense to interpret it aright, her good angel touched the +balance in her favor, and she resolutely sealed and addressed the +missive. + +Then she stole softly down stairs and out to the street corner, where +she posted it with her own hands, after which she sped back to her +chamber and relieved her sensitive heart in another burst of tears. + +She would not have been human if she had not regretted her act, now that +it was past recall. She grew nervous and self-abusive, declared that she +had been unmaidenly, and made herself as wretched as possible. + +She dared not think what would be the result of her letter. Would +Wallace despise her for unsexing herself and almost proposing to him? +Would he, with his exaggerated ideas of honor still claim that it would +be unmanly to accept the love which she had so freely offered him? + +Thoughts such as these occupied her waking hours up to the following +afternoon, when she expected a letter from Wallace, and was deeply +disappointed when none came. + +Mr. and Mrs. Mencke had gone out to make some social calls, and Violet +was striving to divert her mind from the all-important theme, by going +over her music lesson for to-morrow. It was useless, however; there was +no music in her--everything was out of harmony, and her fingers refused +to do their work. + +She then tried to read, but her mind was in such a chaotic state that +words had no meaning for her, and she finally grew so nervous that she +could do nothing but pace up and down the room. + +The hours slowly dragged on, evening came, and she was upon the point of +going up stairs to bed, when a sudden ring at the door-bell made her +start with a feeling of mingled shame and joy. + +She listened breathlessly, while a servant went to answer the summons, +and then heard her usher some one in the drawing-room. + +A moment later the girl appeared in the library doorway, bearing a card +on a silver salver. + +"A caller for you, Miss Violet," she said, as she passed her the bit of +pasteboard. + +Violet grew dizzy, then the rich color surged over cheek and brow, as +she read the name of Wallace Richardson, written upon the spotless +surface in a beautiful, flowing hand. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +"HE IS MY AFFIANCED HUSBAND." + + +Violet stood as if dazed for a moment, after reading her lover's name, +and realized that he had come in person to reply to her letter, her +cheeks fairly blazing with mingled joy and agitation, her heart +fluttering like a frightened bird in its cage. + +Then she grew pale with a sudden fear and dread. + +What would be the outcome of this interview? + +Would it bring her happiness or sorrow? + +With trembling limbs, and a face that was as white as the delicate lace +about her throat, she went slowly toward the drawing-room to learn her +fate. + +Wallace, no less nervous and perturbed than herself, was pacing the +elegant apartment, but stopped and turned eagerly toward Violet as she +entered, his face luminous in spite of the stern self-control which he +had resolved to exercise. + +All the light died out of it however as he saw how pale she was. + +"Violet!--Miss Huntington! are you ill?" he cried, regarding her +anxiously. + +Again the rich color surged up to her brow at the sound of his dear +voice, for the tremulous tenderness in it told her that his heart was +all her own, and her elastic spirits rebounded at once. + +She shot a shy, sweet glance up into his earnest face, a witching little +smile began to quiver about her lovely lips, then she said, +half-saucily, but with charming confusion: + +"No--I am not ill; I--was only afraid that I had done something +dreadful. Have I?" + +All the worldly wisdom, with which the young man had tried to arm +himself, in order to shield the girl whom he so fondly loved from rashly +doing what she might regret later, gave way at that, and before he was +aware of what he was doing he had gathered her close in his arms. + +"My darling! no," he said; "you have done only what was true and noble, +and I honor you with my whole soul. If all women were one-half as +ingenuous there would be, as you have said, less misery in the world. +But so many are simply worldly-wise--thinking more of wealth and +position than they do of true affection, that their hearts starve, their +lives are warped and ruined. Violet, my heart's dearest, how shall I +tell you of my heart's great love? I cannot tell it--I shall have to let +a life-time of devotion attest it, but you have glorified my whole +future by assuring me of your affection." + +"Oh, I was afraid you would think me very bold--that you would regard me +with contempt," Violet sighed, tremulously. "After my letter had gone, +and I tried to think over what I had written more calmly, and to wonder +how you would regard it, I was almost sorry that I had sent it." + +"'Almost,' but not really sorry?" questioned Wallace, with a fond smile. + +"No, for I had to tell you the truth, if I told you anything, and no one +can be sorry for being strictly candid," she returned, "and," with a +resolute uplifting of her pretty head, while she looked him straight in +the eyes, "why should I not tell you just what was in my heart? Why does +the world think that a woman must never speak, no matter if she ruins +two lives by her silence? You told me that you loved me, although you +did not ask me if I returned your affection; but I knew that my life +would be ruined if I did not make you understand it. I do love you, +Wallace, and I will not be ashamed because I have told you of it." + +The young man was deeply moved by this frank, artless confession. He +knew there was not a grain of indelicacy or boldness in it; it was +simply a truthful expression of a pure and noble nature, the spontaneous +outburst of a holy affection responding to the sacred love of his own +heart, and the avowal aroused a profound reverence for an ingenuousness +that was as rare as it was perfect. + +He bent down and touched his lips to her silken hair. + +"There is no occasion," he said, earnestly, "and you have changed all my +life, my dear one, by adopting such a straightforward course. Still," he +added, with a slight smile, "I did not come here intending to tell you +just this, or with the hope that our interview would result in such open +confessions." + +"Did you not?" Violet asked, quickly, and darting a startling look at +him. + +"No, love; nay, rest content just where you are," he said, as she would +have withdrawn herself from his encircling arms, "for you may be very +sure I shall never give you up after this; but your letter must be +answered in some way; I knew that we must come to some final +understanding, and though truth would not allow me to disavow my love +for you, yet I wished you to realize fully that I would not presume to +take advantage of anything which you might have written upon the impulse +of the moment. I would not claim any promise of you which you might +regret when you should come to think of it more calmly; while, too, I +wished to assure myself that your friends would sanction your decision, +and absolve me from any desire to take a dishonorable advantage of you. +I would win you fairly, my Violet, or not at all." + +Violet flushed at this. + +"Did you expect to obtain the sanction of my sister or her husband +to--to our engagement?" she asked. + +"I did not come expecting to gain anything that I wanted," Wallace +returned, smiling, "for I had resolved not to take you at your word +until I had assured myself that you fully understood all that it would +involve; then, of course, I knew that the proper thing for me to do +would be to ask their consent to our betrothal." + +"And you intend to do this now?" Violet questioned. + +"Certainly. You are not of age, are you, dear?" + +"No; but, Wallace, they will never sanction it," Violet said, with +burning cheeks, but thinking it best to prepare him for the worst at the +outset. + +"Because of my present poverty and humble position?" he question, +gravely. + +"Yes, and money is their idol," the young girl frankly answered. + +"Then, Violet, I do not think it will be right for me to bind you by any +promise to become my wife, until I have earned a position and a +competence that will meet their approval and warrant me in asking for +your hand." + +Violet put him a little from her, and stood erect and proud before him. + +"You do not need to bind me by any promise," she said, in a low, +thrilling tone, "for when I gave you my love, I gave you myself as well. +I am yours while I live. In confessing my love for you, I have virtually +bound myself to you, and even if I am never your wife in name, I shall +be in soul until I die. You can ask the sanction of my sister and her +husband, as a matter of form. I know they will not give it; but they +have no moral right to come between us--they never shall! They are very +proud and ambitious; they hope"--and Violet colored crimson at the +confession--"to marry me to some rich man; but my heart and my hand are +mine to bestow upon whom I will; and, Wallace, they are yours, now and +forever." + +Wallace regarded her with astonishment, while he wondered if there was +ever so strange a betrothal before. + +He had asked no promise, but he felt that she could not have been more +surely bound to him if their marriage vows had already been +pronounced--at least, as far as her fidelity to him was concerned. + +"I am young, I know," Violet went on, after a moment--"I am not yet +quite eighteen--and Wilhelm is my guardian. He can control my fortune +until I am twenty-one; but that need make no difference with our +relations. You will be true to me, I know, and I do not need to assure +you of my own faithfulness, I am sure. Meantime you will be working up +in your profession, and when I do reach my majority and come into +possession of my money, I can do as I like, without asking the consent +of any one." + +"My faithful, true-hearted little woman, I had no idea there was such +reserve force beneath your gay, laughing exterior," Wallace returned, +tenderly. "What a royal gift you have bestowed upon me, my darling! I +accept it reverently, gratefully, and pledge you my faith in return, +while I do not need to assure you that I will not spare myself in +striving to win a name and a position worthy to offer my heart's queen. +You have changed the whole world for me," he continued, with emotion. "I +am no longer alone, and you have armed me with a zeal and courage, to +battle with the future, such as I should never have known under other +circumstances. My darling, I take your promise with your love, and when +the right time comes I shall claim my wife." + +He drew her to his breast again, and lifting her sweet face to his, he +touched her lips with a fond and reverent betrothal kiss. + +"Humph! Pray, Miss Violet, allow me to inquire how long you have been +posing for this interesting tableau?" + +This question, in the gruff, sarcastic tones of Wilhelm Mencke, burst +upon the lovers like an unexpected thunderclap, and, starting to her +feet, Violet turned to find her sister's husband standing not six feet +from her. + +Mrs. Mencke seemed rooted just inside the doorway, apparently too +paralyzed by the scene which she had just witnessed to utter a word, +while there was an indescribable expression of anger and disgust upon +her handsome face. + +For a moment Violet was so astonished and confused she could not utter a +word; then, with that slight uplifting of her fair head which those who +knew her best understood to indicate a gathering of all the force of her +will, she quietly remarked, though a burning flush mounted to her brow: + +"Ah, Wilhelm! I thought you and Belle had gone out for the evening." + +"No doubt; and you had planned to enjoy yourself in your own way, it +seems," sneered the angry master of the house, as he glared savagely at +Wallace, who now arose and advanced to Violet's side. + +"Stop, if you please, Wilhelm," the young girl said, as he seemed about +to go on, and her clear tones rang out warningly. "When you went out I +had no thought of receiving visitors; but of that I will speak with you +later. Allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Richardson. Mr. Richardson, +my brother-in-law, Mr. Mencke; my sister you have already met." + +Wallace bowed courteously, while he marveled at Violet's remarkable +self-possession; but neither Mr. Mencke nor his wife acknowledged the +introduction otherwise than by bestowing a malignant look upon him, and +this slight aroused all Violet's spirit to arms. + +"Friend!" repeated Mr. Mencke; "one would naturally judge from the +touching scene just enacted that the young man sustained a much nearer +relation to you." + +"He does!" flashed out Violet, as she boldly faced both the intruders, +and reckless of the consequences of the avowal; "he is my affianced +husband!" + +"Violet!" almost screamed her sister, as she sprang forward and seized +the young girl by the arm. "Are you crazy?" + +"Pardon me, madame," said Wallace, courteously, as he advanced toward +the group, "and pray give me your attention for a moment while I explain +what may seem an unpardonable intrusion, and for which I am wholly to +blame." + +"No," interrupted Violet, releasing herself from her sister's grasp; "I +alone am responsible for what has occurred this evening. Mr. Richardson, +in an unguarded moment, revealed to me the fact that he entertained an +affection for me such as I have long known, exists in my own heart for +him. I responded to it----" + +"Shameless girl!" ejaculated Mrs. Mencke, in an angry tone. + +"No, Belle, I am not a shameless girl. I simply gave truthful expression +to an attachment in return for a confession that gave me great +happiness, and notwithstanding that Mr. Richardson told me he would not +bind me by any promise until, as he expressed it, he should be in a +suitable position to warrant him in asking my hand of you, I told him +outright that my acknowledgment of affection was as binding with me as +any promise----" + +"Mr. and Mrs. Mencke," Wallace now interposed, "I cannot allow your +sister to assume the responsibility of all this, for it is really my +place to shield her. I love her with all the strength of my nature, and +I now formally ask you, as her guardians, to sanction the compact we +have made this evening." + +"Never!" emphatically retorted Mrs. Mencke, in her haughtiest tone. + +"It is not worth while to discuss such an impossible proposition, and +you will best suit us, young man, by making yourself scarce without more +ado," supplemented Mr. Mencke, with a menacing air. + +"Belle! Wilhelm!--do you call yourself a lady, a gentleman, and dare to +insult a friend of mine in your own house?" cried Violet, quivering with +indignation, her eyes glittering like coals of fire. + +Mrs. Mencke began to realize that they were arousing a spirit which +might be difficult to manage; consequently she deemed it advisable to +adopt a different course. + +"We have no wish to insult any one, Violet," she began, with dignity, +but in a more conciliatory tone; "but of course we are very much +astonished by such a declaration as you have just made, and you a mere +child yet----" + +"I believe you were married at eighteen, Belle; I shall be eighteen in +two months," Violet quietly interrupted, but with a roguish gleam in her +blue eyes. + +Mrs. Mencke colored. + +She had by no means forgotten the circumstances connected with her own +marriage, which had been an elopement, because of a stern parent's +objections to the man of her choice; though this fact was not known in +the circle where she now moved. + +"Well, you will not marry at eighteen," she answered, tartly. + +"Perhaps not; indeed, I have no desire to, but when I do, Mr. Richardson +will be the man whom I shall marry, and I want the matter understood +once for all," Violet returned, with a gravity which betrayed her +unalterable determination. + +"You had best put the child to bed, Belle, and I will show this young +carpenter the way out," Mr. Mencke remarked, contemptuously, as if he +really regarded Violet's assertion as simply the iteration of a willful +child. + +Violet shot him a look that made him wince; then turning, she laid her +hand upon Wallace's arm. + +"It is a shame!" she said, with quivering lips. "I blush that relatives +of mine can stoop to offer any one such indignity. Forgive me that I am +powerless to help it." + +"I have nothing to forgive, and I have everything to honor you for, +Violet; but it is best that I should go now, and we will settle this +matter later," the young man replied, in a fond yet regretful tone. + +It had been very hard to stand there and preserve his self-control; but +for her sake he had borne all in silence. + +"You will never give me up?" the young girl pleaded, her small fingers +closing over his arm appealingly. + +He took her hand in a strong yet gentle clasp. + +"No, never, until you yourself ask it," he said, firmly. + +"That I shall never do. Do you hear, Belle, Wilhelm?" she cried, turning +defiantly to them. "I have given Wallace my promise that I will be his +wife, and he has said that he will never give me up. Just so sure as I +live, I shall fulfill that promise." + +Mrs. Mencke lost control of herself entirely at this. + +"Violet Huntington!" she cried, white to her lips with rage, "you will +at once retract that rash vow or this house is no longer your home." + +"Mrs. Mencke, let me entreat that the subject be dropped for the +present," Wallace here interposed. "Believe me, I shrink from being the +cause of any disturbance in your household, and since this union, which +appears to cause you such uneasiness, cannot be consummated for some +time yet, I beg that you will not distress your sister nor yourself by +further threats." + +"I will drop the subject when you both agree to cancel this foolish +engagement. Give me your word of honor that you will never claim the +fulfillment of Violet's rash promise to you, and I will drop the matter +and be glad to do so." + +"I cannot promise you that," Wallace firmly replied, though he had grown +very pale as he realized how determined they were to separate them. "I +love your sister, and if she is of the same mind in the future, when I +can feel justified in claiming her, I shall certainly make her my wife." + +"And you know me well enough, Belle, to be sure that I shall not +change--that I shall not retract one word that I have said to-night," +Violet added, with no less firmness than her lover had manifested. + +"I know that you are a rash and obstinate girl, but you will find that I +can be just as relentless as yourself, and you will make me the promise +I demand or this house can no longer be your home," Mrs. Mencke sternly +retorted. + +"I shall never make it," Violet reiterated, with white lips, while she +looked up into her lover's face with such an expression of affection and +trust that he longed to take her to his heart and bear her away at once +from such unnatural guardianship. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +"I'LL BREAK HER WILL!" + + +Mr. Mencke here interposed. When his wife's temper was aroused she was +liable to be rash and unreasonable. He thought if they could but get rid +of Wallace they could perhaps coax Violet into a more pliable frame of +mind. + +He turned to the young man, and said, sternly: + +"We have had enough of this for to-night, but I will confer with you +later about this matter." + +Wallace bowed a courteous, but dignified, assent to this broad hint to +take his departure. + +He bade Violet good-night in a low tone, tenderly pressing her hand +before releasing it, then, after a polite bow to Mrs. Mencke, which she +did not deign to notice, he walked with a firm, manly bearing from the +house, bidding its master a gentlemanly good-evening at the door. + +In spite of her rage against Violet and her poverty-stricken lover, Mrs. +Mencke could not help admiring the latter's self-possessed exit, while +she secretly confessed that "the fellow was uncommonly good-looking." + +When the door had closed after him, she turned again to her sister. + +"Violet, I am scandalized----" she began, when that young lady +interrupted her. + +"There is no need, I assure you, Belle," she said, coldly. "I confess I +would have preferred that you did not see us just as you did, but I have +been guilty of nothing which should cause you to feel scandalized. We +may as well understand each other first as last, and you may as well +make up your mind to the inevitable, for, if I live, I shall marry +Wallace Richardson. If I cannot do so legally until I am of age, I shall +wait until then, and you know, Belle, when I take a stand like this, I +mean it." + +With this parting shaft Violet, with uplifted head and flashing eyes, +walked deliberately from her sister's presence and up to her own room. + +"The little vixen will do it, Belle, as sure as you live," remarked +Wilhelm Mencke, who had returned to the drawing-room in season to catch +the latter portion of Violet's remarks. + +"She shall not!" cried his wife, angrily. "Marry that low-born carpenter +who has to labor with his hands for daily bread! Never!" + +"I do not see how you are going to help it; you know she has the grit of +a dozen common women in that small body, and a will of iron," replied +Mr. Mencke. + +"Then I'll break her will! I came of a resolute stock, too, and it will +be Roman against Roman, with the advantage on my side. She shall never +compromise herself, nor us, by any such misalliance." + +Mr. Mencke looked a trifle sheepish at this spirited speech. He could +not forget, if his wife did, that some fourteen years previous he had +been as badly off, if not worse, than this young carpenter. He had been +a laborer in the employ of Miss Belle Huntington's father, and she had +not felt that she was compromising herself or her parents by marrying +him, and the wealthy pork-packer's daughter had run away with the man +whom she loved. + +"What will you do to prevent it?" he asked, after a few moments of +awkward silence. "The girl can marry him any day if she takes a notion; +the will says we are to be the guardians of the property 'until she is +twenty-one or marries.' It would make it rather awkward for me if she +should, for her husband would have the right to demand her fortune, +and--Belle, the duse would be to pay if I should lose my hold on that +money." + +"What is the matter, Will?" demanded Mrs. Mencke looking startled. + +"Hum--nothing much, only--it is so mixed up with my own affairs it would +cripple me to have to fork it over on short notice," Mr. Mencke replied, +looking exceedingly glum. + +"You may rest satisfied upon one point; you will never have to surrender +it to that fellow," his wife returned, decisively. "I will send Violet +to a convent first, and she would be kept straight enough there." + +"That is well thought of Belle," said her husband, eagerly, his usually +stolid face lighting up greedily. "It would never do, though, to send +her to one here; suppose we get her off to Montreal, where there will be +no one to interfere; we can keep her there as long as we like, and +meantime I will make Cincinnati too hot to hold that youngster." + +"We will do it, Will, and she shall stay there until she promises to +give up this silly love affair." + +"You are a very conscientious and affectionate sister, Belle," said her +husband, with a sarcastic laugh. "What do you suppose Eben Huntington +would say to----" + +"Hush!" returned Mrs. Mencke, with an authoritative gesture, "that is a +secret that must never be breathed aloud; but all things are fair in +love and war, and to Montreal and into a convent Violet shall go without +delay." + +But if Mrs. Mencke could have caught a glimpse of the white, resolute +face of her young sister, as she stood at that moment just outside the +drawing-room door, she might not have felt quite so confident of her +power to carry out her project. + +Violet, after leaving Mrs. Mencke, intended to go at once to her room, +but upon reaching the top of the stairs, she remembered that she had +left upon the piano, in the library, Wallace's letter, in a book that +she had been reading. + +Not wishing other eyes than her own to peruse it, she stole quietly down +again to get it, and happened to pass the drawing-room door just as her +sister made her threat to send her to a convent. + +She had always had a horror of convent life, and though Mrs. Mencke had +been educated at one, Violet would never consent to go to one, and had +attended the public schools of the city, until she graduated from the +high school, after which she spent a year at a noted institution in +Columbus, "to finish off." + +She was greatly agitated as she listened to the conversation of her two +guardians, and she wondered how they could scheme so against her. It was +cruel, heartless. There had never been open warfare between them before, +though Violet had not always been so happy as young girls usually are. +There was much about her home-life that was not congenial, but she was +naturally gentle and affectionate, and, where principle was not at +stake, she would yield a point rather than create dissension. +Occasionally, however, there would arise a question of conscience, and +then she had shown the "grit" and "will of iron" of which Mr. Mencke had +spoken. + +Mrs. Mencke arose as she made her last remark, and Violet, fearing to be +found eavesdropping, sped noiselessly on into the library, where she +secured her book and letter; then fleeing by a door opposite the one she +had entered, and up a back stair-way, she reached her own room without +exciting the suspicion of any one that she had overheard the plot +concerning her. + +Locking herself in, she sat down at once and wrote all that she had +overheard to Wallace, telling him that she should certainly grieve +herself to death if she was immured in a convent, and asking him what +she should do in this emergency. + +She informed him that she should take a German lesson at three the next +afternoon, and begged him to meet her in the pupils' reception-parlor of +the institute at four o'clock. + +She was so wrought up that she could not sleep, and tossed restlessly +most of the night, while she wondered why Belle and Wilhelm were so +cruel to her, and what the secret was to which Belle had referred; she +had not, until then, been aware that there was anything mysterious +connected with their family history. + +She arose very early the next morning, and stole forth to post her +letter, long before any of the household were astir, after which she +crept back to bed and fell into a heavy, dreamless slumber, which lasted +until late in the forenoon. + +Wallace received Violet's letter by the morning post, and was greatly +exercised over it. + +At four o'clock precisely he entered the pupils' reception-room at the +institute where Violet took German lessons, and was thankful to find no +one there before him. + +Presently Violet entered, looking pale and unhappy. She sprang toward +her lover, and laid two small hot hands in his, while she lifted a pair +of sad, appealing eyes to him. + +"What shall I do, Wallace?" she cried, with quivering lips. "I will not +go to Montreal, and yet I know they are determined to make me." + +"Your sister or her husband has no right to insist upon your going into +a convent, if you do not wish to do so," Wallace returned, gravely. + +"But they are my guardians; I have no other home, no other friends; they +have the care of my money and I have to go to them for everything I +want. I do not expect they will tell me that they are going to take me +to a convent unless I will submit to them--they are too wise for that; +they will plan to go on a journey, say they are going to shut up the +house, and I must of course go with them; then when they get to Montreal +they will force me into a convent," Violet said, excitedly. + +"I cannot believe that they would do anything so underhanded and +dishonorable," said Wallace, greatly shocked. + +"They will," Violet persisted, excitedly. "Belle said 'anything was fair +in love and war,' and when she gets aroused, as she was last night, she +stops at nothing. Then, too, she hinted at some secret, and I am greatly +troubled over it." + +"Violet," began Wallace, solemnly, as he bent to look into her face, +while he held her hands in almost a painful clasp, "are you sure that +you love me--that you will never regret the promise that you made me +last night? You are very young, you have seen but little of the world, +and a larger experience might cause you to change by and by." + +Violet's delicate fingers closed over his spasmodically. + +"Wallace! you are not sorry! Oh, do not tell me that you regret, and +that I am to lose you," she pleaded, almost hysterically. + +"My darling," he answered, with gentle fondness, "you are all the world +to me, and if I should lose you, I should lose all that makes life +desirable; but I wish you to count the cost of your choice and not make +enemies of your only friends, to regret it later." + +"No, Wallace--no! I shall not regret it. I love you with my whole heart, +and--I shall die if we are separated," Violet concluded, with a pathetic +little sob that went straight to her lover's heart. + +His face grew luminous with a great joy; he knew then that she belonged +to him for all time. + +"Then listen, love," he said; and bending, he placed his lips close to +her ear, and whispered for a minute or two. + +Violet listened, while a strange, wondering expression grew on her fair +face, and a burning blush mounted to her brow and lost itself among the +rings of soft, golden hair that lay clustering there. + +She was very grave, almost awe-stricken, when he concluded, and then she +stood for a moment silently thinking. + +"Yes," she said, softly, at last, and dropped her face upon the hands +that were still clasping hers. + +They stood thus for another moment, then Wallace led her to a seat, and +sitting down beside her, they conversed in repressed tones for some time +longer. + +Violet reached home just as her sister returned from making calls. + +"Where have you been, Violet?" Mrs. Mencke asked, suspiciously. + +"To take my German lessons," the girl responded, with a sigh. + +Her heart was heavy and sore, and she longed for love and sympathy +instead of sour looks and words. + +"Your term is nearly ended, isn't it?" Mrs. Mencke continued, as they +entered the house together. + +"I have one lesson more," said Violet. + +"Come in here; I want to talk with you," her sister rejoined, as she led +the way into the drawing-room. + +Violet followed, with flushing cheeks and eyes that began to glitter +ominously. Her spirit was leaping forth to meet the trial in store for +her. + +"I have been thinking," Mrs. Mencke began, throwing herself into a chair +and trying to speak in an offhand way, "that another little trip would +do us all good. Will has business that calls him to Canada, and he +thinks he would like company on the journey; so we have decided to +combine business and pleasure, and take in all the sights on the way. He +is to start a week from Wednesday, and we can easily be ready to +accompany him by that time. What do you say, Vio?" + +Violet thought a moment, then meeting her sister's eye with a steady +glance, she briefly replied: + +"I do not wish to go." + +Mrs. Mencke flushed. She did not like that quiet tone. + +"I am sorry," she returned, "for we have decided to shut up the house +during our absence, and I could not think of leaving you behind." + +"Nevertheless, Belle, I shall not go with you to Montreal," Violet +answered, steadily. + +"Who said anything about Montreal?" quickly demanded Mrs. Mencke, and +regarding her sharply. + +"I may as well be straightforward with you, Belle," Violet continued, +"and tell that I know just what you have planned to do, and I am not +going to Montreal to be placed in a convent!" + +"Violet!" ejaculated the startled woman, with a crimson face. + +"You need not attempt to deny anything," the young girl continued, +calmly, "for I overheard you and Will planning it last night. I came +down to get something that I had left in the library, and as I was +passing through the hall I heard you say you would send me to a convent. +Of course, having learned that much, I was bound to hear all I could of +the plan." + +Mrs. Mencke looked blank over this information for a moment; then her +temper getting the better of her, she burst forth into a torrent of +reproaches and abuse. + +Violet sat with quietly folded hands and did not attempt to interrupt +her; but finally the woman grew ashamed of the sound of her angry voice +and words and ceased. + +"Are you through, Belle?" Violet then inquired, in a cold, strangely +calm tone. + +"Well, you have driven me nearly to distraction by the way you have +carried on of late," Mrs. Mencke said, apologetically. + +"I think I have had something to bear as well from you," the young girl +returned; "but I am no longer a child to be taken hither and thither +against my will. If you and Will wish to take a trip to Canada you can +do so by yourselves. I shall not accompany you." + +"What will you do--remain in Cincinnati and meet that vulgar carpenter +on the sly, I suppose," retorted her sister, angrily. + +"I can go to Mrs. Bailey's. Nellie has long been wishing me to spend a +few weeks with her." + +"And she will aid and abet you in your love-making, perhaps you +imagine," sneered Mrs. Mencke. "No, miss; you will go with us, whether +you want to or not, and you will also go into a convent, where you will +remain until you give me your solemn promise to relinquish all thoughts +of ever marrying that low-born Yankee." + +Violet arose at this point and stood pale and erect before her sister. + +"Belle, I shall not go to Montreal. I will not be forced to go anywhere +against my inclination," she said, with a resoluteness that betrayed an +unalterable purpose. "I know that you and Will were appointed my +guardians, and that I shall not reach my majority for three years yet; +but I know, too, that there is some redress for such abuse of authority +as you are attempting to exercise, and if you persist in this +course--much as I shall dislike the notoriety of such a proceeding--I +shall appeal to the courts to set you aside and appoint some one in your +place. You said last night that it would be 'Roman against Roman' in +this matter. You said truly; and hereafter, Belle, you will have to meet +me in an entirely different spirit before you and I can ever be upon the +old footing again. I hope, at least, that you now understand, once for +all, that I shall not accompany you and Wilhelm upon any trip." + +She turned and walked with quiet dignity from the room as she ceased +speaking, leaving Mrs. Mencke looking both startled and confounded by +the resolute and unexpected stand that she had taken regarding her +guardianship. + +"Where on earth can she have found out about that point of law?" she +muttered, angrily. "Some more of that carpenter's doings, I suppose." + +She sat for some time absorbed in thought; but finally her face cleared, +and rising she rang the bell. + +The housemaid answered it almost immediately. + +"Tell James to put the horses back into the carriage as quickly as +possible, as I have forgotten something and must go immediately to the +city again," she commanded, as she rearranged her wrap. + +In less than ten minutes she was on her way, not back to the city, but +to call upon an intimate friend in Eden Park. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +VIOLET BECOMES A PRISONER. + + +Mrs. Alexander Hartley Hawley, as she was always particular to write her +name, was much the same type of a woman as Mrs. Mencke, but with the +advantage of not possessing such an exceedingly high temper. + +She was more suave and insinuating in her manner, and where she had a +difficult object to attain she always strove to win by strategy rather +than to antagonize her opponents by attempting to drive. + +She also was intensely proud and tenacious of caste--a leader in society +and a great stickler regarding outward appearance. + +In the old days, when Mrs. Mencke had so offended against upper-tendom +by eloping with the poor clerk in her father's employ, Mrs. Hawley had +dropped her from her extensive list of acquaintances; but after Mr. +Huntington's death, when the young couple came into possession of a +handsome inheritance, the former friendship was renewed and their +intimacy, if anything, had been closer than during their youthful days. + +To this friend and ally, who resided among the glories of Eden Park, +Mrs. Mencke now repaired to ask her advice regarding what course to +pursue with Violet in her present unmanageable mood. + +She frankly confided everything to her, and concluded her revelation by +remarking, with an anxious brow: + +"I am at my wits' end, Althea, and have come to ask your help in this +emergency." + +"Certainly, Belle, I will do all in my power to help you," Mrs. Hawley +replied, eagerly, for she dearly loved to exercise her diplomatic +talents, "but I fear that will not be much, for we have decided, quite +suddenly, to sail for Europe the tenth of next month." + +"Yes, I learned of your plans to-day through Mrs. Rider, and when Violet +got upon her stilts, on my return from my calls, it suddenly occurred to +me that perhaps if the matter was rightly managed and you would not mind +the care for a while, she would accept an invitation from you to travel +in Europe for a time. I would appear to oppose it at first, but +gradually yield to your persuasions, and, later, I would myself join you +abroad and relieve you of your charge. Once get her across the Atlantic, +and it will be an easy matter to keep her there until she comes to our +terms." + +Mrs. Hawley readily lent herself to this scheme. + +"It would be a great pity," she said, with a little intentional venom +pointing her words, "to have Violet sacrifice herself and compromise her +position by rashly marrying this low carpenter; and," she added, +eagerly, "I should be delighted to have her with me--she is excellent +company, while, as you know, I am quite fond of her, and it will be the +easiest thing in the world to persuade her to go with us." + +"Do you think so?" Mrs. Mencke asked, somewhat doubtfully, for she began +to stand a little in awe of her young sister's rapidly developing +decision of character. + +"Yes; Violet and Nellie Bailey are quite intimate, are they not?" Mrs. +Hawley asked. + +"Yes; they were firm friends all through their high-school course, and +have visited each other a good deal since," returned Mrs. Mencke. + +"Well, then, Mrs. Bailey came to me yesterday, asking if I would act as +chaperon to Nellie, who has long wanted to spend a year in Milan to +study music, and, as I readily granted her request, Miss Nellie will be +my companion during at least a portion of my tour." + +"I do not believe Violet knows anything about it," Mrs. Mencke replied. + +"Very likely not; for her mother told me she had said nothing to +Nellie--that she did not wish to arouse hopes to disappoint them, until +she could arrange for a proper escort for her," Mrs. Hawley explained. +"But," she added, "she probably knows it by this time. However, I am +going to call there this evening, to arrange our plans a little, and +will come around to your house later. I will try to bring Nellie with +me. She will be full of the trip, and doubtless express a wish that +Violet could go with her; and I will second her wishes by at once +inviting her to make one of our party. In this way we can bring it about +without appearing to have thought of such a thing before." + +Mrs. Mencke was greatly pleased with this plan, and after discussing it +a while longer, she took leave of her friend, and returned home with a +lightened heart. + +She met Violet at dinner-time, as if nothing unpleasant had occurred, +and did not once refer to the Canada expedition, or any other +disagreeable subject. + +About seven o'clock Mrs. Hawley made her appearance, and, greatly to +Mrs. Mencke's delight, she was accompanied by Nellie Bailey. + +"Oh, Vio!" exclaimed that elated young lady, after the first greetings +were exchanged, "I have the most delightful piece of news to tell you." + +Violet looked interested immediately. + +"What is it?" she asked. + +"I am going to Europe next month," Nellie replied, with a face all +aglow. + +"Going to Europe!" Violet repeated, with a look of dismay; for her heart +sank at the thought that she was about to lose her only friend. + +"Yes; mamma has finally consented to let me have a year of music at +Milan, and Mrs. Hawley, who is also going broad, has consented to take +me under her friendly wing. + +"Going for a year!" sighed Violet. "What shall I do without you?" + +"Oh, it will soon slip by," said the happy girl, to whom the coming +twelve months would seem all too short. "Of course I shall miss you +dreadfully. I only wish you were going too. Wouldn't it be just +delightful?" + +"Yes, indeed. And why not?" here interposed Mrs. Hawley, who appeared to +have been suddenly arrested, by this remark, in the midst of an account +of a brilliant reception, which she was giving to Mrs. Mencke. "You know +I am fond of your company, and should like nothing better than to have +two bright girls with me. Belle, let me take Violet, too. She ought to +have a nice trip abroad, now that she is out of school." + +Mrs. Mencke looked thoughtful, and not especially pleased by the +proposition. + +"You are very kind, Althea, to propose it, but Mr. Mencke and I had +planned a trip to Canada for this month and next, and we intended to +take Violet with us." + +Violet turned a cold, steadfast look upon her sister. + +"I told you that I should not go to Canada, Belle," she said, quietly, +but decidedly. + +"Then come with us, by all means. I am sure it cannot make much +difference whether you go to Europe or Canada, and Nellie would be very +happy to have you for a chum," interposed Mrs. Hawley. + +"Indeed I should. Oh, Violet, it would be simply charming. Wouldn't you +like it?" Nellie cried, enthusiastically. + +"Ye-s," the unsuspicious girl replied, though somewhat doubtfully, as +she thought of the thousands of miles that would separate her from +Wallace, if she accepted this invitation. "How long do you intend to be +absent?" she concluded, turning to Mrs. Hawley. + +"Oh, I shall be gone a year, perhaps two, and should enjoy having you +with me all the time; but Mr. Hawley and my sister, Mrs. Dwight, will +return in about three months, so if you should get homesick you could +come back with them." + +Mrs. Hawley was very wise; she knew that Violet would be much more +likely to go if she felt she could return at any time. + +The young girl wondered what Wallace would say to this plan. She really +felt attracted by it; at least, it would afford her a release for a time +from her sister's irritating authority. + +"Why not let her come then, Belle, if she does not wish to go with you +to Canada?" urged Mrs. Hawley, insinuatingly, as she turned to her +friend, with a sparkle of mischief in her eyes, as she saw that Violet +was really inclined to go. + +"Well, I do not know," said Mrs. Mencke, contemplatively. "I suppose I +should have to consult my husband--then there is the trouble of getting +her ready." + +"Oh, she will not need anything for the voyage except some traveling +rugs and wraps and a steamer chair. We can replenish her wardrobe in +Paris for half what it would cost here, so you need not trouble yourself +at all on that score. Will you come, Violet?" and Mrs. Hawley turned +with a winning look to the fair girl. + +"Say yes--do, Vio," pleaded Nellie; and then turning to Mrs. Mencke, she +added: "You will let her, won't you?" + +"I have half a mind to," mused the crafty woman. + +"There, Vio," cried Nellie, triumphantly; "there is nothing to hinder +now." + +"It is very sudden--I will think of it and let you know," Violet began, +reflectively. + +"There will not be very much time to think of it," Mrs. Hawley remarked, +pleasantly. "You had better decide the matter at once, and thus avoid +all uncertainty." + +"I will let you know by the day after to-morrow," Violet returned, but +she lost color as she said it. + +She wanted to go, to get away from her brother and sister, but she +shrank from leaving Wallace. + +"She is planning to consult that fellow," Mrs. Mencke said to herself, +and reading Violet like a book; "but I will take care that she doesn't +get an opportunity to do so." + +Mrs. Hawley said no more, but arose to take her leave, feeling that she +had done all that was wise, for that day, in the furtherance of her +friend's schemes. + +But Nellie lingered a little, and tried to coax her friend into +yielding; she was very anxious to have her companionship upon the +proposed trip. + +Violet was firm, however, and said again that she would like very much +to go, but could not decide at such short notice. + +Mrs. Mencke did not renew the subject after their caller's departure, +and wisely maintained a somewhat indifferent manner, as if she did not +care very much whether Violet went or not. + +Mr. Mencke came in a little later from his club, and she broached the +plan to him before Violet. Of course it had all been talked over before +between husband and wife. + +He, also appeared to graciously favor the proposition. + +"Why, yes," he said, "if Violet wants to go to Europe, let her; you say +she does not like the idea of going to Canada with us, and as we are +going to shut up the house, she must go somewhere." + +"But she is not quite sure that she even wants to go with Althea," Mrs. +Mencke remarked, while she watched her sister closely. + +"Humph," responded Mr. Mencke, bluntly; "it must be either one thing or +the other. Which shall it be, Violet--Europe or Canada? We can't leave +you here while we are away." + +"It is a somewhat important question to decide at such short notice," +Violet returned, coldly, and determined that she would not commit +herself until she could consult Wallace. + +She was a little surprised that he should still talk of Canada, for she +had imagined that the trip had been planned wholly on her account. + +She could not know that this was a pretense, intended to blind her still +further. + +The next morning Mrs. Mencke went up to Violet's room about nine o'clock +and found her apparently engaged in reading a magazine. + +"I am going out shopping," she remarked. "I have a great deal to do; +don't you want to come and help me?" + +Violet looked up in surprise. + +"Why, Belle, you know that I never suit your taste in shopping, and you +always veto what I suggest," she said. + +"But you will need a great many things yourself for your trip abroad, +and you can at least purchase handkerchiefs, stockings, underwear, and +so forth," her sister returned. + +"But I have not yet decided to go," Violet replied, annoyed that her +acquiescence should be thus taken for granted, "and in case I do not I +have plenty of everything for my needs at present." + +"Well, then, Vio, come to keep me company," Mrs. Mencke urged, trying to +conceal her real purpose, to keep her sister under her surveillance, +beneath an affectionate exterior. + +"Thank you, Belle, but really I do not want to go, and you will be so +absorbed in your shopping that you will not miss me," Violet responded. + +"Very well, then; just as you choose," Mrs. Mencke returned, irritably, +and suddenly swept from the room, locking the door after her. + +As the bolt shot into its socket, Violet sprang to her feet. + +"Belle, what do you mean?" she cried, a flood of angry crimson surging +to her brow. + +"I mean that if you will not go with me, you shall stay where you are +until I return," Mrs. Mencke sharply answered, and then she swept down +the stairs with a smile of triumph on her face, for she congratulated +herself that she had done a very clever thing. + +Violet stood, for a moment or two, speechless and white with anger over +the indignity offered her. + +"She has dared to lock me up like a naughty, five-year-old child!" she +cried, passionately. "I will not submit to such treatment; and besides, +I have promised to meet Wallace again at two o'clock. What am I to do? +Belle evidently suspected that I meant to see him, and has taken this +way to prevent it." + +She sat down again and tried to think, though she was trembling with +excitement and anger. + +There was no other outlet to her suite of rooms, and it certainly +appeared as if she must remain where she was until her sister's return. + +Meantime Mrs. Mencke, upon going below, had called the housemaid and +confided to her that, for good reasons, she had locked Violet in her +room and she charged the maid not to let her out under any +circumstances. + +She ordered her to carry a nice luncheon to Violet at twelve, but to be +sure to lock the door both going in and coming out, and on pain of +instant dismissal to pay no heed to Violet's entreaties to be set at +liberty. + +Then, feeling that she had safely snared her bird, at least for a few +hours, she went about her shopping with an easy mind. + +Violet, after thinking her condition over for a while, resolved not to +make any disturbance to attract the attention of the servants. + +She reasoned that Sarah, the second girl, would bring her some luncheon +at noon, and she determined to seize that opportunity to effect her +release; just how that was to be accomplished she did not know, but get +out and go to the city she must before two o'clock. + +She dressed herself for the street, all save her hat and wrap, and then +began to plan ways and means. + +Suddenly her face lighted, and going into her dressing-room, she +surveyed the large mirror which was suspended above the marble bowl. + +Taking a penknife from her pocket, she deliberately severed the heavy +cord by which it was held in place, and then exerting all her strength, +she let it carefully down until the bottom of the frame rested upon the +marble, while the top leaned against the wall. + +Having accomplished this and assured herself that the glass was +perfectly safe, she went quietly back to her reading and managed to +amuse herself until the clock struck twelve. + +Shortly afterward she heard a step on the stairs, accompanied by the +rattle of dishes, and knew that Sarah was bringing her up some luncheon. + +Darting into her dressing-room, Violet seized the mirror, drew it to the +very edge of the marble and assuming a strained position, she had the +appearance of having caught the glass just as it was falling and in time +to save it from being dashed in pieces. + +Sarah unlocked the chamber-door, and finding no one there, called out: + +"Miss Violet, where are you?" + +"Oh, Sarah, is that you? Come here quickly, for I am in trouble," the +young girl cried, appealingly. + +Sarah put down her tray, but took the precaution to change the key from +the outside of the door to the inside and lock it before going to the +other room. + +Then she went to see what was the matter. + +"Why, Miss Violet," she cried, with dismay, as she took in the +situation, "how did that happen?" + +"The cord has parted," panted Violet, as she glanced at the ragged ends +where she had sawed it asunder with her dull knife. "You will have to +help me," she added, "and I think we can manage to lift it to the floor +without breaking it. I do not dare to leave it standing here; it might +slip on the marble." + +"No," said the girl, never suspecting any ruse to outwit her, "we must +take it down." + +She seized one side of it in her strong arms, and, with Violet's help, +managed to get it safely down upon the floor. + +"Hold it a moment, please, until I get my breath," Violet said, as if +wearied out by the exertion. + +"Have you had to hold it there long?" Sarah asked, innocently, as she +allowed the heavy frame to rest against her. + +"No, not very long; but I am so glad that you came just as you did, for +if it had fallen it would have frightened me terribly," Violet answered, +and she uttered no untruth, for she was glad that Sarah came just as she +did, because she was getting very anxious to go to Wallace and she would +have been frightened if the glass had been broken. + +"Sure enough, miss," the girl replied, gravely, "and it's a sign of +death in the house to have a looking-glass broken. And look! the moths +must have been at this cord to make it give way, for it is like a rope +and could not break," and she stooped to examine the frayed ends as she +spoke. + +Violet seized this opportunity and slipped quickly from the room, +drawing the door to and locking it after her, thus making Sarah a +prisoner and securing her own liberty. + +But her kind little heart and tender conscience smote her for the +strategy which she had employed to accomplish her purpose, and kneeling +upon the floor, she put her lips to the key-hole and said: + +"Forgive me, Sarah; but it was all a little plot of mine to get out. The +cord did not break; I cut it." + +"Oh, Miss Violet, let me out; please, let me out," the girl cried, in +distress. "Mrs. Mencke said she'd send me off without a reference if I +didn't keep you safe till she came back, and I never dreamed you were +playing me such a trick." + +"It is a little hard on you, I confess, Sarah," Violet responded, +regretfully, "and I am very sorry; but I had to do it, for I have an +important engagement down town. Belle had no business to treat me so +like a child, and she shall not discharge you if I can help it. I will +tell her just how I deceived you, and then, if she will not be +reasonable, I will give you a month's wages and help you to another +place." + +Sarah continued to plead to be let out, but Violet remained unshaken in +her purpose. + +"No, you will have to stay here a little while," she said, "but when I +go down I will send the cook up to release you. When Belle comes home +you can tell her that she will find me at Nellie Bailey's and that I +shall not come home until she apologizes for her shameful treatment." + +She could not get over her indignation at being put under lock and key, +with a servant set over her as jailer. + +She hastily donned her hat and wrap, drew on her gloves, and quietly +left the room. + +Going to the top of the basement stairs, she rang a bell for the cook. + +"Bridget, Sarah wants you to go up to my dressing-room to help her with +a mirror that has come down," she said; and then, without waiting for a +reply, Violet sped out of the house, and, hailing the first car that +came along, was soon rolling toward the city to meet her betrothed. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +"YOU WILL BE TRUE THOUGH THE OCEAN DIVIDES US." + + +About four o'clock of that same day Violet entered the private parlor of +her friend, Nellie Bailey, her face glowing, her eyes gleaming with +excitement. + +"Oh, you dear child!" cried that young lady, leaping to her feet and +springing forward to meet her visitor, "you have come to tell me that +you are going to Europe with me." + +"I have come to stay all night with you if you will let me," Violet +replied, returning the eager caress with which Nellie had greeted her. + +"If I will 'let' you! You know I shall be only too glad to have you. But +how happy you look! You surely have good news to tell me." + +Violet flushed, and her eyes drooped for a moment. + +"Yes, I believe I shall go to Europe with you," she answered, her face +dimpling with smiles, and Nellie immediately went into ecstasies over +the announcement. + +"I am perfectly enchanted," she cried; "and will you remain the whole +year?" + +"I do not know about that," Violet thoughtfully replied. "I have not set +any time for my return. I shall go for three months at any rate, and I +may conclude to remain longer." + +"I wish you could come to Milan to study music with me," Nellie +remarked, wistfully. + +"I imagine that Belle would not consent to that," Violet returned. "She +would be afraid that we two girls would get into mischief if left to +ourselves. I suppose I shall travel with Mrs. Hawley, but I will try to +pay you a visit now and then if I remain any length of time." + +The girls found much to talk about in anticipation of their journey, and +the time passed quickly and pleasantly until the dinner hour, while +during the meal the family were all so agreeable and entertaining--for +Violet was a great favorite with them--that she forgot, for the time, +the unpleasantness of the morning and her clear, happy laugh rang out +with all her customary abandon. + +She had not mentioned her misunderstanding with her sister, for her +pride rebelled against having it known that she was not entirely happy +in her home; and when, shortly after dinner, Mrs. Mencke called and +asked to see Violet alone, she excused the circumstance by remarking +that she supposed it was upon some matter of business. + +Mrs. Mencke had been furious, upon her return home to find how she and +Sarah had both been outwitted, and she had come to Mrs. Bailey's +prepared, not to apologize, but to be very severe upon the offender for +her defiance of all authority. + +But the sight of her happy face and sparkling eyes disarmed her, and she +passed over the affair much more lightly than Violet had dared to hope +she would. + +The young girl frankly acknowledged the strategy she had employed, and +exonerated Sarah from all blame; but she also firmly declared that if +her sister would not promise to let her alone--if she persisted in the +persecution of the last few days, she would reveal to Mr. and Mrs. +Bailey all that had occurred, and implore their protection and +assistance in securing other guardians. + +Mrs. Mencke had arrived at that point where she believed that +"discretion would be the better part of valor," for she realized that +her young sister's spirit was too strong for her, and that she would do +what she had threatened; therefore, she resolved not to antagonize her +further if she could avoid it. + +"It was a shame, Belle, for you to lock me up like a naughty, +unreasonable child, and I will not endure such treatment," Violet +indignantly affirmed, in concluding the recital of her morning's +experience. + +"Well, well, child, I did not know what else to do with you; but let it +pass, please. Perhaps it was a mistake, and we will let by-gones be +by-gones," Mrs. Mencke responded, in a conciliatory tone. "I am glad +that you have decided in favor of the European trip, and I want you to +go away feeling kindly toward me. Will you come home with me now?" + +"Not to-night; I have promised Nellie that I would spend it with her; +but you may send for me early tomorrow, for I suppose we shall have to +be rather busy during the next three weeks." + +"Very well; but, Vio, you will promise me that you will not try to----" +Mrs. Mencke began, anxiously, for she could not rid herself of the fear +that Violet would try to meet her lover clandestinely. + +"Hush, Belle; I will promise you nothing," Violet interrupted, +spiritedly. "I am a woman now--I have my own rights, and there are some +things upon which you shall not trench. If there is to be peace between +us you must let me entirely alone on one subject." + +Mrs. Mencke made no reply to this. She told herself that strategy was +the only course left open to her. + +She joined the Bailey family for a little while for a social chat, after +which she took her leave, promising to send the carriage for Violet at +ten the next morning. + +The ensuing three weeks passed rapidly, and without any further trouble +between the sisters to mar their intercourse. + +Mrs. Mencke endeavored, by every means in her power, to keep Violet +under her own eye during this time, but once or twice the young girl +managed to evade her vigilance. Whether she met Wallace or not she had +no means of ascertaining, but she felt that she should be truly thankful +and relieved of a heavy burden when the ocean divided them. + +The day of sailing drew nigh and the voyagers, accompanied by several +friends, repaired to New York, where they were to take a steamer +belonging to the White Star Line. + +When they all went aboard the vessel, on the morning of the tenth, Mrs. +Mencke was both amazed and dismayed to see Wallace Richardson advance +and greet Violet with all the assurance of an accepted suitor; while the +young girl herself, though her face lighted up joyously as she caught +sight of him, did not seem in the least surprised to find him there. + +The fact was, Wallace had told Violet that he had a call to go to New +York on business, and he would arrange to be there at the time that she +sailed. + +If looks could have annihilated him, he would at once have vanished +forever from the sight of men; but as he met Mrs. Mencke's angry glance +he courteously lifted his hat and bowed, and then went on with his +conversation with Violet. + +Of course it would not do to make a scene in such a conspicuous place, +and the enraged woman was obliged to curb her passion; but she thanked +the fates that Violet was going so far away, and she vowed that it would +be a long while before she returned. + +She intended to keep the young couple under her eye until the steamer +started, but, in the confusion which everywhere prevailed, they managed +to slip out of sight before she was aware of it, and after that she +could not find them. + +They were not far away, however, and their security lay in this very +fact. They had simply stepped between a couple of stacks of baggage for +a few last words to each other, while they became oblivious of +everything save the thought of their approaching separation. + +"My darling, it is hard to let you go--harder than I thought it would +be, now that the time has arrived," Wallace said, as he took both her +hands in his and looked tenderly into her sorrowful face. + +"I almost wish I could not go, after all," Violet faltered, as the hot +tears rushed into her eyes. "I will not--I will stay, even now, if you +will tell me I may," she concluded, resolutely. + +"No, love; that would be unwise, and I know it is better that you should +go--better for you, better for me," he replied. + +"But I shall come back in three months," Violet said, with an air of +decision. "I could not stay away from you longer than that." + +"If you feel that you must, I will not oppose it, dear," the young man +returned, tenderly. "Still, if you can be contented to remain a year, I +believe it would be a good plan for you to do so. Meantime I will do my +utmost to attain a position which shall warrant me in claiming this dear +hand when you return." + +"I shall write to you by every steamer, Wallace, and you will be sure to +answer as regularly," Violet pleaded. + +"Indeed I shall, and I am promising myself a great deal of pleasure from +our correspondence--more, in fact, than I have yet known, for our +clandestine meetings have been very galling to me. I never like to do +anything that is not perfectly open and straightforward," Wallace said, +gravely. + +"Neither do I," returned Violet; "but we were driven to it." + +"True, and therefore I feel that it was justifiable. They, your +guardians, would have separated us if they could; but this faithful +little heart could not be won from its allegiance; and, my darling, I am +sure you will still be true to me, even though the ocean divides us." + +Violet's fingers closed over his with a convulsive, almost a painful +clasp. + +"Always; nothing--no one could ever tempt me from my faith to you, +Wallace," she huskily murmured. "Oh!" she cried, with a sudden start, as +a warning whistle blew, "does that mean that you must go?" + +"Yes, within five minutes," he replied. "And now, my heart's queen, no +one can see us; therefore give me just one parting kiss, and that must +be our farewell, for I cannot take leave of you before others." + +He bent and gathered her quickly in his arms, straining her to his +breast with a close, yearning clasp, and pressed his lips to hers in one +lingering caress. + +"My love, my love, you will take the light from my world when you go," +he murmured, fondly. + +Then he released her, and led her forth from their hiding-place toward +where her friends were gathered. + +"Why, Violet, we have been alarmed about you, and our friends feared +they would have to go without saying good-by to you," Mrs. Mencke +exclaimed, in a tone that plainly indicated her displeasure at her +sister's behavior. + +But there was no time for reproaches. Everybody was bidding everybody +else a last farewell, and presently the cry, "All ashore!" sounded, and +there was a general stampede of all those who were not outward bound. + +Wallace remained until the last moment. His was the last hand that +touched Violet's, his the last voice that sounded in her ears with the +words: + +"Good-by, queen of my heart, and Heaven bless you!" + +Then he leaped across the gang-plank, just as it was being removed. + +Violet's heart was full to overflowing at this parting, and she sped +down to her state-room, where, half an hour later, Nellie Bailey found +her sobbing hysterically. + +"Why, you silly child!" she cried, assuming a light tone, although her +own eyes were full and her voice tremulous, "this does not look as if +you were very much elated over the prospect of going to Europe. Are all +the tears for that handsome young man who appeared so loath to leave +you? By the way, Violet, was that the Mr. Richardson who saved you at +the time of the inclined plane accident?" + +"Yes," Violet murmured, between her sobs. + +"I imagined so from something your sister said; she isn't over fond of +him, is she?" Nellie inquired, with a light laugh and a mischievous +glance at the averted face on the pillow in the berth, as she emphasized +the pronoun. "Come," she added, presently, "let us lay out the things we +are likely to need during the voyage, and put our state-room in order, +for there is no knowing how soon we may be attacked by the dread enemy +of all voyagers." + +"Oh, I hope we shall not be sick," Violet said, diverted from her grief +by Nellie's practical suggestion, and wiping away her tears. "I love the +water, and I want to make the most of the time we are on the ocean. Let +us make up our minds that we will not be ill." + +"I suppose we can control it, in a measure, by the exercise of will +power," Nellie answered, "and I will try what I can do in that respect, +although I very much fear that the sea will prove to be mightier than +I." + +The two girls soon had their small room in order, and everything handy +for the voyage, then they went up on the deck to seek their friends, Mr. +and Mrs. Hawley, and the sister of the latter, Mrs. Dwight. + +Mrs. Hawley eyed Violet curiously for a moment, noticing her heavy eyes +and the grieved droop about her sweet mouth, then set herself to divert +her mind from the recent farewell, which she plainly saw had been a +severe trial. + +She was one of those remarkable women who can adapt themselves to all +kinds of society and circumstances. She could be delightful in a +drawing-room full of cultured people; she could entertain a group of +children by the hour, while the young people pronounced her the most +charming companion imaginable. + +It was not long, therefore, before she made Violet entirely forget +herself and her recent sadness, and the young girl soon found herself +laughing heartily over some droll incident of which Mrs. Hawley had +recently been the amused and appreciative observer. + +They were standing in a group by themselves, and by degrees became so +gay and merry that two gentlemen, standing a short distance from them, +became infected with their mirth. + +"A gay party, isn't it, Ralph?" remarked the elder of the two. + +"Jolly; I wish we knew them; and they are about as pretty a pair of +girls as I have ever seen. Do you suppose they are sisters?" + +"No, I do not believe it; they have not a feature or characteristic in +common, as far as I can see. That golden-haired one is a perfect little +Hebe; her complexion and features are perfect, her figure faultless, +while she has the daintiest hands and feet that I ever saw," said the +first speaker. + +"Really, Cameron, I believe you are hard hit, at last," laughed his +companion. "I never knew you to express yourself so enthusiastically +regarding a woman before." + +"I never had occasion," returned Cameron, dryly. "We must manage some +way to make the acquaintance of yonder party--eh, Henderson?" + +Fate seemed anxious to give him the opportunity he desired, for, just at +that moment, a gust of wind lifted Violet's jaunty hat from her head and +sent it flying toward the two distinguished-looking strangers, and in +another moment it would have been swept into the sea and lost beyond +recovery. + +But the one who had been called Cameron sprang forward, and, with a +quick, agile movement, one sweep of his strong right arm, caught it just +as it was going over the rail. + +With a gratified smile on his handsome face, and an air of courtly +politeness, he approached Violet, and bowing, remarked: + +"Allow me to restore the bird that took such unceremonious flight." + +He glanced at the golden-winged oriole which nestled so jauntily in its +brown velvet nest upon the hat as he spoke. + +The fair girl thanked him, flushed slightly beneath his admiring look, +and Mrs. Hawley graciously echoed her appreciation of his dexterity. + +"Allow me to compliment you, sir, upon your agility," she said, in her +cordial, outspoken way; "that was a leap worthy of an accomplished +athlete." + +"Thanks, madame," young Cameron returned, lifting his hat in +acknowledgment of her praise. + +Then he would have withdrawn himself from their presence, though he +longed to stay, but Mr. Hawley, who had been attracted by his fine face +and gentlemanly bearing, remarked: + +"Since we are to be fellow-voyagers for a week or more, may I ask to +whom we are indebted? My name is Hawley, of the firm of Hawley & Blake, +Cincinnati, Ohio." + +"Thank you," the young man replied, with a genial smile, "and I am known +as Vane Cameron. I am as yet connected with no firm, but my home has for +many years been in New York." + +"Cameron--Cameron," repeated Mrs. Hawley, meditatively. "I wonder if he +can be a relative of that Anson Cameron who married the Earl of +Sutherland's daughter about the time of our marriage. It created +considerable talk among the grandees of New York, I remember, for the +lady was very beautiful as well as of noble blood." + +Mrs. Hawley's reflection were here cut short by her husband, who +introduced her to the handsome young stranger, and then he proceeded to +perform the same ceremony for the other members of his party. + +Mr. Vane Cameron was apparently about thirty years of age, fine-looking, +neither very dark nor very light, with a clear-cut patrician face, a +grandly developed form, a dignified bearing, and irreproachable manners. + +He conversed in an easy, self-possessed manner with his new +acquaintances for a few moments, and then craved permission to introduce +his friend. + +This request was cordially granted, and Mrs. Hawley ere long +congratulated herself upon having secured a very pleasant addition to +her party, for Mr. Ralph Henderson proved to be no less entertaining, +although a much younger man, than his _compagnon du voyage_. + +By a few very adroit questions, and putting this and that together, Mrs. +Hawley learned that Mr. Vane Cameron was the son of Mr. Anson Cameron +and the grandson of the late Earl of Sutherland, consequently the heir +of the distinguished peer; and, more than that, she gleaned the +interesting item that he was now on his way to England to take +possession of his fine inheritance. + +It is remarkable how much one woman can find out in a short time. Mrs. +Hawley also learned that Mr. Ralph Henderson belonged to an aristocratic +family who were numbered among the envied "four hundred" of New York. + +"If I do not improve my opportunities during the next eight or nine +days, it will be because my usual wit and ability fail me," the lady +said to herself, after making these discoveries. "I have two pretty +girls under my wing, and these young men are not backward in realizing +the fact either. Violet, my pansy-eyed darling, I'll manage to make you +forget that carpenter lover of yours long before your stipulated three +months are at an end, or my name isn't Althea. I'd like nothing better +than to write you among my list of friends as Countess of Sutherland; +and Nellie, my modest little brunette, you would make a delightful +little spouse for that agreeable Mr. Henderson." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +"DEATH HAS RELEASED YOU FROM YOUR PROMISE." + + +The voyage across the Atlantic proved to be a most delightful one. + +Vane Cameron and Ralph Henderson, by tacit consent, joined Mrs. Hawley's +party, and were so entertaining and attentive that they all +congratulated themselves upon having secured so pleasant an addition to +their company. + +By the time they reached England Vane Cameron had surrendered his +hitherto impregnable heart entirely to Violet, and when he bade Mrs. +Hawley and her charges good-by, after seeing them comfortably +established in the hotel where they were to remain during their sojourn +in London, he asked the privilege of bringing his mother--who had +preceded him to England by several months--to make their acquaintance. + +This was an honor which Mrs. Hawley had hardly anticipated; she well +knew the exclusive proclivities of British blue blood, and was highly +elated by the prospect of being introduced into London society by +Isabel, only child of the late Earl of Sutherland. + +It is needless to state she graciously accorded the young man the +privilege he asked, and delightfully looked forward to the promised +visit. + +She had not long to wait, for before the week was out Lady Isabel, +accompanied by her son, came to make her call, and she appeared to be no +less attracted by the beauty and winning manner of Violet than young +Cameron had been. + +Mrs. Hawley made herself exceedingly agreeable by her courtesy and +cultured self-possession, and before she left it was arranged that her +ladyship would give a reception at an early date for the purpose of +introducing her new acquaintances to London society. + +After that there followed a whirl of pleasure and excitement such as +Violet and Nellie had read about, but never expected to enjoy. + +Mr. Henderson and the young girl, as he was now commonly recognized, +attended them everywhere, until it began to be remarked in select +circles that the son was likely to follow the example of his mother by +marrying a wealthy American. + +Mrs. Hawley's reports to Mrs. Mencke of all this were highly +satisfactory, and the worldly minded sister congratulated herself that +she had sent Violet abroad instead of insisting upon her going to +Canada. + +She had neither seen nor heard anything of young Richardson since +Violet's departure, although Mr. Mencke had tried to post himself +regarding his movements. All he could learn, however, was that he had +left Cincinnati a few weeks after Violet sailed, but no one could tell +him whither he had gone. + +This was something of a relief, although the Menckes would have been +glad to keep track of him, for a dim suspicion that he might have +followed Violet haunted them. + +The young girl expected to hear from her lover soon after reaching +London, but three weeks went by, and not one line had she received. She +was getting very anxious and impatient, but of course she did not dare +to betray anything of the feeling, and so strove to bear her +disappointment with as bold a front as possible. + +She, however, faithfully wrote to Wallace every two or three days, and +in each letter mentioned the fact that she had not heard from him, and +begged him not to keep her longer in suspense. + +She imagined that she exercised great care in sending her letters so +that Mrs. Hawley would not suspect the correspondence, for she went down +to the hotel letter-box to post every one with her own hands. + +But Mrs. Hawley had received orders from Mrs. Mencke to intercept all +such missives, and she, in turn, gave instructions to the hotel clerk +that all epistles addressed to "Wallace Richardson, Cincinnati, Ohio," +be returned to her. + +Thus the lovers never heard one word from each other--though, to the +woman's credit be it said, if there was any credit due her--she +conscientiously burned every letter, unopened, for she was secretly very +fond of Violet and could not bring herself to wrong her still further by +perusing the sacred expressions of her loving little heart, or the fond +words which Wallace intended only for her eye. + +But Violet, though anxious, could not find much time to indulge her +grief, for she was kept in such a constant round of excitement. Several +times Nellie awoke in the night to find her weeping, but, upon inquiring +the cause of her tears, Violet would either avoid a direct reply, or +allow her friend to attribute her grief to homesickness. + +One day, about six weeks after Mrs. Hawley and her party reached London, +every one appeared very much surprised by the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. +Mencke at the same hotel. + +Mr. and Mrs. Hawley alone were in the secret of their coming, but they +did not betray the fact in their greeting, and Violet, though she met +her sister affectionately, was at heart very much annoyed by her +arrival. + +Mrs. Mencke and Mrs. Hawley improved the first opportunity to have a +long, confidential talk upon all that had occurred during the period of +their separation, and the former was fairly jubilant over her friend's +account of the Earl of Sutherland's attentions to Violet. + +"An English earl!" she exclaimed, with a glowing face. "That is +positively bewildering! And you think that Violet likes him?" + +"She cannot help liking him," responded Mrs. Hawley; "for he has a way +that is perfectly irresistible. As I wrote to you, he is a good deal +older than she is, and he possesses a quiet dignity, and a certain +masterful manner that carries everything before it." + +"If he will only prove himself masterful enough to conquer Violet's will +and make her marry him, I shall be too proud and thankful to contain +myself," said Mrs. Mencke, earnestly. + +"It is very evident that he intends to do so if he can," returned her +friend, "and we must leave no opportunity unimproved to help him in his +wooing. We must keep Violet so busy with engagements that she will have +no time to think about her carpenter lover." + +Two more weeks passed, and still Violet did not hear from Wallace, and +the secret suspense and anxiety were beginning to tell visibly upon her. + +She lost color and spirit, and but for the fear of exciting suspicion, +she would have refused to mingle in the gay scenes which were becoming +wearisome to her. + +There was still a ceaseless round of pleasure, receptions, parties, +opera, and theatre, and everywhere the party was attended by two young +gentlemen who had become so deeply enamored of the beautiful American +girls. + +Violet tried her best to resist the force of the stream that seemed to +be hurrying her on whither she would not go, but without avail; for Vane +Cameron was always at her side, and everybody appeared to take it for +granted that he had a right to be there, while it became evident to +Violet that he was only waiting for a favorable opportunity to declare +himself her lover. + +What she dreaded came at last. + +They all attended the opera one evening, and a brilliant appearance they +made as they sat in one of the proscenium boxes. But Violet did not +enjoy the performance, and could not follow it; her thoughts would go +back to that fateful day when her life was saved by the coolness and +determination of Wallace Richardson. From that moment her soul had +seemed to become linked to his by some mysterious and indissoluble bond. + +All through the brilliant performance she sat absorbed, feeling sad, +depressed, and inexpressibly anxious, and looking like some pale, +beautiful spirit in her white dress trimmed with swan's-down, that was +scarcely less colorless than herself. + +Lord Cameron thought he had never seen her so lovely, but he realized +that something was not quite right with her, and, though he had received +Mrs. Mencke's permission to speak when he would, he resolved not to +trouble her that night with any expression of his affection. + +After their return to the hotel, Mrs. Mencke followed Violet to her +room, pride and triumph written upon every line of her face. + +"Have you anything to tell me, Violet?" she asked, a tremulous eagerness +in her tones. + +"No; what could you imagine that I should have to tell you?" the young +girl replied, regarding her with surprise. + +"What ails you, Violet?" Mrs. Mencke asked, with a sudden heart-throb, +as she noticed her unusual pallor. "Are you sick? Has--anything +happened?" + +"No, I am not sick," Violet answered, with a heavy sigh; "and what could +happen that you would not know about?" + +"I know what I wish would happen," returned her sister, eagerly, "and +what Lord Cameron wishes, too. He had eyes for no one but you to-night, +and I must say I never saw you look so pretty before. Your dress is just +exquisite, and it cost a heap of money, too; but that counts for nothing +in comparison with the conquest you have made." + +Violet could not fail to understand what all this meant. She flushed +hotly, and nervously began to pull off her gloves. + +Mrs. Mencke smiled at the blush; it was ominous for good, she thought. + +"You comprehend, I perceive," she said, airily; "you know that you have +captured a prize--that the Earl of Sutherland is ready and waiting to +offer you a name and position such as does not fall to the lot of one +girl in ten thousand." + +"Nonsense, Belle! I wish you would not talk so to me about Lord +Cameron," Violet petulantly exclaimed. + +"It is not nonsense, child, for Vane Cameron has formally proposed for +your hand in marriage--has asked Will's and my consent to win you if he +can." + +"Belle!" + +Violet turned upon her sister, crimson to the roots of her hair, blank +dismay written upon every feature of her fair face. + +"It is true," Mrs. Mencke continued, "and it is wonderful luck for you. +Just think, Violet, what it means to step into such a position! I am +proud of your conquest." + +Violet suddenly grew cold and pale as snow. + +"Belle, you know it can never be," she began, with white lips, when Mrs. +Mencke interrupted her angrily. + +"It can be--it must be--it shall be; for I have given my unqualified +consent to his lordship's proposal," she cried, actually trembling from +excitement. + +"Belle, you have not dared to do such a thing! You know that I am +promised to another," the young girl cried with blazing eyes. + +A queer look shot over Mrs. Mencke's face at this reply, and she opened +her lips as if to make one sharp, unguarded retort. Then she suddenly +checked herself, and, after a moment, remarked, in a repressed tone: + +"You know well enough that that foolish escapade of yours counts for +nothing, and that young Richardson has no right to hold you bound by any +promise you may have impulsively given him from a feeling of gratitude." + +"I hold myself bound, nevertheless," Violet returned, with tremulous +lips, "and not from any feeling of gratitude either; but because I love +him with all my heart." + +"You shall never marry him," retorted her sister, angrily. "Are you mad +to think of throwing away such a chance as this for a low-born fellow +like that? It is not to be thought of for one moment; and, Violet, you +shall marry Vane Cameron. + +"Take care, Belle, you are going a little too far now," Violet cried, a +dangerous flame leaping into her eyes. "I shall not marry Lord Cameron. +I have given my word to Wallace, and I shall abide by it." + +"Violet!" cried her sister, sternly, and she was now as white as the +snowy lace about her neck, "there shall be no more of this child's play. +You shall not ruin your life by any such foolishness. What will Vane +Cameron think of me for granting him the permission he craved? It was +equivalent to admitting that he would find no obstacle in his path. What +could you tell him?" + +"The truth--that I do not love him; that I do love some one else," +bravely and steadfastly returned the young girl. + +"You shall not! I should die with mortification and disappointment," +cried Mrs. Mencke, wringing her hands in distress. Then bridling again, +she went on, in an inflexible tone: "I will give you just one week to +reconsider your folly; I will intimate to Lord Cameron that you are a +little shy of the subject--that it will be just as well for him not to +speak for perhaps a couple of weeks; but--hear me, Violet--if you refuse +to come to my terms at the end of that time, I will take you to France +and shut you up in a convent, where you shall stay until you will +solemnly promise me that you will give up your miserable Yankee lover." + +She turned and abruptly left the room without giving Violet a chance to +reply. + +Violet stood still a moment, looking wretched enough to break one's +heart; then throwing herself upon her bed, she gave way to a passion of +tears and sobbing. + +"Oh, Wallace, where are you?" she moaned, "why don't you write to me? I +feel as if I was being led into a trap, and"--with a sudden light +seeming to burst upon her--"I believe they have been intercepting our +letters, for I know that you would be faithful to me. Oh, I am homesick +for you, and now that Belle and Will have come I know they will not let +me go back at the end of three months. What shall I do? Of course I +cannot marry Lord Cameron, and I shall tell him the truth if he asks +me." + +She lay for a long time trying to think of some way out of her troubles. +At last, when she had become more calm, she arose, exchanged her +beautiful evening dress for a wrapper, and then wrote a long letter to +Wallace, telling him all about her perplexity and suspicions, begging +him to send her some news of himself and to address his letter to +Nellie. + +Not having received any of his letters, she of course did not know that +he had removed from Cincinnati; therefore she directed her letter as +usual, and, of course, he never got it; although she slyly posted it in +the letter-box on one of the public buildings of the city while she was +out sight-seeing the next day. + +At the end of a week Mrs. Mencke sought Violet and renewed the subject +of Vane Cameron's proposal. + +"I wish you would let me alone about that, Belle," the young girl +responded, wearily. "It is useless for you to try to change my +decision--my word is pledged to Wallace, and only death will ever +release me from it, for if I live to go home I shall redeem it." + +"That is your ultimatum, is it?" demanded her sister, with a face as +hard as adamant. + +"Yes." + +"Then you oblige me to communicate a fact which, for several reasons, I +should have preferred to withhold from you," said Mrs. Mencke, bending a +strange look upon her. + +"What do you mean?" Violet inquired, startled by her manner. + +"Death has released you from your promise to that fellow. Read that," +was the stunning reply, as the woman drew a paper from her pocket, and, +laying it before Violet, pointed to a marked paragraph. + +"Belle!" came in a low, shuddering voice from the blanched lips of the +beautiful girl before her, as she seemed instinctively to know what was +printed here. + +"Read," commanded Mrs. Mencke, relentlessly. + +With hands that shook like leaves in the wind, Violet picked up the +paper. It was the Cincinnati _Times-Star_, and she read with a look of +horror on her young face: + + Died, on the 28th instant, Wallace Richardson, + aged 23 years and 6 months. + +The next moment a piercing shriek rang through the room, and Violet lay +stretched senseless at her sister's feet. + +"Heavens! I did not think she would take it to heart like this," cried +the now thoroughly frightened woman, as she threw herself upon her knees +beside the motionless girl and began to loosen her clothing and chafe +her hands. + +That heart-broken cry had been heard in the adjoining room, and Mrs. +Hawley and Nellie came rushing upon the scene to ascertain the cause of +it. + +They assisted in getting Violet to bed, and a physician was immediately +sent for. + +"She has had some sudden and violent shock," he said at once, while he +regarded Mrs. Mencke searchingly. + +"Yes," she confessed, with as much composure as her guilty conscience +would allow her to assume; "she read an account of the death of a--a +friend, in an American paper." + +"Hem!" was the medical man's brief comment, as he again turned his +attention to his patient, whom, it was evident, he considered to be in a +critical state. + +It was long before he could restore suspended animation, and even then +Violet did not come back to consciousness; fever followed, and she began +to rave in the wildest delirium. + +"It's going to be a neck-and-neck race between life and death," the +doctor frankly told her friends, "and you must be vigilant and patient." + +This unforeseen calamity, of course, put an end to all gayety. + +It was thought best that Nellie should at once repair to Milan, and Mrs. +Hawley left two days later to see her safely and comfortably settled at +her work, after which she returned to London to assist Mrs. Mencke in +the care of her sister. + +It was more than a month before Violet was pronounced out of danger; and +then, as soon as she was able to sit up, the physician advised a change +of climate; a few weeks at Mentone, he thought, would do her good. + +The poor girl looked as if a rude breath would quench what little life +she had, and Mrs. Mencke, who still secretly clung to the hope of +affecting an alliance between her and Lord Cameron, was anxious to do +everything to build her up; consequently she immediately posted off with +her invalid to that far-famed resort. She had a private interview first, +however, with his lordship, from whom the real cause of Violet's illness +had been kept a profound secret, and promised to send for him just as +soon as her sister was able to see him. + +The mild and genial atmosphere of Mentone produced a favorable change in +the invalid immediately. Her appetite improved, and with it strength and +something of her natural color. + +But the child was pitifully sad--heart-broken. Nothing appeared to +interest her, and she seemed to live from day to day only because nature +was stronger than her grief. + +She never spoke of Wallace, nor referred to the fact that her illness +had been caused by the dreadful tidings of his death. She was patient, +gentle, and submissive, doing whatever she was told to do, simply +because it was easier than to resist, and, as she slowly but surely +gained, Mrs. Mencke told herself that the way was clear to the +consummation of her ambitious hopes. + +A month passed thus, and then Vane Cameron appeared upon the scene, +having been summoned by an encouraging letter from Violet's sister. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +"YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR PROMISE AND YOU MUST STAND BY IT." + + +When Mrs. Mencke informed Violet of the arrival of the Earl of +Sutherland, something of her old spirit manifested itself for the first +time since her illness. + +"Did you send for him, Belle?" she demanded, an ominous flash leaping +into her heavy eyes. + +The woman colored. She did not like to confess that she had done so, but +such was the fact, nevertheless. + +"Why, Violet, you forget how anxious Lord Cameron would naturally be +regarding the state of your health," she answered, evasively; "besides, +he has waited a long time for the answer to a certain proposal, and +doubtless he is impatient for that." + +"He shall have it," the young girl returned, with sudden animation, a +crimson flush suffusing her cheeks. "Send for him to come directly here, +and I will give it at once." + +Mrs. Mencke regarded her doubtfully. + +"And it will be----" she began. + +"No!" replied Violet, emphatically, as she paused. + +"Oh, Violet, I beg of you to be reasonable," pleaded the woman, almost +in tears. "Just think what your life must be! One of the highest +positions in England is offered you by a young man of irreproachable +character; he loves you devotedly, and there is nothing he would not do +for you if you consent to become his wife. Besides a large income which +he will settle upon you, you will have an elegant home in Essex County, +a town house in London, and a villa on the Isle of Wight. There is no +earthly reason now, whatever there may have been two months ago, why you +should not listen to his suit." + +Violet shivered with sudden pain as her sister thus referred to the +death of her lover, and the fact that no plighted troth now stood in the +way of her accepting Lord Cameron's proposal of marriage. + +"No," she wailed, "I suppose there is no reason, save that I do not love +him--that my heart is dead, and I have no interest in life, no desire to +live." + +"You may imagine now that you can never love him, but time heals all +wounds," her sister returned; "and since you can now feel that you will +wrong no one else by marrying him, you might at least devote yourself to +him and secure his happiness by accepting him." + +"Do you imagine that he would be willing to marry a loveless woman--one +who had no heart to give him?" Violet questioned, with curling lips. + +"He only can answer that question himself," responded Mrs. Mencke, with +a sudden heart-bound, as she thought she saw signs of yielding in her +sister. "Oh, Violet, do not throw away such a chance. What are you going +to do in the future? How do you expect to spend the rest of your life if +you refuse to marry at all?" + +A thrill of intense agony ran through the young girl's frame at these +probing questions. + +How indeed was she to spend her life? How could she live without +Wallace? + +She had not thought of this before, and she was startled and appalled by +the apparent blackness of the future. + +"Oh, I don't know--I don't know!" she burst forth, in a voice of +despair. + +"As the wife of Lord Cameron you would at least have it in your power to +do a great deal of good, to say nothing of the happiness you would +confer upon him," suggested Mrs. Mencke, craftily. + +It impressed Violet, however, and she sat in thoughtful silence for some +time. + +One thing had forced itself upon her during this conversation, and that +was that she could not spend her life with her sister and her husband. +Every day she became more and more conscious that there could never be +any real congeniality and sympathy between them, and that it would be +better if they should separate. But what was to become of her if she +separated from them? Could she live alone--take her destiny in her own +hands, and cut herself free from them? It would certainly be very +lonely, very forlorn, to have no one in the world to care for her. + +She knew that Vane Cameron was a man in a thousand. He was noble and +amiable; whatever he did, he was actuated by pure motives, and she felt +that any woman who could love him would have cause to be proud in +becoming his wife. + +She knew that he loved her devotedly, as her sister had said; but would +he be willing to marry one who did not love him? Would it be right for +her to accept all and be able to give nothing in return? + +No, she did not believe he would be satisfied to live out his future in +any such way. + +Still she conceived a sudden resolution. She would see him; she would +tell him the truth, and she believed he would sympathize with her and at +once withdraw his suit, while her sister would have to accept his +decision as final, and cease to importune her further upon the subject. + +Having arrived at this conclusion, she leaned back in her chair, with a +deep sigh, as if relieved of a heavy burden. + +"Well?" said Mrs. Mencke, inquiringly. + +She had been watching her closely, and surmised something of what was +being revolved in her mind. + +"I will see Lord Cameron," Violet quietly replied. + +"And you will promise to marry him?" cried her companion, eagerly. + +Violet sighed again. She was so weary of it all. + +"No, I will not promise anything now; but I will see him--I will tell +him the whole truth, and then----" + +"Well?" was the almost breathless query, as Violet faltered and her lips +grew white. + +"Then he shall decide for me," she said, in a low tone. + +Mrs. Mencke arose delighted, for she felt that her point was gained. She +would encourage Vane Cameron to take Violet, in spite of everything, and +try to make him feel that once she was his wife he would have little +difficulty in eventually winning her love. + +She bent over Violet, in the excess of her joy, to kiss her, but the +young girl drew back from her. + +"No, Belle," she said, quietly but sadly, "do not make any pretense of +affection for me; you have not shown yourself a good sister; I believe +you have intercepted my letters, and you have tried to ruin my life, and +I do not want your kisses. I hope I shall not always feel thus," she +added, regretfully, as she saw the guilty flush which mounted to the +woman's forehead, "but, just now, I am afraid I do not love you very +much, and I will not be hypocritical enough to pretend that I do." + +Mrs. Mencke had nothing to say to this, for she well knew that she +richly deserved it; but she passed quickly from the room, and at once +sought an interview with Lord Cameron. + +An hour later he was sitting beside Violet, with a grave and pitiful +face, but with a look of eager hope in his fine eyes, which told that he +had no thought of leaving her presence a rejected lover. + +"Your illness has changed you greatly, Miss Huntington," he remarked, +regarding her thin, white face sorrowfully, "but I hope that you will +soon be yourself again, and--and now may I at once speak of what is +nearest my heart? I believe in a frank course at all times, and of +course you cannot be ignorant of my object in coming to you. I am sure +you must realize, by this time, something of the depth of my love for +you. Indeed my one hope, ever since our pleasant voyage across the +water, has been to win you. Darling, words cannot express one-half that +I feel; I have lived almost thirty years without ever meeting any one +with whom I could be willing to spend my life until now, and all the +long-pent-up passion of my nature goes forth to you. Violet, will you be +my wife? will you come to me and let me shelter you in the arms of my +love--let me try to make your future the brightest one that woman has +ever known? My love! my love! put your little hands in mine and say that +you will give yourself to me." + +Violet made such a gesture of pain at these words, while her face was +convulsed with such anguish, that Vane Cameron caught his breath and +regarded her with astonishment. + +When Mrs. Mencke had told him that Violet had consented to see him, she +hinted at some childish attachment, but encouraged him to hope for a +favorable issue of the interview. + +He realized now, however, that this "childish attachment" had left a far +deeper wound in Violet's heart than he had been allowed to suspect. + +"Is my confession distasteful to you, Violet?" he gravely asked, when he +could command himself to speak. "I was led to believe--I hoped that it +would meet with a ready response from you." + +"Oh, Lord Cameron! I do not know what to say to you," Violet began, in a +trembling voice. Then resolutely repressing her emotion, she continued: +"I have known, of course, that you regarded me in a very friendly way; +but it almost frightens me to have you express yourself so strongly as +you have just done." + +"Frightens you to learn of the depth of my affection," he said, with +some surprise. + +"Yes--to know that it has taken such a hold upon your life and that such +a responsibility has fallen upon me. I know that you are good, and true, +and noble, and you have my deepest esteem; but--but oh----" + +"Violet, what does this mean? I do not understand your distress at all," +Lord Cameron said, looking deeply pained. + +"Did not my sister tell you that I had a confession to make to you?" the +young girl asked, with burning cheeks. + +"No," the young man returned, very gravely; "she told me that you would +receive me--that I might hope for a favorable answer to my suit. She did +hint, however, that there had once been a childish attachment, as she +expressed it; but I hardly gave the matter a thought since she made so +light of it." + +"Belle has done wrong, then, to let you hope for so much; and now, Lord +Cameron, may I tell you all there is in my heart? May I make a full +confession to you? and then you shall judge me as you will." + +"Certainly, you may tell me anything you wish," he replied, wondering +more and more at her excessive emotion. "Do not be so distressed, dear +child," he added, as she covered her face with her thin hands, and he +saw the tears trickling between her fingers. "I should blame myself more +than I can tell you, for seeking this interview, if by so doing I cause +you so much unhappiness. I will even go away and never renew this +subject--though that would darken all my future life--rather than +agitate you thus." + +"Forgive me," Violet said, wiping her tears. "I will try not to break +down like this again, and I will deal with you with perfect frankness; I +know I do not need to ask you to respect my confidence." + +"Thank you," he simply answered. + +Violet then began by relating the accident of the incline plane and its +frightful consequences; she told how, almost miraculously, she and +Wallace were saved; about her illness in his home, and of their growing +fondness for each other during her convalescence. When she told of +Wallace's confession of his love for her and hers for him, she bowed her +face again upon her hands and went on, in quick, passionate tones, as if +it was too sacred to be talked about and she was anxious to have the +recital over as soon as possible. She spoke of her sister's opposition +to this affection and its consequences, with all the passion and trouble +it had aroused, and Vane Cameron's face grew graver, yet very tender and +pitiful as she proceeded. It was all told at last--Violet had concealed +nothing of her affection for Wallace, nothing of her rebellion against +her sister's wishes regarding her marriage with himself, and having thus +unburdened her soul, she still sat with bowed head before him, waiting +for his judgment of her. + +There was a silence of several minutes after she had concluded, while +both seemed to be battling with the emotions which filled their hearts; +then Lord Cameron spoke, and the tender cadence of his voice thrilled +the young girl as it had never done before. + +"Poor child! poor wounded, loving heart!" he said. "I wonder how you +have borne your sorrow. I know there is no human sympathy that can heal +your wound--only One, who has all power, can do that. But, Violet, I can +see, even though you shrink from saying it--even though you have tried +to hide as much of the wrong done you by others as you could--I can see +that you are unhappy from other causes than the loss of this dear one. +Your heart is starving for sympathy, love, and comfort. Now, just as +frankly as you have talked to me, I am now going to talk to you. You +have said that the drama of your life is played out--has ended in +tragedy; that you have loved and lost--your heart has exhausted itself, +and you can never love again. This may be so, Violet; we will assume +that it is"--his lip quivered painfully as he said it, and his face was +very pale--"still, in all probability, there are many years of life +before you--years which may be filled with much of good for those about +you, if not of absolute happiness for yourself. Could you make up your +mind to spend them with me? Do not be startled by the proposition, +dear," he said, as he saw the quiver that agitated her; "you shall think +of it as long as you will, and shall not be urged to anything from which +you shrink. I love you--that fact remains unalterable, in spite of all +that you have told me, and though your heart may not have one responsive +vibration to mine, yet I feel that I would gladly devote all my future +to the work of winning you to a more cheerful frame of mind--that I +should be happier in doing that than in living without you. Let me take +care of you. You have said you were tired of traveling--that you long +for home and rest. Come to my home--you shall have all the rest and +seclusion you wish--you shall live as you will; only let me give you the +protection of my love and my name and throw around you all the +comforting influences that I can. Forgive me if I refer to your sad +past; but only for this once. The dear one whom you have honored with +your love is gone; I do not ask you to forget him, or to violate, in any +way, the affection that belongs to him; but, since your life must be +lived out somewhere, I ask you to let it be with me. Do not allow your +sensitiveness to restrain you--do not feel that you will be 'wronging +me' as you have expressed it, 'by giving me only the ashes of your +love;' I shall be content if you will but come. Violet, will you?" + +Violet was nearer loving him at that moment than she had ever been. + +How grand, how noble he seemed in his utter self-abnegation--thinking +only of her and of the comfort that he might manage to throw around her +broken life! + +Oh, she thought, if he was only her brother, how gladly she would go +with him and give him all the affection that a sister might bestow upon +one so worthy. + +It was a great temptation as it was, for the barriers that had come +between herself and her sister, and which she knew would become stronger +and almost intolerable, if she disappointed her in her ambitious +schemes, made her feel as if it would be impossible to remain with her, +and the world seemed very desolate. + +Still, to consent to become the wife of this good man, to accept all the +benefits which his position would confer upon her, to be continually +surrounded by his care and thoughtful love, seemed the height of +selfishness to her, when she had nothing but her broken life to give in +return, and she shrank from the sacred bond and the responsibility of +its obligations. + +"I am afraid--it does not seem right," she faltered, yet she lifted her +eyes to him with a wistfulness that was pathetic in the extreme, and +which moved him deeply. + +"Violet, come," he repeated, earnestly, as he held out his strong right +hand to her. + +"I dare not," she said, "and yet----" + +"You want to--you will!" he cried, eagerly, as, leaning toward her, he +clasped the small hand that lay upon the arm of her chair. + +It was icy cold, and glancing anxiously into her face, he saw that she +had fainted away. + +The excitement of the interview, the desolation of her wounded heart, +and the longing for home and rest, were too much for her frail strength, +and she had swooned, even while he thought she was consenting to be his +wife. + +He sprang to the bell and rang for assistance, then gathering her in his +arms, he gently laid her upon a sofa, just as the door opened and Mrs. +Mencke entered. + +"I am afraid that I have overtaxed her strength," Lord Cameron said, in +a tone of self-reproach, as he lifted a rueful face to her. + +"Have you won?" she asked, eagerly. + +"I think so, but----" + +Mrs. Mencke waited for nothing more. + +"She will soon recover from this," she interrupted, a triumphant ring in +her tone, as she began to sprinkle Violet's face with water from a +tumbler which she seized from a table. "Leave her with me now, and I +will call you again when she is better." + +The young girl was already beginning to revive, and fearing that his +presence might agitate her again, Lord Cameron stole softly from the +room, but looking strangely sad for a man who believed he had prospered +in his wooing. + +"You are better, Violet," Mrs. Mencke said, with unwonted tenderness, as +her sister opened her eyes and looked around the room as if in search of +some one. + +She brought a glass of wine to her, and putting it to her lips, bade her +drink. + +She obeyed, and the stimulating beverage soon began to warm her blood +and restore her strength. + +"Has he gone?" she asked, glancing toward the door. + +"Lord Cameron? Yes; he thought you had had excitement enough for one +day, and as soon as you began to come to yourself he stole away. Do you +wish me to call him back?" her sister inquired, regarding her curiously. + +"No," but there was a perplexed look upon her fair face. + +"He tells me that you are going to make him happy, Vio," pursued her +sister, anxious to learn just how matters stood, "that you will marry +him. I am delighted, dear, and I know that he will do all in his power +to make your life a perfect one." + +"Did he tell you that? Did I promise?" Violet cried, with a startled +look and putting her hand to her head in a dazed way. + +"Violet Huntington! what a strange child you are! Here you have just +given a man to understand that you have accepted him and yet, when you +are congratulated upon the fact, you affect not to know what you have +done!" cried Mrs. Mencke, pretending to be entirely out of patience with +her. + +She meant to carry things with a high hand now. She saw that there had +been a momentary yielding upon Violet's part, though there was some +doubt as to just what she had intended to do, and she was determined to +make it count if she could do so by any means, legitimate or otherwise. + +"Don't be cross with me, Belle," Violet pleaded, with a quivering lip, +"for I really cannot remember. Lord Cameron was so kind, so generous, +and I began to say something to him--I don't know what--when I felt +queer and knew nothing more until I awoke and found you here." + +Mrs. Mencke saw her advantage in all this, and did not fail to make the +most of it. + +"Well, you must have given him to understand that you accepted him, for +he told me that he had won you, and now I hope we shall not have any +more nonsense about the matter. Lord Cameron is too good to be trifled +with. You have given your promise, and must stand by it," she concluded, +in an authoritative tone. + +"Yes, if I have promised, I suppose--I must," gasped unhappy Violet, and +then fainted away again. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE DAY IS SET FOR VIOLET'S MARRIAGE. + + +Mrs. Mencke privately informed Lord Cameron that Violet had acknowledged +the engagement, and would see him again when she was a little stronger. + +His lordship thanked her with a beaming face, and tried to think that he +was the happiest man on the Continent, but there was, nevertheless, an +aching void in his heart that could not be fully satisfied with the +result of his wooing. + +The morning following his betrothal he sent Violet an exquisite bouquet +composed of blue and white bell-flowers, cape jasmine, and box, which +breathed to the young girl, who was versed in the language of flowers, +of gratitude, constancy, and joyfulness of heart. + +She turned white and faint again at the sight of them, and a +broken-hearted sob burst from her lips. + +"Did I promise? did I promise?" she moaned. "I do not remember; but if +he says I did, it must be so, for I know that he is too noble to deceive +me. I wish I could die! for it seems like sacrilege to become Lord +Cameron's wife when my heart is so filled with the image of another." + +Mrs. Mencke came in and found her in tears, and was secretly very much +annoyed, besides being a trifle conscience-smitten over the strategy +which she had employed to bring about this longed-for marriage. But she +exerted herself to amuse her troublesome invalid, while she told herself +that she should consider it a lucky day when she got her off her hands +altogether. + +The second morning after matters had been thus settled, Vane Cameron was +told that he might pay his betrothed another visit. + +This he was, of course, only too glad to do, and his face lighted with +positive joy when, upon entering her presence, he saw a cluster of +bluebell flowers fastened upon her breast among the folds of her dainty +white _robe-de chambre_. + +He went forward and took both her hands in his, pressing his lips first +to one and then the other, in a chivalrous, reverent way that touched +Violet deeply, and smote her, too, with a sense of guilt and shame. + +"God is good to me in granting my heart's desire," he said, in a low, +earnest tone. "May His richest blessings be yours in the future, my +Violet." + +The fair girl could not utter one word in reply. Her heart was beating +so rapidly and heavily that for a moment she thought she must suffocate, +while that mute cry again went up from its wounded depths: + +"Oh! Wallace, Wallace, did I promise?" + +Lord Cameron saw that she was deeply agitated, and, seating himself +beside her, he began to talk of subjects to distract her mind from +herself and their new relations to each other. + +He possessed great tact and a wonderful fund of anecdote and incident, +and before he left her presence he had actually made her laugh over a +droll account of an experience of the previous day. + +After that he enticed her out for a drive about the beautiful bay, and +having once achieved this much, it was comparatively easy to plan +something for her pleasure and amusement every day. + +While Violet was with him she could not fail to feel the charm of his +presence, and she would, for the time, forget herself and her trouble; +but the moment she was alone, the old aversion to the thought of +becoming his wife, together with all her love and grief for Wallace, +would revive to make her wretched. + +One day, as they were nearing their hotel after a longer drive than +usual, and Violet had seemed to enjoy herself more than she was wont to +do, Lord Cameron ventured to broach a subject that lay very near his +heart. + +"Mrs. Mencke informs me that she and her husband are contemplating a +tour of the Alps this summer," he remarked, by way of introduction. + +Violet looked up surprised. She had not heard her sister say anything +about such a tour, and there was nothing that she dreaded so much, in +the present weakened state of her mind and body, as being taken about to +various fashionable resorts and to be obliged to meet gay +pleasure-seekers. + +She sighed heavily, but made no other reply to Lord Cameron's +information. + +"You feel that it would be rather hard for you to make such a trip, do +you not?" her companion inquired, gently. Then, without waiting for a +reply, he went on: "How would you like, instead, to come with me to the +Isle of Wight and spend a quiet, restful summer, interspersed perhaps, +with a little yachting now and then?" + +A great shock went through Violet at this, as she realized that he +wanted her to become his wife immediately and go home with him. + +A blur came before her eyes, a great lump seemed to rise in her throat +and almost choke her. + +Oh, she thought, if she could only flee away to her own room at home in +Cincinnati and stay by herself, out of the sight or sound of everybody, +what a relief it would be! + +She shrank more and more from Belle and Will and the idea of going about +from place to place with them; still, a feeling of guilt and wrong +oppressed her every time she thought of marrying this good, noble man, +and giving him only the ashes of a dead love in return for the wealth of +his affection for her. + +Yet, of the two plans, the going to the Isle of Wight, to quiet and +rest, seemed the most attractive, while the yachting proposal was very +alluring, for Violet was intensely fond of the sea. + +Vane Cameron was conscious of the shock which had so thrilled her, but +whether it had been caused by pleasure or repugnance he could not tell. +He feared the latter, for his sweet bride-elect had, thus far, been very +unresponsive to his love and devotion. + +He sat regarding her very gravely and somewhat sadly, while she seemed +to be considering his proposition. + +His thought had been more for her health and comfort than of his own +desire or pleasure, but he would not bias her decision one way or the +other. + +Finally Violet lifted her eyes to his face, while a faint flush tinged +her pale cheek. + +"I will do whatever you like--whatever you think best," she said, +quietly. + +His heart leaped as he remarked the flush, but he returned, earnestly, +tenderly: + +"Not what I would like, dear, but what you would prefer. I would not +force you a hair's breadth against your inclination, much as I long to +have you go with me. Would you enjoy the tour through the Alps with your +sister?" + +"No, no!" Violet cried, in a strained, unnatural voice, as she felt the +net of circumstances closing hopelessly about her. "Oh, I wish I could +go home!" and yet where, on the face of the earth, had she now a home? + +This wistful, almost despairing cry actually brought tears to the eyes +of the strong man at her side, while his heart sank heavily within him, +for surely there had been no thought of him or of his great love in that +homesick wail. + +But bravely putting aside self, as he always did where she was +concerned, he gently returned: + +"You shall go home if you wish--you shall do anything you like, and I +will not urge you to any step against which your heart rebels; still, if +you are willing to go with me, I will gladly take you home to America. +Mr. and Mrs. Mencke, I know, have no thought of returning at present, as +they have told me that they intend to travel for the next year or two, +and hope to see the most of Europe during that time. It seemed to me +that you were not strong enough, just now, to begin such a ceaseless +round of travel, and that is why I proposed the Isle of Wight. Shall we +go there to rest until you are a little more robust, and then, if you +wish, we will return to America?" + +How good--how kind he was! And if he had only been her brother, Violet +could have thrown herself upon his breast and wept out her gratitude for +and appreciation of his thoughtfulness. + +But to speak the words that would settle her destiny for life--to tell +him that she would become his wife immediately--how could she? + +Still she knew it must be one thing or the other--either a hurry and +rush over Europe with uncongenial companions, or a going away to some +peaceful retreat as the Countess of Sutherland. + +At last, with a mighty effort to control the nervous trembling that +seized her, but with a sense of despair in her heart, she murmured, in a +scarcely audible voice: + +"I will go to the Isle of Wight." + +Vane Cameron made no reply to this, though his heart gave a great leap +of gladness. He simply laid one hand gently and tenderly upon hers for a +moment, then touching up his horse, drove rapidly up the avenue leading +to the hotel, where upon the wide piazza, they saw Mr. and Mrs. Mencke +seated among the other guests of the house. + +"May I tell your sister that you have decided against the tour through +the Alps?" Vane whispered, as he lifted Violet's light form from the +carriage. + +"Yes," she assented, and then fled to her own room, where she sank +nearly fainting upon her bed. + +She felt that she was irrevocably bound now; that she had given her +unqualified consent to become Lord Cameron's wife. She would soon be a +countess and occupy a position which half the women in Europe would +envy, and yet she was utterly wretched. + +A little later her sister came to her, and in all her life Violet could +not remember that she had ever manifested so much affection for her. + +"Vane has told me," she said, in an exultant tone, as she bent down and +softly kissed Violet's forehead. "I am very glad, and I fully agree with +him that it will be best for you to go quietly to the Isle of Wight +until your health is fully established. He says he has a yacht there +also, and intends to give you an occasional taste of the ocean which you +love so much. It will be delightful. And now we must begin to think of +the necessary preparations, for Vane says, if you are agreeable, he +would like the marriage to take place just a month from to-day, when you +will start immediately for England." + +For the life of her Violet could not prevent the shiver which shook her +from head to foot at this announcement, and a wild desire for death and +oblivion shot through her heart. + +"Well, dear, what shall I tell him?" Belle asked, after waiting some +time for a response and receiving none. + +"Suit yourselves--it makes no difference to me," Violet said, wearily, +and though it was a rather doubtful and unsatisfactory concession, Mrs. +Mencke made the most of it; and, feeling perfectly jubilant over this +happy termination to all her ambitious plotting and scheming, she stole +away to impart the gratifying information to her husband, who, of late, +had seemed to be very impatient of the delay to bring matters to a +crisis. + +They did not trouble the young girl much after that. Vane said she must +not be annoyed by petty details, so he took everything that was possible +upon himself. + +Matters of importance, which he did not feel at liberty to decide alone, +he submitted to Mrs. Mencke, who pretended to consult Violet; but it was +only pretense, for she settled everything to suit herself, and the +preparations for the wedding went steadily and rapidly forward. + +The ambitious woman was so delighted that she felt she must have some +outlet for her feelings, which would have been out of taste for her to +exhibit there, so she sent notices to different American papers of the +approaching marriage of her sister, "Miss Violet Draper Huntington to +his lordship the Earl of Sutherland," etc. etc. + +Violet kept her room most of the time, for she shrank from mingling with +the guests of the hotel, since she knew there would be a great deal of +gossip over her approaching nuptials, and she did not like to be +conspicuous. + +She drove nearly every day with her betrothed, however, and while with +him exerted herself to appear interested and entertained, and grateful +for his unwearied kindness. + +He was very considerate of her feelings--he seldom referred to their +approaching marriage, but sought by every means in his power to keep her +mind engaged with amusing and pleasant topics. + +The ceremony was to be performed in the English church of the place, and +Mrs. Mencke had sent to Paris for a suitable trousseau for the occasion. +She had spared no expense, for she was determined that the affair should +be as brilliant as circumstances would permit. + +The day preceding that set for the wedding Violet was so ill--so nervous +and prostrated by her increasing dread and sense of wrong as the fatal +hour drew near--that she did not rise until noon, while it was nearly +evening before she felt able to grant Vane an interview which he +particularly requested. + +He startled back appalled, when, as he entered her parlor, she turned +her wan, colorless face toward him. + +"You are ill! I had no idea that you were so sick!" he cried, in a voice +of deep concern and surprise, for Mrs. Mencke had made light of Violet's +indisposition. + +"No, not ill, only tired and a little nervous," she replied, trying to +smile, reassuringly. + +He sat down beside her and began to tell her about the arrangements he +had made for going "home," and she was touched to see how, in every +detail, he had had only her comfort and pleasure in mind. + +"Shall you like it?" he asked, when he had sketched the proposed journey +to her. + +"Yes, thank you; you are very kind," she tried to say, heartily, but, in +spite of her effort, the tone sounded cold and formal. + +The young man's face fell. He had so hoped to see hers light up with +anticipation. + +"Is there anything that you would like changed? Would you prefer to go +another way, or to take in other places on the route?" he asked, +wishing, oh, so earnestly, that she would express some preference, or +even make some objection to his plans; anything would be more endurable +than such apathetic acquiescence. + +"No, let it stand, please, just as you have it," she answered, in a +somewhat weary tone. + +"Have you everything you wish? Are there no little things that you +need--that have been overlooked--for--to-morrow?" he asked, wistfully, +his voice dropping to a tender cadence at that last word, as he realized +how nearly the one great desire of his heart was within his grasp. + +Was it his imagination, or did a shiver of repulsion run over Violet's +frame at this reference to their wedding-day? + +She was as white as the fleecy shawl that was thrown about her +shoulders, and there was a pathetic droop about her lovely mouth that +pained him exceedingly. + +"No, thank you," she quietly replied; "Belle has attended to +everything." + +He arose, feeling disappointed. If she had made but a single request of +him, no matter how simple, it would have made him so happy to execute +it; but his hands were tied--he could not force favors upon her. + +"I will not remain longer, dear," he said, gently; "I want you to get +all the rest possible to-night, so as to be strong for our journey +to-morrow." + +Violet arose also, and stood pale and motionless before him. She was +very lovely, and he never forgot the picture she made, with the crimson +light of the setting sun flooding her white-robed form, tinging her pale +face with an exquisite color, and giving a deeper, richer tint to her +golden hair. + +Oh, if he had but been sure of her love, how supremely happy they might +be, he thought, with all the bright prospects before him. + +An irrepressible wave of tenderness and longing swept over him, and, +involuntarily reaching out his arms, he drew her gently within his +embrace. + +"My darling," he whispered, "you are all the world to me. I pray that I +may be able to prove to you by and by, how wholly you occupy this heart +of mine." + +He lifted her face with one hand and searched it earnestly for a moment, +then, bending forward, he pressed his lips to hers in a lingering +caress. + +It was the first time that he had kissed her, or made any outward +demonstration of his great love since their betrothal. + +Violet broke away from him, with a low, thrilling cry of anguish, and +sank, pale and quivering in every nerve, into the chair from which she +had just arisen. + +That caress had recalled the last passionate kiss of farewell that +Wallace had given her just before the steamer left its pier in New York, +while it had also revealed to her the fact that he would always be more +to her, even though he were dead, than Lord Cameron, with all his love, +his goodness, and generosity, could ever hope to be, living. + +He was deeply hurt, however, by this repulse and her cry of despair. He +stood for a moment looking down upon her, mingled pain and remorse for +what he had done plainly written on his face. Then he said, in a +repressed tone: + +"Forgive me, Violet; I will try not to wound you thus again." + +She threw out her hand to him with an appealing gesture, +conscience-smitten, for his tone plainly told her how deeply she had +hurt him. + +"Forgive me," she said, contritely, a little sob pointing her words. + +He took the hand and pressed it gently. + +"I have nothing to forgive, dear. Now good-night, and try to sleep +well," he returned kindly, and then went softly out from her presence, +but looking grave and troubled. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +"THERE WILL BE NO WEDDING TO-DAY." + + +"Oh, if my mother were only alive!" burst passionately from Violet's +lips, as the door closed after her betrothed. "My heart is broken, and +there is no one in the wide, wide world to whom I can tell my trouble. I +have no friends, no home, and am forced to marry a man whom I do not +love, in order to find one. Belle, who ought to care for me, sympathize +with, and comfort me, thinks only of the wealth and position I am to +secure, and"--a bitter smile curling her lips--"is even greatly elated +at the prospect of getting rid of me in such fine style. I cannot--I +cannot bear it; and to-morrow--to-morrow I am to be bound for life!" + +She sprang wildly to her feet, a bright spot of fever burning upon each +cheek, and began pacing the floor with nervous tread. For an hour she +kept this up, going mechanically from one end of the luxurious apartment +to the other, apparently unconscious of what she was doing. + +In the midst of this almost frantic state of mind Mrs. Mencke came +sweeping in upon her. + +"What ails you, Violet?" she demanded, regarding her with anxious eyes. +"You have been moving about incessantly during the last hour. You must +not work yourself into such a nervous state, or you will be wholly +unfitted for the ceremony to-morrow. I want you to look your best, and +you will surely be pale and hollow-eyed, if not positively ill, if you +keep on at this rate. Besides, Lady Isabella arrived a short time ago, +and has asked to be allowed to see you for a little while." + +"Oh! I cannot see her to-night, Belle. Let me alone for the few hours +that remain to me," Violet moaned, as she threw herself upon the lounge +and buried her hot face in the cool, silken pillow. + +"The few hours that remain to you, indeed! One would think you were +about to be executed, instead of married to an earl. Do not be so +insufferably childish," returned her sister, impatiently. "There will be +no time to-morrow for you to see Lady Cameron, and it is uncourteous, +uncivil to refuse her request." + +Violet made no response to this; she was too weak and wretched to assert +herself, and she knew that Belle would carry her point regarding this +interview as she had done in all other things of late. + +Mrs. Mencke brought her some quieting drops, which she obediently +swallowed, and after a few moments began to grow more composed. + +"I will tell Lady Cameron that you are nervous and tired, and ask her +not to stay long," Belle said, when she saw that Violet was more calm; +"but you must see her for a few minutes, and I hope you will have the +good taste not to offend her in any way," she concluded, significantly. + +"Very well; let her come," Violet answered, resignedly, and thinking it +better to have the ordeal over as soon as possible. + +She had always liked and admired Lady Cameron; had always enjoyed her +society, and, under other circumstances, would have been glad to see her +now; but everything and every one connected with her approaching +marriage seemed positively hateful to her, in her present state. + +Mrs. Mencke did not wait for her to change her mind, but went +immediately to tell her ladyship that Violet would see her, and a few +minutes later, there came a gentle knock upon the door of the young +girl's room. + +Before she could arise to admit her visitor, it was softly opened, and a +lovely, sweet-faced lady of about fifty years entered. + +She was clad in a simple yet elegant costume of silver-gray silk, +trimmed with rich black lace. A cluster of pearls gleamed fair and white +at her throat, and a dainty little cap of costly lace rested lightly +upon her soft, brown hair, which as yet had not a visible thread of +silver in it. + +"Do not rise, dear," she said, as Violet attempted to do so. "Your +sister has told me that you are still far from being well, and that I +must not stay long. Let me sit right here beside you," she continued, +drawing a low rocker close to the lounge, and then, bending down, she +kissed Violet fondly upon the forehead. + +Violet returned her greeting with what composure she could, but the +observing lady could easily see that it required a great effort, +although she imagined that embarrassment was the cause. + +"I knew that I could not see you to-morrow," she resumed, "and I felt as +if I must have just a few minutes' chat with you on this last evening of +your maiden life. You have no mother, dear, and though I am sure your +sister has tried to do everything that was wise and kind, yet she cannot +quite take the place of a mother at such a time as this, and my heart +yearned to come to you." + +Violet was deeply moved by these kind words, and she clasped more +closely the hand that had sought hers in such fond sympathy. Still her +heart ached more keenly, if that were possible, than before, while a +feeling of guilt stole over her--a consciousness of wrong toward this +loving mother in the injury she felt she was about to do her son. + +"I was wishing for my mother just as you came," she murmured, a little +sob bursting from her lips. + +Lady Isabel leaned forward and wound her arms about the slight form of +the girl. + +"Then, dear child, let me take her place, as far as I can," she said, in +a low, winning tone; "and to-morrow you will have the right to call me +by that sacred name, while I shall have a dear daughter. Ah, Violet, I +cannot tell you how much I have always wanted a daughter--one who would +be a companion and a confidante. But I have had only my son until now. +My dear, I know we shall love each other, and I am looking forward, with +more delight than I can express, to the future when you will belong to +us and brighten our home with your fresh young life. I have been drawn +toward you from the first day of our meeting in London, and if Vane had +asked me to select a bride for him, I could not have chosen one more to +my mind. I know that you will make him a very loving and faithful wife." +How Violet cringed beneath those words, which so plainly told her that +Vane had not confided to his mother the doubtful relations that existed +between them! "He is a noble fellow," the fond woman went on; "he was +always a good and dutiful boy, and has been such a comfort to me. Better +than all, Violet, he is a true Christian, and it is delightful to hear +him talk of his plans regarding the welfare of his tenants, and of the +improvements he hopes to make in the condition of the poor upon his +estates. Do you know," she continued, with a sweet seriousness that was +very charming, "that I think it is a great thing--a wonderful thing for +an earl to be such a Christian, and one who wishes so earnestly to carry +his Christianity into his every-day life? There is so much +responsibility in such a position, and such an opportunity for doing +good. You are a Christian also, are you not, Violet? and you will +sympathize with and help Vane carry out all his plans? What is it, +dear?" + +This last anxious question was drawn forth by the violent start which +Violet had given, as a new and solemn thought suddenly burst upon her at +these probing questions. + +"Am I wearying you--are you feeling ill?" she added, regarding her with +deep concern. + +With a great effort Violet controlled the trembling that had seized her, +and strove to reply calmly: + +"No, I am not ill, dear Lady Cameron, but your asking me if I am a +Christian made me suddenly remember something that I had not thought of +before." + +"What was that, dear?" Lady Isabel questioned. "Unburden yourself just +as you would to your own mother on this last night of your single life." + +An expression of pain clouded Violet's brow, but after a moment she +said, gravely: + +"Yes, I have called myself a Christian for more than a year, and I +believe my strongest desire is to do what is right always; but life has +so many temptations that I know I have often failed. I will try--to do +right in the future," she went on, but seemingly strangely agitated, her +companion thought. "I will do what I can to--to make Lord Cameron--at +least, I will try not to hinder him in any good work. I would like to +make him happy and you--dear Lady Cameron, I truly wish that I might +make you happy also," Violet concluded, raising her head from her pillow +and looking eagerly, wistfully into the beautiful face beside her. + +The lady bent and kissed her again, though she wondered a little at the +undertone of pain and passion that rang through her words. + +"With such a spirit I am sure you cannot fail to be a help to Vane, and +I know we shall all be very happy," she said fondly. + +Still Violet continued to regard her with that earnest, wistful look, +while the nervous trembling, which she strove so hard to conceal, began +to be apparent in spite of her efforts. + +"I hope," she said, timidly, appealingly, "that you will always believe +in me. I am liable to be mistaken in my view of what is right--promise +me, oh, promise me, that, whatever I may do, you will trust me--you will +believe that I want to be true, and that you will never cease to think +kindly of me." + +She clung to her companion with passionate longing, her hot little hands +grasping hers with a painful, trembling clasp, while she seemed so +completely unstrung by some inward emotion that Lady Cameron was +alarmed. + +"My dear child, this will never do," she said, regarding her anxiously, +"you must not allow yourself to become so excited, and I blame myself +for directing our conversation into such a serious channel. I must run +away at once and leave you to get calm. Of course, my love, I shall +always trust you, while you already have such a firm hold upon my heart +that I do not believe I could cease to love you if I would. There, you +shall not talk any more," as Violet opened her lips as if to speak; +"good-night, pleasant dreams, and a refreshing slumber. This," with a +light laugh, "is the last kiss I shall ever give Violet Huntington; when +next my lips touch yours you will be somebody's dear wife." + +With a lingering caress the beautiful woman released her from her arms, +and then stole softly from the room, thinking what a sweet, lovable wife +Vane would have on the morrow. + +But if she could have seen Violet as she lay there on her couch after +she had gone, she would have marveled more than she had done over her +previous excitement. + +She clasped her hands across her eyes as if to shut out some dreadful +vision, and seemed to cower and shrink as if some one was smiting her +with a stinging lash. + +"Oh, what have I done!" she moaned. "A Christian, and on the point of +perjuring myself before God's altar! A Christian, and weakly yielding to +what I know would be a sin of deepest dye! A Christian, and consenting +to take the poison of my wretchedness--of a heart that is filled with a +hopeless love for another--into a good man's life and home! No--a +thousand times no! I have been blind, wicked, reckless. Vane Cameron is +too good a man to have his life hampered and ruined thus, and I honor +him far too much to do him such wrong, now that I see it in its true +light. Oh, if he were but my brother, with his noble principles, his +strong, true heart and boundless sympathy, I could stand by him, help +him to carry out the good that he has planned, and devote my whole life +to him; but as his wife--never!" and she broke into a perfect tempest of +tears and sobs as she arrived at this crisis. + +Daylight faded; the last crimson flush died out of the western sky; +darkness settled upon the mountain-tops that overlooked the beautiful +bay, and gradually wrapping itself about them like a mantle, finally +dropped like a pall upon the gay watering-place and the adjacent +village, which all day long had been in a fever of excitement and +expectation over the prospect of the grand wedding that was to occur on +the morrow. + +Nothing else had been talked of for a week, and everybody was anxious to +see the beautiful girl whom the distinguished English earl had won, but +who had so resolutely secluded herself that but very few had had even a +glimpse of her face; but on the morrow everybody would have an +opportunity to judge for themselves, whether she was one who would honor +the high position which had been offered her. + +About nine o'clock Mrs. Mencke went up to her sister's room to see if +she needed anything before retiring. + +She tried the door and found it locked. + +"Are you in bed, Violet?" she called, in a low tone, with her lips at +the key-hole. + +"No, Belle, but I am busy with a little writing which I wish to do," +Violet answered, in calm, even tones. "But never mind me--go back to +your dancing; I can take care of myself and would rather not be +disturbed by any one again to-night." + +"I will come up again in half an hour," Mrs. Mencke returned, not +satisfied to leave her thus for the night. + +"No, do not, Belle, please--I prefer that you should not," pleaded her +sister. + +"Will you be sure to take your drops? You will need all the strength +that you can get for to-morrow," persisted Mrs. Mencke. + +"Yes, I will take them; I know that I shall need strength," was the +grave reply. + +"All right; good-night, then, and a good rest to you," said Mrs. Mencke, +and the rustle of her silken garments on the stairs, a moment later, +told Violet that she had gone back to the gay company below which she +enjoyed so much. + +Two hours later, when she came up to bed, she stopped again before +Violet's door, as she was passing to her own room, and bent her head to +listen. + +All was quiet within, except for the ticking of the clock which stood on +a bracket near the door, and which, somehow, sounded strangely clear, +and almost seemed to give an ominous click with each motion of its +pendulum. + +She did not try to enter; she thought if Violet was sleeping quietly it +would be unwise to disturb her, and so she moved on to her own chamber, +yet with a somewhat anxious and unsatisfied feeling at her heart. + +She slept very soundly, and did not awake until nearly eight o'clock the +next morning. Her husband had gone to Nice a couple of days previous, +and was to return on the first train that day, so there had been no +movement in her room to disturb her. + +When she realized how late it was, and how much there was to be done, +for the wedding had been set for eleven o'clock, she sprang from her +bed, and hastily throwing on her clothing, went immediately to Violet's +apartments. + +The door yielded to her touch, and she entered the parlor, to find no +one there. + +She passed on to Violet's chamber, and rapped upon the door. + +There was no answer, and entering, she was surprised to see that it was +empty, and somewhat startled, also, to see that the bed was nicely made, +and the room in perfect order. + +"What can this mean?" she muttered, and then rang the bell a vigorous +peal. + +A servant answered it immediately. + +"Have you been called to attend Miss Huntington this morning?" she +demanded. + +"No, madame." + +"Have you seen her anywhere about the house?" Mrs. Mencke questioned, +greatly perplexed by her sister's strange movements. + +"No, madam." + +"What! did you not put her room in order this morning?" she asked, +sharply. + +Again she was doomed to hear the simple, respectful, "No, madame." + +More and more perplexed, and not a little alarmed, Mrs. Mencke hastened +out into the hall, and was proceeding down stairs to seek Lord Cameron, +when she met him just coming up to inquire for his betrothed. + +He greeted her with his usual courteous manner; then, observing her +troubled look, became suddenly grave. + +"What is it?" he quickly asked. "I hope Violet is not ill." + +"No--I do not know--I--I--have you seen her?" faltered and stumbled Mrs. +Mencke, in a tone of distress. + +"Seen her?" the young man replied, greatly surprised; for on this +morning, of all others, Violet would, of course, be supposed to be +invisible. "No; certainly not," he added, recovering himself. "Is she +not in her room?" + +"No, and it looks as if it had not been occupied during the night," Mrs. +Mencke whispered, with pale lips. + +"Do not tell me that," Lord Cameron said, sternly, his face growing +ashen pale at the information. + +He turned, and leaping two stairs at a time, was at the top in a moment, +and striding forward toward Violet's room. + +Reaching it, he stopped, his innate delicacy forbidding him to enter +without permission, and waited until Mrs. Mencke joined him. + +They went in together, and he observed with a terrible heart-sinking the +perfect order in which everything had been left in both rooms. + +Mrs. Mencke explained that she had questioned the chambermaid, but that +she knew nothing about Violet's movements. + +"She may have gone out for a walk--to get the air," the wretched +groom-elect remarked, but he was white to his lips as he said it. + +"Gone out for a walk on her wedding-morning, when there was scarcely +time to prepare for the ceremony! I wish I could even believe it +possible that she would do such an unheard-of thing," said Mrs. Mencke, +in a tone of despair, and feeling nearly paralyzed by this sudden and +inexplicable absence. + +Nevertheless they exerted themselves to ascertain if the missing +bride-elect was anywhere about the premises, Lord Cameron, with the +proprietor of the hotel, to whom alone he confided his trouble, going +out in search of her. + +Meantime Mrs. Mencke went back to Violet's rooms to ascertain if +anything was missing, but everything appeared to be in its accustomed +place. Every drawer was daintily arranged, as she was in the habit of +keeping them; all her jewels, laces, and ribbons were in their +respective boxes; even the rings, which she usually wore, lay upon her +pincushion, where she always put them before taking a bath. + +Her dresses hung in her wardrobe--all but the traveling dress which she +had worn when she came to Mentone. It was a dark-gray cloth, trimmed +with narrow bands of blue silk. The hat to match, with its bows of blue +velvet, and a single gray wing, together with a thick blue vail, were +also missing, and a pair of thick walking-boots, together with a light +traveling shawl. + +Beyond these few things nothing, as far as she could ascertain upon so +hasty an examination, was gone; not even a change of clothing, toilet +articles, or a traveling-bag, things which Violet would be sure to need +if she had contemplated flight. + +Mrs. Mencke was somewhat reassured after these investigations, and tried +to think that her sister had gone out for a walk--possibly to the town +to post the letter she had been writing the previous night, rather than +to wait for it to go later with the hotel mail. + +Still, she was terribly anxious, and her face was pallid with fear and +anxiety. + +She had staked so much--far more than any one save herself knew--to +achieve this brilliant marriage for Violet, and it seemed more than she +could bear to have it fail at the last moment, and after all the heavy +expense of the beautiful trousseau from Worth's. + +She wandered restlessly from room to room in an agony of suspense, Lady +Cameron following her and vainly trying to speak words of comfort and +cheer, while they waited for the return of those who had gone to search +for the missing one. + +Lord Cameron came back after a time, accompanied by Mr. Mencke, who had +arrived on the first train from Nice, but he brought no tidings of +Violet. + +"There will be no wedding to-day, even if she is found," he said, with a +stern, set face, "so let all preparations be stopped at once." + +Then without another word, he went out, mounted his horse, and rode away +toward the mountains. + +The wretched day passed, and evening shut down again upon the place, +where but one theme was thought of or talked about. Many believed that +the young girl had gone out for a walk in the early morning and had, +perhaps, fallen into some ravine among the mountains, or into the sea +and been drowned. + +There were only a few who thought otherwise, and these were Mr. and Mrs. +Mencke, Lord Cameron, and his mother. + +Mr. and Mrs. Mencke did not lisp their suspicions that Violet might have +fled from an uncongenial marriage to a suicide's fate; but Lord Cameron, +who remembered his last interview with his betrothed, had a terrible +fear that such might be the case; while Lady Cameron, having told him of +Violet's strange excitement and remarks of the evening previous, +suggested that she might have fled to escape wronging him and being +untrue to herself. + +"It may be so," the wretched young man said, "but oh, I fear she is +dead. I shall search for her until I am satisfied of either one thing or +the other." + +When Lord Cameron had said there would be no wedding, even if Violet +were found, Mrs. Mencke went away and shut herself in the room where +Violet was to have dressed for her bridal, and where, spread out before +her, were the lovely dress of white silk tulle, with its delicate +garnishings of lilies of the valley and white violets the beautiful +Brussels net vail, with its chaplet of the same flowers, the dainty +white satin boots, gloves, and handkerchief; and there she gave vent to +the rage, disappointment, and grief which she could no longer contain. + +It was the most wretched day of her whole life, and she afterward +confessed that there, for the first time, in the presence of these +voiceless accusers of her for her treachery and heartlessness toward the +young girl whom she should have tenderly cherished and shielded from all +unhappiness, her guilty conscience began to upbraid her, and remorse to +sting her with their relentless lashings. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +"SHE IS MY WIFE." + + +It was later in the season than people were in the habit of remaining at +Mentone; but the unusual attraction of a wedding in high life had +induced many to delay their departure and so a large number had tarried, +much to the gratification and profit of hotel proprietors and other +natives, only to be disappointed by missing the wedding, after all. + +Everything possible was done to obtain some clew to the missing girl, +but all to no purpose. Three weeks went by, and every one, save Lord +Cameron, had given up all hope of ever solving the sad mystery. He alone +still patiently kept up his search day by day. + +By the beginning of the fourth week, Mr. and Mrs. Mencke both agreed +that the girl must be dead, and announced their intention of leaving in +a few days for Switzerland. Mrs. Mencke was so confirmed in her opinion +that Violet was not living that she assumed mourning for her, and while +she remained in Mentone her deeply bordered handkerchiefs were never out +of her hands, and were frequently brought into ostentatious use. + +The day before the one set for their departure was intensely warm and +oppressive, and everybody was almost prostrated by the heat. + +Lady Cameron and Mrs. Mencke could only exist by lying, lightly clad, in +hammocks swung upon the north piazza of the hotel, while Mr. Mencke +idled away the hours as best he could, in the smoking and reading-room, +or in imbibing mint juleps. + +Lord Cameron, as was his invariable custom, had departed, in spite of +the heat, upon one of his long rides immediately after breakfast. His +quest for the girl whom he had so fondly loved was becoming almost a +mania. + +He had grown thin and pale; his appetite failed, until he seemed not to +eat sufficient to keep life in him. He was depressed, and absent-minded, +and so nervous and restless that his mother suffered the keenest anxiety +lest all this strain upon his mind and body should end in insanity! + +"Oh, what an interminable day this has seemed!" sighed Lady Cameron to +her companion, as, soft on the saltry stillness of the air, there came +to them the sound of a distant church clock striking the hour of six. "I +hope I may never pass another like it--I could neither read nor work, +while my thoughts and the dread of something--I know not what--have +nearly driven me wild." + +Mrs. Mencke shivered, in spite of the heat, at these words. She also had +felt as if she could never live through another twelve hours like the +past, and she believed if she could but once get away from the place +where she had suffered so much of disappointment and wretchedness, this +terrible oppression and weight would in a measure disappear. + +Tomorrow they would go, and she longed for tomorrow to come. During the +latter part of the afternoon she had simply lain still and watched the +lengthening shadows, which told that the sun was declining and evening +drawing on apace, and longed for night and slumber to lock her senses in +oblivion. + +"I believe the name of Mentone will always give me a chill after this," +she said, in a husky tone. + +"Hark! is not that the sound of a horse's hoofs?" cried Lady Cameron, +starting up to look down the road. "Yes, there comes Vane and--Mrs. +Mencke, he is riding at a break-neck pace! Can he--do you believe he has +any--news?" + +The woman was so overcome by the thought that the last word was uttered +in a whisper, while her eager eyes were intently fastened upon the +approaching horseman. + +Mrs. Mencke started to a sitting posture, and waited with breathless +interest for Lord Cameron to arrive. + +Nearer and nearer he came, and now they could see that his noble steed +was flecked with foam. + +Vane checked his headlong speed as he caught sight of the two figures +upon the piazza; but, as he entered the grounds of the hotel, both +ladies could see that his face was frightful in its ghastliness. +Instinctively they knew that he was the bearer of evil tidings. + +Arriving at the steps, he threw his bridle to a man who approached to +take his horse, then turned to enter the hotel. + +"Vane--you have--news!" his mother said, in an awe-stricken voice, as +she went forward to meet him. + +He glanced up at her, and the sympathy and love written on her gentle +face seemed to unman him for a moment. + +He staggered, reeled, and then caught at a post, while he put his hand +to his head and groaned aloud with anguish. + +"Tell me," gasped Mrs. Mencke, coming toward him, her own face now as +white as his, "have you heard anything of--Violet?" + +He nodded, but hid his face from the gaze of the two women, while a +shudder shook him from head to foot; then he said, in a hollow tone: + +"Yes--she is found." + +"Found!" repeated his startled hearers, in shrill, tense voices. "Where? +Alive?" + +He shook his head at that last word. + +"Dead!" whispered Mrs. Mencke, hoarsely. + +"Dead," said Lord Cameron, in an awful tone and with another groan. + +Then with a mighty effort he partially recovered his composure, made +them sit down, and told them as briefly as he could all about his +dreadful day. + +He had started out that morning determined to make one last vigorous +effort--to spare neither himself, his horse, nor his purse to gain some +clew; then, if he learned nothing of the fate of his lost love, he would +give up his search and go home to England with his mother. + +He followed the coast along the gulf, as he had done a dozen times +before, but intending to extend his search farther than he had yet done. +He rode many miles, until the heat became so intense that he was forced +to turn back without as yet having made any discovery. + +Suddenly, however, as he was nearing Mentone, he saw a group of +fishermen gathered around something which they had evidently just drawn +from the water at the foot of a cliff, along the edge of which the +highway ran. + +Approaching nearer, he saw what appeared to be a long black object, and +knew that it was contemplated with horror by the spectators, for the +men's faces were gray and awe-stricken. + +A nameless fear seized upon his own heart, and leaping from his horse, +he fastened him to a tree, and springing down the cliff with all the +speed he could force into his faltering feet, he saw, while a groan of +despair burst from him, that the object lying upon the beach was the +body of a woman. + +Such a horror he had never looked upon before--he hoped never to look +upon again. + +The woman was clad, not in black, as he had at first thought, but in a +dark gray suit trimmed with bands of blue silk. Upon the head was a grey +hat, also trimmed with blue, and having a gray wing among the folds of +velvet, and wound about this was a thick blue vail. + +"Violet?" moaned Mrs. Mencke, with a shiver, as Lord Cameron reached +this portion of his tale. + +"Yes, Violet, without any doubt," he answered, in a hollow voice, "for +the clothing all corresponded exactly with your description of what she +wore away; but otherwise she was past all recognition, excepting the +hair, which was golden like hers, though sadly matted and disheveled by +the action of the sea. What her object was in leaving the hotel we can +probably never know; perhaps it was simply a walk--I hope that was her +object," the young man said, something like a sob bursting from him; +"but she must have wandered too near the edge of the cliff, missed her +foothold, and fallen into the sea. The coast is very bold near +there--overhanging the water in many places, while the road runs very +near the edge of the cliff. It was a terrible fate for the poor child, +and the experiences of this day will haunt me as long as I live." + +It was a horrible story, gently as he tried to break it to them, and the +hearts of his listeners stood still with awe and misery. And yet, +dreadful as it was, they all felt that the certainty of knowing that +Violet was no more, did not equal the agonizing suspense which had +tortured them during the last four weeks. + +There was not much sleep for any of them that night, and Lord Cameron +looked as if he had just risen from a long illness when he appeared the +next morning. + +He was calmer, however, than on the previous evening, and went about his +sad duties with a sorrowful dignity which deeply impressed and touched +every one. + +Of course all thoughts of any of the party leaving Mentone for the next +few days were given up, for their loved dead must be cared for before +they could turn their faces northward. + +The authorities would not allow the body to be removed from the place; +but ordered that the young girl should be buried there without delay. + +After this was attended to, the few mourning friends, together with many +sympathizing residents of Mentone, gathered in the church, where the +grand wedding was to have taken place, and a simple memorial service was +observed, after which they all repaired to the spot where the +unfortunate girl had been laid to rest. + +Lord Cameron had chosen the spot, which was a little remote from other +graves in the place of burial and beneath a beautiful, wide-spreading +beech. The low mound had been covered with myrtle and a profusion of +choice flowers, the greensward was like velvet about it, and not far +away could be seen the deep blue sea which Violet had loved so much. + +Mrs. Mencke appeared to be greatly overcome as she visited this lonely +grave, and many glances of sympathy were bent upon her by those gathered +about; but they could not know of the guilty secret which lay so heavily +upon her conscience and caused remorse to outweigh whatever of natural +grief she might otherwise have experienced. She alone knew that she was +wholly responsible for all the sorrow and trouble which had thus +overtaken the fair girl in the very morning of her life. + +The next day they all spent in resting, for they had arranged to leave +Mentone the following morning. + +Lady Cameron and Mrs. Mencke remained in their rooms until evening, only +coming down to join the gentlemen after tea for a little while. + +They were gathered in a small private parlor, where each seemed to +strive to assume a cheerfulness which no one felt. + +Suddenly there came a sharp, imperative knock upon the door. + +Lord Cameron arose to open it, and found himself face to face with a +young man several years his junior, and who would have been regarded as +strikingly handsome but for the worn and haggard look upon his face, and +the wild, almost insane expression in his restless eyes. + +Vane bowed to him courteously, then inquired: + +"Can I do anything for you, sir? Whom do you wish to see?" + +"Lord Cameron, Earl of Sutherland," was the brief but stern reply. + +"I am he," the young man began, when his visitor unceremoniously pushed +his way into the room, closing the door behind him. + +At this act Wilhelm Mencke and his wife started to their feet, one with +a cry of surprise and dismay, the other with an oath of anger, while +both had grown deathly pale. + +"Pardon me, sir, but are you not somewhat brusque and uncourteous in +your demeanor?" Vane demanded, with some hauteur. "Who are you, and what +do you want?" + +"I want to meet the woman whom report says you are to marry or have +married. I want to meet her here and now, in your presence," was the +quick, passionate, quivering response. + +Lord Cameron shuddered and grew white to his lips at this imperative +demand, and wondered if the man was mad. + +"That is impossible," he said, in a husky voice. Then he added, in a +conciliatory tone, for something seemed to tell him that the man was in +great mental suffering, though he had not a suspicion of its cause: "But +pray explain why you make such a request. Who are you sir?" + +"My name is Wallace Hamilton Richardson," tersely returned the stranger. + +Vane Cameron recoiled as if the man had struck him a blow instead of +simply stating his name. + +He was so much overcome by the announcement that those observing him +feared he was upon the point of fainting, strong man though he was. + +"Wallace Richardson--from America?" he whispered, hoarsely. + +"Yes." + +"I--I thought you were dead! She believed you were dead!" the young lord +returned, with ashen lips. + +"Dead!" repeated Wallace, wonderingly, his hitherto inflexible face +softening a trifle. "Oh, say it again--does Violet really believe that I +am dead?" and the eager, quivering tones rang sharply through the room. + +"Yes, she believes so; it was so announced in one of the American +papers," Lord Cameron replied, with something more of composure, but +never losing that first look of horror. + +Like a flash Wallace wheeled about and faced Wilhelm Mencke and his +trembling wife. + +"Then that was some more of your miserable work!" he cried, in a +terrible voice, "a diabolical plot to separate us. From the first you +have left nothing undone to part us, and so, when all else failed, you +reported me dead, knowing well that she would never marry another while +she believed me to be living. Oh! I see it all now, and my love, my +love, I have wronged you!" he concluded, in a tone of anguish. + +When he had turned with such fiery denunciation upon them, Mrs. Mencke +shrank from him with such an expression of awe, fear, and guilt upon her +face, that she was instantly self-condemned; every one in the room was +as sure that she had caused that lying paragraph, announcing Wallace's +death, to be inserted in the paper to mislead Violet, as if she had +openly confessed it. + +"Did you do it--did you drive that poor child thus to promise to become +my wife?" demanded Lord Cameron, in a voice that was like the ominous +calm before a tempest. + +The woman was speechless; but her guilty eyes drooped beneath his stern +look, for she knew that her miserable secret was revealed. + +"You do not know what you have done," Wallace cried, growing wild again, +"but you will pay dearly for your treachery--ha! ha! you little dream +how dearly it will cost you, when the consequences of your wretched plot +shall be noised abroad from the aristocratic summit upon which you have +hitherto so proudly stood, and from which you will soon be ruthlessly +hurled." + +Wilhelm Mencke, having by this time begun to recover somewhat from the +shock of Wallace's unexpected appearance, commenced to bluster: + +"Look here, you young upstart," he cried, growing very red in the face, +and assuming a threatening attitude, "all these charges and accusations +may or may not be true--we won't discuss that point just now; but +whether it is or not, it can be no possible concern of yours. I should +like to know what you mean by bursting in upon respectable people in +this rude way. What was Violet to you?--what right or business have you +to interfere with whatever she might have chosen to do?" + +"The most sacred right in the world, sir, for--she is my wife!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +"I MUST FIND HER--I MUST FOLLOW HER." + + +This thrilling and unexpected announcement was electrical in its +results. + +Mrs. Mencke gave vent to a shriek of horror, and sank, weak and +trembling, upon a chair, while her husband gazed at the young man with a +look of blank astonishment and dismay; indeed, for the moment, he seemed +almost paralyzed by the astounding declaration, for if Violet was indeed +Wallace's wife, he and his wife had been criminally guilty in trying to +drive her into a marriage with Lord Cameron, and in view of what the +consequence might have been had they succeeded and Violet had lived, he +had every reason to feel appalled. + +Lady Cameron, also realizing all this, bowed her blanched face upon her +hands and sat quivering as if with ague. What a terrible fate had been +spared her son; but at what a fearful cost! + +Lord Cameron alone betrayed no surprise, made no comment, though he +still remained as colorless as when Wallace had first revealed his +identity; while he stood regarding the young man with a sad, pitying +look, for he saw that Wallace did not suspect what they yet had to tell +him--had not even noticed that they spoke of her in the past tense or +that Mrs. Mencke was clad in deep mourning. + +There was an oppressive silence in the room for the space of three or +four minutes then Wilhelm Mencke started forward, his phlegmatic nature +for once all aflame. + +"It is an infernal lie!" he cried, shaking his massive fist before +Wallace's face; "all an infernal lie, I tell you, made up for the +occasion, with the design, perhaps, of claiming her money. But you'll +find, my would-be smart young man, that you have tackled the wrong +parties this time." + +Wallace made no verbal reply to this coarse outbreak, but, quietly +slipping one hand within a breast-pocket, he drew forth a folded paper, +which he opened and held before the man. + +"Read," he said, briefly. + +With rapidly fading color, with eyes that grew round and wide, with +mingled conviction and dismay, Wilhelm Mencke read the marriage +certificate, which proved that Wallace Hamilton Richardson and Violet +Draper Huntington had been legally united, by a well-known clergyman of +Cincinnati, about three weeks previous to the sailing of the young girl +for Europe. + +The man knew it was the truth, and this conviction was plainly stamped +upon his face as he read; but he was so enraged by the fact, and also by +the secret fear that Wallace might make him some trouble pecuniarily, +that he lost control of his temper and reason. + +A coarse, angry oath escaped him, and then he cried out, as he grew +crimson with passion: + +"It is a ---- forgery, cleverly executed for the purpose of gaining his +own ends." + +Lord Cameron colored and drew himself up with dignity, while he +remarked, with marked displeasure: + +"Mr. Mencke, allow me to request you to refrain from profanity in the +presence of my mother." + +"Beg pardon, your lordship," said Mencke, looking somewhat abashed, "but +I am so upset by this blamed trick that I forgot myself entirely." + +"It is no trick, sir--it is the truth," quietly returned Vane Cameron. + +"What do you mean, Lord Cameron? How can you know anything about it?" +cried Mrs. Mencke, forgetting, for the moment, her weakness and +agitation in her surprise at his positive declaration. + +"Violet told me--she confided the fact of her marriage to me," he calmly +returned. + +"She told you," Wallace cried, his face lighting, his voice dropping to +a tender cadence, as he began to realize how true Violet had been to +him, in spite of her apparent faithlessness. + +"Yes, when I asked her to become my wife," replied his lordship; then he +added: "But sit down, Mr. Richardson, and let us freely discuss this +matter, so that you can clearly understand it." + +Vane rolled forward a comfortable chair for his visitor, a sad deference +in his manner, which betrayed how strongly his sympathies were enlisted +for the young man, who still had no suspicion of the sad news in store +for him. He then seated himself near him and proceeded to relate all +that had occurred in connection with his proposed marriage with Violet. + +He would not tell him at once that the ceremony had never taken place, +for Wallace was still greatly excited, and he felt that his news must be +all broken to him gradually, or he would be completely unnerved. + +"Evidently you have not learned that Miss Huntington was very ill for +several weeks in London," he began. + +"No," Wallace said, with a start. + +"Yes, she was very sick with brain fever. The attack was caused by +reading the notice of your death, and for a month her life was nearly +despaired of. When she began to recover, her physician recommended that +she be brought to Mentone for a change, and Mrs. Mencke acted +immediately upon his advice. Just previous to her illness I had confided +my feelings to Mrs. Mencke, and solicited her permission to address her +sister. It was freely given, but, of course, I could not avail myself of +it while Miss Huntington was so ill, and it was arranged--without her +knowledge, I have since learned--that I was to follow her hither when +she should have gained somewhat in strength. She had been here about a +month when I received word that I might come. A few days later I was +granted an interview, during which I confessed my affection and asked +her to become my wife. + +"She told me frankly at once that she did not love me well enough to +marry me, and then, with sudden impulse, asked if she might make a +confession--might open her whole heart to me. Of course this request was +readily granted, and then she told me of her love for you, Mr. +Richardson; how it had originated, and how, when"--bending a grave look +upon Mrs. Mencke as he said this--"sorely pressed and alarmed by the +fear of being sent away from home and deprived of her liberty, she had +begged you to advise her what to do, and you told her that the only +safe-guard that you could throw around her would be to make her your +wife----" + +"Yes," Wallace here interrupted, "Violet had been threatened with being +sent to a convent unless she would promise to cast me off. Such a fate +seemed to possess excessive terrors for her, and, being fully convinced +that nothing could change our affection for each other, I suggested that +we should be privately married, and then, if she was deprived of her +liberty, it would be in my power to aid her by claiming her as my wife." + +"Yes, that was what she told me in substance," said Lord Cameron. "She +stated that you were married, but that you did not propose to claim her, +because of the opposition of her friends, until a year or two should +elapse and you were in a better position to make a home for her; that +you advised her to travel and see all of the world that was possible, +while you pursued your profession. Then came your separation, and she +made no secret of the unhappiness that this caused her, or of her +absorbing affection for you, and she spoke of the intense anxiety that +she experienced because she received no letters from you after leaving +home." + +Surely Lord Cameron, with his usual noble self-abnegation, was doing all +in his power to soothe Wallace's wounded heart and prepare him for the +trial before him. + +"But I wrote twice every week for more than two months," Wallace here +interposed, "without receiving a single letter from her. This fact also +we doubtless owe to the sisterly interposition that has been so vigilant +and active regarding her welfare," he concluded, bitterly. + +"Her grief and despair over your supposed death," continued the young +earl, "was too deep for expression, and she said that life seemed hardly +worth the living. She told me that she dared not become my wife, feeling +thus; that her heart was dead, her dream of life was over, and she would +not wrong me by giving me the ashes of her love in return for the +devotion I offered her." + +Lord Cameron paused a moment here, as if the memory of that +never-to-be-forgotten interview was too much for him; but presently he +controlled himself, and went on: + +"I take upon myself all the blame for what followed," he said, "for I +still urged her to give herself to me. I knew she was not happy +here--that she was still weak from her illness and weary of travel, and +longed for rest and quiet. I told her I would be content if she would +but allow me to throw around her the protection of my name and love, and +let me take her, just as she was, into my heart and home. Her answer +was, 'I dare not, and yet----' That simple qualification made my heart +bound, for I accepted it as a sign of yielding. + +"'And yet you want to--you will?' I said, assuming that that was what +she meant, and as I clasped her hand to seal the compact, I saw that she +had fainted. Later her sister came to me and said that it was all +right--that Violet had said she would marry me. Of course I was elated, +for I believed that I should win her in time--that eventually she must +yield to my love and devotion, when her wounded heart should have a +chance to heal, and I was satisfied to take her thus, even though she +had frankly said she could never love me as a wife should love her +husband. Still, as time passed, I began to fear that she regretted her +promise, and during an interview with her, on the evening previous to +the day set for our marriage, I was deeply pained and troubled by her +manner and a certain wretchedness which she could not conceal. But I +reasoned that when the wedding was once over, and we were quietly +settled in our home, she would gradually grow content." + +Wallace had listened thus far with absorbing interest. At times when +Lord Cameron spoke of Violet's faithfulness to and love for him, of her +despairing grief over his supposed death, and her reluctance to become +the wife of another, his face would light up for an instant or grow +tender with love, as his emotions moved him; but gradually, as the +narrator drew near the end of his tale, he grew nervous and restless, +the tense lines of pain settled again about his mouth, his eyes grew +dark and moody in expression, while the spasmodic twitching of his +nerves could be plainly seen by every one in the room. + +"'When once the wedding was over,'" he interposed hoarsely, at this +point of the story; "that was--a month ago--to-day----" + +"Yes, that was the date set for the ceremony," Vane Cameron responded, +with a sinking heart, as he bent a pitying look upon the young and +terribly stricken husband. + +Bitter as his own grief and disappointment had been when he lost Violet, +they now seemed to dwindle into nothing in comparison with Wallace's +greater suffering and the terrible tidings which he yet had to reveal to +him. His heart sank with a sickening dread; no duty had ever seemed so +hard before. + +"I--I read a notice of it in a Cincinnati paper, and I started for +England at once----" Wallace began excitedly. + +"You started at once!" said Lord Cameron, surprised. "It was announced a +month previous." + +"I know--I know; but I did not get the paper for some time after," was +the agitated reply. "At the time Violet left for Europe I was called to +New York to consult with an architect about going into partnership with +him and accepting an important contract. The partnership was +consummated, the contract accepted, and I have been in New York ever +since. This was why I did not get the news earlier--it was a mere chance +that I got it at all. The paper stated that you were to start +immediately for your residence on the Isle of Wight, consequently I went +directly there, thus losing much more time. But--oh, I cannot stop for +all these details now," the young man cried, with a ghastly face, the +perspiration standing in great beads upon his brow, while he was +terribly excited. "Of course Violet is not your wife, even though ten +thousand ceremonies were performed over you. She is mine--mine! Oh, +Heaven! am I going mad? Where is she? Tell me--tell me! Why are you +still here? Why did you not go to the Isle of Wight? Why do you not +speak? Why do you keep me in such suspense?" + +It was dreadful to look upon him, and no pen could portray the anguish +that was written upon his countenance, that vibrated in his hoarse, +quivering tones. + +"We--did not go because--that marriage ceremony never took place," said +Lord Cameron, gravely, but inwardly quaking over what he must tell him +next. + +Wallace sprang to his feet, a thrilling cry of joy bursting from him. + +"Never took place!" he repeated, panting for breath. "Thank Heaven! +Violet, my love! you are still my own! Oh, say it again--say those +blessed words again!" + +"Be calm, I beseech you, Mr. Richardson," said Lord Cameron, pitifully, +while convulsive sobs broke from Lady Isabel; "do not allow yourself to +become so unnerved and you shall learn all. I told you, if you remember, +that Violet--nay, do not frown when I speak of her thus," the noble +young man gently interposed, as Wallace's brow grew dark, to hear that +loved named drop so familiarly from his lips, "for had I known the +truth, I would have scorned to wrong either of you by even a confession +of my love. But I told you that she appeared strangely during my last +interview with her. I offered her a caress--I tell you this," he +interposed, a crimson flush mounting to his brow, "that you may have all +the comfort possible in knowing how wholly her heart belonged to +you--and she shrank from me in pain, if not with absolute loathing. +Later on, during the same evening, my mother saw her for a few minutes, +and she made some remarks which seemed very strange at the time, but +which were readily comprehended later; for the next morning when her +sister went to her room, to help her prepare for her bridal, she was not +there. She had gone--left the house and the place, and no one knew +whither." + +A cry of mingled thankfulness and anxiety broke from Wallace at this, +and his sorely tried nerves, so long strung to their utmost tension, +gave way, and sob after sob burst from his overcharged heart as he sank +weakly back in his chair. + +It was a pitiful sight to see that brave, strong young man weep thus +over the discovery of the faithfulness of his loved one. + +It was almost more than Lord Cameron could bear and retain his +composure, while Lady Cameron wept unrestrainedly. + +Wilhelm Mencke and his wife sat stolidly by viewing this affecting +sight, one racked with feelings of mingled anger, guilt, and remorse, +the other uneasily considering the chances of trouble for himself +regarding the disposition of Violet's fortune. + +But Wallace soon mastered his emotion; he was not one to remain long +inactive when there was anything to be done. + +"My faithful, true-hearted little wife!" he murmured, as he dashed aside +his tears, new hope and courage already glowing on his face, "her love +and instinct were stronger than the force of circumstances. But," +starting again to his feet, "I must find her; I must follow her to the +ends of the earth, if need be, and when I do find her, as I surely +shall,"--with a stern glance at Mr. and Mrs. Mencke--"nothing save death +shall ever separate us again." + +A chill ran over every listener at these confident words, and an ominous +silence fell over the shrinking group. + +"Have you any idea whither she went? Has any one tried to follow her?" +Wallace asked, turning to Lord Cameron, and wondering why he should look +so ghastly; why Lady Cameron's sobs should have burst forth again with +renewed violence. + +"Every possible effort was made to find her; day after day we have +searched for her," began his lordship, falteringly. + +"And you have learned nothing--gained no clew?" impatiently demanded the +anxious young husband. + +"Nothing--until the day before yesterday." + +"Ah! then you have news at last!" cried Wallace, eagerly. "Tell +me!--tell me!--what have you learned?" + +"Heaven help me! how can I tell you?" exclaimed Lord Cameron, in an +agonized tone. Then with a great effort for self-control, he solemnly +added: "Mr. Richardson, be brave--Violet is dead!--drowned! we found her +two days ago. She doubtless missed her footing during her flight in the +night, and fell into the sea." + +But these last words fell upon unheeding ears, for when Lord Cameron +said that she was "dead"--"drowned"--Wallace had cast one horrified, +despairing look around upon those white, hopeless faces, and then, +without a word or cry, as if smitten by some mighty unseen power, he +fell forward on his face and lay like a log upon the floor, at Vane +Cameron's feet. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +LORD CAMERON AND WALLACE BECOME FIRM FRIENDS. + + +"Help me!" Vane Cameron commanded of Mr. Mencke, as he stooped to assist +the fallen man, his noble face full of pity and compassion for him. + +They lifted Wallace and laid him upon a lounge, where Vane, after +loosening his necktie and collar, strove to revive him by sprinkling his +face plentifully with cold water and chafing his hands vigorously. + +But Wallace showed no signs of recovering; he lay motionless, +breathless--like a man dead, and at last, becoming alarmed, Lord Cameron +sent a servant for the nearest physician. + +Upon his arrival, and after an examination of Wallace's condition, he +pronounced it to be an attack of coma produced by hemorrhage in the +brain, caused by excessive excitement and long continued anxiety of +mind. + +"It is a serious attack," he said, gravely, "but the poor fellow is +young and has a splendid physique; if he can hold out long enough--until +the clot is absorbed--he may recover. Is he a relative of milord?" + +"No, I never saw him until this evening," Vane answered, "but I want +everything possible done to save his life, and I will be responsible." + +The energetic little French doctor needed no better incentive than this, +for the wealth and generosity of the young English earl had been common +talk in the town ever since his arrival, and he threw himself into the +work of effecting Wallace's recovery with all his heart. Every luxury +that Vane could think of or the doctor suggest, was supplied for his +benefit and comfort. + +Mr. and Mrs. Mencke took a hasty leave the day following the disclosures +related in the foregoing chapter. + +Their treachery and unnatural harshness toward Violet had been unmasked, +and Lady Cameron and her son did not take any pains to conceal their +condemnation of such atrocious conduct; consequently Violet's sister and +her husband were anxious to escape from Mentone as quickly as possible. + +"You must go home also, mother," Vane said to Lady Isabel, after their +departure, "it will not do for you to remain longer in this enervating +climate." + +"And what of you, my son?" the fond mother questioned, anxiously. + +"I shall stay with him until he recovers, or at least until he is able +to be moved farther north," the young man quietly responded. + +"Vane----" + +"Do not oppose me, mother, please," he interrupted, "he is a stranger in +a strange country, with not a friend to minister to his need or comfort; +and, if I am not mistaken, he has only a scant supply of money." + +"But the nurse and physician can look after him, and the bills can all +be sent to you, if you wish," urged Lady Cameron. + +"The nurse and physician will both do their duty more faithfully if I am +here to watch them," Vane answered, inflexibly. "For her sake," he +added, in a low tone, and with white lips, "I shall do my utmost to +bring him back to health, while if, in spite of all, he dies, I shall +lay him by her side, and then take up the broken thread of my own life +as best I can." + +Lady Cameron stole to his side and wound her arms about his neck. + +"Vane," she murmured, while tears streamed over her cheeks, "my noble +boy! it is like you to do this and like the Master who said, 'I was a +stranger and ye took me in.' But it breaks my heart to hear you speak in +that hopeless tone. I know--I feel sure that the 'broken thread of your +life,' as you express it, will be joined again. I cannot contemplate +with resignation that you, with your noble character and grand +possibilities for doing good, should carry this unhealed wound to your +grave. But I shall not go home to leave you here," she added, +resolutely; "if you stay to care for this poor, suffering stranger, I +shall stay to look after you." + +"Mother, I cannot permit it," Vane began, but she interrupted him. + +"I am inexorable," she said, firmly. "You know that the warm weather is +not depressing to me, as to most people, and anxiety would prey upon me +more than the climate, so it will be useless to urge me further." + +Thus it was settled, and those two royal-hearted people remained for +another month in that deserted hotel, and devoted themselves to the care +of Wallace Richardson during his critical illness. + +He was very, very ill, but as the physician had said, possessed a +splendid constitution, and, after a fierce battle with disease, he began +slowly to recover--at least his physical health. + +But his mind seemed sadly clouded, a condition caused by the pressure of +a clot of blood upon his brain, the doctor said, and time alone would +show whether he would ever entirely regain the use of his mental +faculties; absorption was the only process by which it could be +achieved, and this might be slow or rapid, as his general health +improved. + +At the end of four weeks it was thought that he might safely be moved; +indeed, the physician advised it, thinking he would gain strength faster +in a more invigorating atmosphere, and Vane determined to convey him +directly to the Isle of Wight, whither he had intended taking Violet. + +It seemed almost like the mockery of fate that, instead of taking the +woman whom he had loved and hoped to make his wife to this beautiful +summer home, he should remove hither the man whom she had loved and +secretly married, to nurse him back to health. + +The change proved to be very beneficial, and Wallace began to gain +strength, both physically and mentally, almost immediately. + +Possibly the change in medical treatment had also something to do with +this improvement, for Lord Cameron placed him under the care of one of +the most skillful physicians of London, who happened to be summering on +the island. + +He did not appear to regard the case so seriously as the French doctor +had done. + +"He will be all right again in a couple of months," Doctor Harkness +said. "Give him plain, nourishing diet, plenty of moderate out-door +exercise, and keep his mind free from all exciting subjects." + +Time proved the truth of this prophecy; there was a steady improvement +in Wallace from the moment of his arrival upon the island, and twelve +weeks from the day of his attack he was pronounced a well man again. + +During his convalescence, as he came, little by little, to realize his +position, together with the kindness and care which had been thrown +around him during his illness, he tried to manifest his appreciation of +it. + +The first time he referred to the subject was one delightful afternoon, +when the two young men were sitting together upon the broad piazza of +Lord Cameron's elegant villa, which overlooked the sea. + +Vane had been reading to his companion an amusing story, which both had +seemed to enjoy thoroughly. When he finished it and closed his book +Wallace looked up and remarked, gratefully: + +"What a good friend you have been to me, Cameron! I hope you do not +think me unappreciative, but I have only just begun to have sense enough +to find it out." + +"I trust we are good friends," Vane answered, cordially but evading a +direct reply to his gratitude, "and that we shall continue to be such +throughout our lives." + +He had grown to admire the young architect exceedingly during the long +weeks that he had so patiently borne his weakness and enforced idleness; +while, as his mind gradually became stronger and clearer, he saw that he +was no ordinary person, that he possessed great ability--a strong +character, and unswerving principles of rectitude. + +"Thank you," Wallace answered, gratefully; "I hope so, too. But how am I +ever to repay you for your unexampled kindness? It is a problem beyond +my ability to solve." + +"By pledging the friendship I desire, and saying no more about the +obligation--if any there is," Vane replied, with a genial smile, and +holding out his hand to his companion. + +Wallace instantly laid his within it, and the two men thus sealed the +compact with a violent but heart-felt clasp. + +Later Wallace spoke of Violet for the first time since his illness, and +begged for more information regarding her sojourn at Mentone and the +circumstances of her flight, though he touched as lightly as possible +upon the revolting story of the discovery of the body upon the beach and +its burial; but he would not even hint his suspicion of suicide. + +The subject was a depressing one to both, and to change it Vane said, +after a long pause: + +"If you feel like it, would you mind coming with me into the library to +look over some plans that came from London to-day? I am about to erect a +school building for the children of my tenants, and also a home for aged +people and orphans. Perhaps, being an architect, you can make some +suggestions that will be useful to me." + +This was merely a ruse to divert Wallace's mind from the sad and +exciting train of thought into which he had fallen; but the young man +arose with alacrity at the mention of plans. He dearly loved his +profession, and was already beginning to be anxious to get into active +service again. + +He followed his friend to the library, where they found the plans spread +out upon a table, and both soon became deeply interested in discussing +them. + +Wallace was quick to discover that they were defective, and far from +being practical, in many respects. They were imposing, and looked well +on paper, but he knew that when completed the buildings would be very +disappointing in various ways. + +He modestly pointed out the defects, but in a way that betrayed he knew +his business thoroughly, and Lord Cameron, who would never have +discovered them until the buildings were completed, became disgusted +with the plans, and said at once that he should discard them entirely. + +"Nay, do not be too hasty in your condemnation. I am afraid I have been +too critical," Wallace said, regretfully. "With some changes, you might +still use them; but, if you will allow me, I will make you some +drawings, giving you my ideas regarding these buildings; then, perhaps, +you can combine the two sets, and get something more to your mind." + +"Do," said Lord Cameron, eagerly; "and if they prove to be what I want, +you shall have the price Mac Cumber is going to charge me for these--it +is no mean one, either." + +"The price!" exclaimed Wallace, flushing. "No, indeed! Do not mention +such a thing after all your bounty to me during these many weeks." + +"Ah, but that was on the score of friendship, you know," lightly +returned Vane. "That is all settled for. Remember your pledge. This will +be business." + +Wallace made no reply, but the settling of the firm lines about his +mouth plainly indicated that he meant to have his own way in this +matter. + +He went immediately to work, all his old enthusiasm awakening the moment +he took his pencil in his fingers. + +He was not yet strong enough mentally to apply himself very closely, +neither would Lord Cameron allow him to be imprudent; but by working a +few hours every day he made good progress, and at the end of a couple of +weeks laid before Lord Cameron two sets of plans which, for convenience, +beauty of design, and elegance of workmanship, far exceeded anything +that he had even seen. + +"You are a genius, Richardson!" he exclaimed, after he had thoroughly +examined them, and Wallace had explained everything. "You have utilized +every square foot of space, and that, too, without infringing in any way +upon the beauty and proportions. I shall use these plans, and Mac Cumber +would do well to come and take lesson of you." + +Wallace was of course very much pleased with this high praise, while he +was no less gratified when, the following week, Lord Cameron proposed +that they should take a trip to his estate, so that he might judge if +the proposed site for the new buildings were just what it should be, or +whether it could be improved upon by choosing some other. + +The next seven days were spent in Essex County, at the country seat of +the young Earl of Sutherland, and where Wallace was entertained as an +honored guest, while every day the bond of friendship between the two +men became more firmly cemented. + +The site proved all that could be desired, and Wallace assured his +friend that the buildings would make a very fine appearance upon it when +completed. + +After that Vane said that he must see some of the "lions of London," and +he took him up to his town house, where they spent two weeks very +enjoyably. + +It was now about the first of October, and Wallace, claiming that he was +now as well as ever, said that he must return to his business in New +York. + +Dr. Harkness was consulted, and expressed the opinion that he was able +to go, and, accordingly, the day of his departure was set for the fifth. + +"I am very loath to let you go," Vane said, regretfully, as, on the +evening before his departure, they sat together in his "bachelor nest," +as his smoking-room was called. + +"I shall regret the separation as much as you possibly can," Wallace +replied, gravely, "but I must go back to my work. I have but one object +in life now--my profession. I shall devote all my energies to it, and +try to forget my great loss in making a name for myself." + +"There can be no doubt that you will do that, with your talent," Lord +Cameron replied; then drawing an envelope from his pocket, he quietly +passed it to him. "Do not open it until you reach New York," he said, +with some embarrassment. + +"Forgive me if I do," Wallace said, cutting the end and drawing forth +the paper within it, for he was confident that he knew the nature of its +contents. + +He found a check on the Bank of England for a hundred pounds. + +"Cameron! I cannot take it," he said, flushing hotly. + +"I beg you will," said Vane, earnestly. + +"I should never respect myself again if I did," Wallace returned, with +emotion. "You are more than welcome to the plans, if this check was +intended as a remuneration for them, while I shall never cease to feel +that I owe you a debt which I can never repay for all your kindness to +my loved one, not to mention the vetoed subject of my obligations to +you." + +"But--have you funds sufficient for your needs?" Vane asked, flushing. + +"Yes, for all present needs," his companion answered. "I was paid five +thousand dollars for the injuries which I received in that accident I +told you of, and I took a letter of credit for a thousand when I came +abroad, so I have abundant means for my expenses to America." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE FACE AT THE WINDOW. + + +Lord Cameron admired Wallace's independence, yet while he saw he would +hurt him deeply by insisting upon his acceptance of the check, he could +not feel satisfied to accept as a gift the valuable plans which he had +executed for him. + +He therefore said no more about the money, but, before he slept, he +wrote several letters to prominent parties in New York, whom he knew, in +which he spoke with highest praise of Wallace's talents as an architect, +and solicited their influence and patronage for him in the future. + +"Perhaps these may prove to be of more advantage to you than the +contents of that other envelope which you rejected," he remarked, with a +smile, as he slipped a half dozen letters of introduction into his hands +just before they retired. + +"You are very thoughtful, Cameron," Wallace said, appreciatively; "and I +will thankfully make use of these." + +The fifth of October, the date of Wallace's departure, dawned a bright, +lovely morning. + +Lord Cameron had engaged to accompany him to Liverpool, determined to +delay their parting to the last moment, and dreading, more than he could +express, the return to his estate in Essex County, when he would begin +to realize something of the loneliness of his own situation. Wallace's +illness, and the care which he had been forced to give him, he now +realized had been a great blessing to him, for it had prevented, in a +measure, his brooding over his own troubles. + +Vane had made thoughtful provision for his friend's voyage, supplying +him with everything he could think of to make his passage comfortable +and pleasant, and the two men, after taking an affectionate leave of +Lady Isabel, who also had become very fond of Wallace, drove away to +catch the express for Liverpool. + +As they were passing through one of the busy thoroughfares of the city, +their progress was hindered for a few moments by a blockade of vehicles. + +While waiting for an opportunity to advance, another carriage, going in +the opposite direction, slowly passed them--for the stream of teams was +not blocked on the other side of the street--and when it was directly +opposite them the face of a woman looked forth from the window for an +instant, then the coach passed on, and she was lost to view. + +An agonized cry had burst from Wallace at that moment, and that, with +his fixed stare at the passing carriage, caused Lord Cameron also to +glance that way; but he only caught a fleeting glimpse of the outline of +a delicate face framed in golden hair, then it vanished beyond his +sight. + +"Violet!" gasped Wallace, with ashen lips, and trembling violently from +head to foot. "Did you see her? Oh, let me out, quick! quick! I must +find her!" + +He was terribly agitated and unnerved, almost frantic, in fact, and Lord +Cameron greatly feared another attack such as had previously prostrated +him. + +He reached out his hand, and pushed him firmly yet kindly back upon his +seat. + +"Be quiet, Richardson!" he said, with gentle authoritativeness. "It +could not have been Violet. It was but a delusion, a fancied +resemblance, or a trick of the imagination. Violet is dead. Did I not +see her with my own eyes? Did I not care for her, and lay her to rest +beneath the shade of that grand old beech?--while you yourself have seen +her grave." + +"Oh, but it--the face--was so like--so like!" murmured Wallace, still +fearfully overcome. + +"My friend," Vane continued, while he tried to control his own startled +nerves, "you must not allow yourself to be so unnerved by a fancied, or +even a real resemblance to the loved one whom you have lost. It is not +unlikely you may meet it again some time, but you must bear it bravely. +This great sorrow has been sent upon you, and you must meet it with +courage and resignation, as one who believes in God should meet the +trials which He sends upon you. There is work in the world for you to +do, or your life would not have been spared; take it up, carry it on to +its fulfillment, and do not ruin your health, your brain, your great +talent, by allowing the ghost of your lost happiness to haunt and weaken +you thus." + +The young man spoke gravely and very earnestly, but his own face was +almost as pallid as Wallace's and it was easy to see that he had been +deeply moved by what had occurred. It might even be that he was striving +to fortify his own sore heart and wounded spirit with the admonitions +that he was giving his friend. + +Wallace wiped the perspiration from his face, and strove manfully to +recover his self-possession; but it was no easy thing to do, and it was +long before he regained his natural color, or ceased to tremble visibly. + +"I know what you say must be true," he returned, when he could speak, +"and my common sense tells me that I was deceived--that the face could +not have been Violet's; and yet--if--I could follow and find the woman +who looks so much like her--who seemed to be her exact counterpart, I +believed it would comfort me--would help to ease this ceaseless aching, +this never-ending longing of my heart." + +"It would not," said Lord Cameron, positively; "it would but unsettle +you the more; and now that I come to think of it the more, that +face--though I caught but the merest glimpse of its outline--was thinner +and older than Violet's." + +He immediately changed the subject, and strove to divert the mind of his +friend from the painful incident, but while he endeavored to talk and +appear like himself, he was secretly greatly shaken by what had +occurred. + +Most of the journey to Liverpool was spent in discussing Lord Cameron's +plans regarding the school for the children of his tenants and the home +for aged people and orphans, and the young earl exacted a promise from +Wallace that, when the buildings were completed and ready for occupancy, +he would come again to England to be present at their dedication, and +pronounce his verdict upon them. + +"You will not need to be absent from your business more than three weeks +or a month," he said, "and I am sure you will have earned the right to +that much of a vacation by that time. However, I shall see you again +before then, since I do not intend to entirely desert the land of my +birth, even though my home must be in England, and every year I shall +make a short trip to America. I am not going to lose sight of my friend +either; remember, Richardson, we are pledged to each other for life." + +The hand which he extended with this remark was warmly grasped, and both +young men felt that their souls were "knit unto each other," in a bond +as strong and tender as that which had united David and Jonathan of old. + +The steamer was to sail at sundown, and the little time that intervened, +after their arrival in Liverpool, the two friends spent in looking over +the mammoth vessel. + +When at last the signal for departure sounded, they parted with a +lingering hand-clasp and a simple "God bless you;" but Lord Cameron, as +he journeyed back alone to his princely home, felt as if half the light +had suddenly gone out of his life. + +Wallace had a quick and comfortable passage, and, having cabled the time +of his departure, and the name of the steamer, found his partner +awaiting him at the pier upon his arrival in New York. + +He greeted him with great warmth, which had in it an undertone of +genuine sympathy for his troubles, and then informed him that he had +just secured a contract for a sixty-thousand-dollar building; remarking, +too, that he hoped Wallace felt in the spirit for work, as they would +have their hands full during the coming year. + +"Work will be the mainspring of my life after this," Wallace briefly +returned, but he appeared gratified with the encouraging report of +business which his partner had given him. + +He threw himself heart and soul into his profession from that day. He +worked at his office from morning until evening, when not out upon +duties of inspection, and for hours in his own room at night; worked to +keep his mind from dwelling upon his great sorrow, and until he was so +weary in body that sleep came to him, unbidden, as soon as his head +touched his pillow. + +He took the earliest opportunity possible to present his letters of +introduction to the parties whom Lord Cameron had addressed in his +behalf. + +These recommendations proved to be worth a great deal to him, for to be +the valued friend of an English earl and a man of genius as well, were +facts calculated to give him prestige with even the most conservative, +and business flowed in upon the firm of Harlow & Richardson in such a +continuous stream that they bade fair to have more work than they could +handle. + +At the close of the first year, after Wallace's return, they found they +had cleared twenty thousand dollars, while they had contracts ahead for +another twelve months, besides applications that were constantly coming +in. + +Wallace had never been in better health than during this time. He loved +his work and forgot himself in it, and was fast winning a name and fame +that promised to place him, not far in the future, at the head of his +profession; while already rumors of his success had somehow been set +afloat in his old home in Cincinnati, and people there were beginning to +talk of that "promising young Richardson" whom they had once known only +as an humble carpenter. + +He had acquired also during this year both strength of character and +dignity of bearing, and was a grand looking young man. + +He went, now and then, into society, for Mr. Harlow, who was some years +his senior, had a delightful home and a lovely wife, and they insisted +upon his visiting them occasionally. In this way he met many agreeable +people, who, in their turn, solicited his presence in their homes. + +But society had comparatively few attractions for him, even though +several ambitious mothers smiled encouragingly upon the rising young +architect, and many fair, bright-eyed damsels shot alluring glances at +him. + +But he had no heart to offer any one, and met all these advances with +quiet but dignified courtesy. + +He heard regularly from Lord Cameron, who was throwing all his energies +toward pushing his benevolent schemes to completion, and the buildings +which Wallace had planned would, he wrote, be finished and ready for +occupancy by another spring. + +He had intended to visit America before this, his last letter said, but +the press of business and the delicate state of his mother's health had +thus far prevented; he hoped, however, before many weeks should pass to +tread again the familiar streets of New York. + +He also stated that he had met Mr. and Mrs. Mencke once during the past +year. It was during the London season, and he and his mother had run +across them at a brilliant reception--a circumstance that surprised him +somewhat, as he did not suppose they would go into society so soon after +the death of their sister. + +The meeting had occurred in this way. + +After making an extended tour of the Alps, Mr. and Mrs. Mencke had +returned to London, to meet Mrs. Hawley, who was to spend a few weeks +there and then go on to Milan, to remain for the winter with Nellie +Bailey, who had concluded to devote another year to her beloved music +before returning to America. + +Mrs. Hawley was a woman who dearly loved society, and always had a long +list of engagements--one who had it in her power to be so charming could +not fail to be a welcome guest wherever she went--consequently, it was +perfectly natural that she should wish her friend to participate in her +enjoyment. + +Mrs. Mencke at first faintly demurred upon the ground of being in +mourning, but Mrs. Hawley, who did not believe in mourning anyway, +easily overruled her scruples. + +"What is the harm?" she questioned. "You cannot do Violet any good by +secluding yourself, and no one here knows you well enough to gossip +about you. It would be different, perhaps, if you were at home, where +people have known you all your life." + +So Mrs. Mencke, who liked gay life as well as any one, smothered her +conscience, and, never doing things by halves, went everywhere. + +It was at a reception given by the American Consul that she met Lord +Cameron and his mother, Lady Isabel having been an intimate friend of +the gentleman's family when her home was in New York. + +Mrs. Mencke, ignoring entirely the barriers that had arisen between them +at Mentone, appeared delighted to meet her "dear friends," but the +greetings upon their part were decidedly cool, while Lady Cameron looked +the reproaches she could not utter at Mrs. Mencke's gay manner and +attire, and uttered a sigh of regret that the gentle girl, whom she had +begun to love as a daughter, should so soon have been forgotten by her +only relative. + +"Are you in London for any length of time, Lady Cameron?" Mrs. Mencke +inquired, secretly hoping that she might get an invitation to visit her +at her town-house. + +"Only for a week or two longer, as my son's affairs call him to his +estate in Essex," was the somewhat formal reply. + +"Indeed! and have you been in town long?" + +"About a month." + +"Really? I wonder that we have not met before, then," Mrs. Mencke +remarked, with some surprise. + +"It is not strange," said Lady Cameron, with a sigh, "for my son and I +are still too sad to care to go much into company, and we should not +have been here this evening but for a special request of your consul, +who is an old and valued friend." + +Mrs. Mencke colored vividly at this reply, and began to make excuses for +her own presence there; but Lady Cameron, with a disapproving glance +over her elegant and showy costume, only bowed with reserved courtesy in +reply, and then, as Lord Cameron accosted an acquaintance who was +approached, she excused herself and turned to greet her friend, leaving +Mrs. Mencke boiling with rage over their distant reception, and bitterly +disappointed at not having secured an invitation even to call upon them. + +She felt humiliated as well as angry, and too wrought up to longer enjoy +the gayeties of the evening, she retired at an early hour from the +reception. + +The unhappy woman had other causes, aside from the failure of her +matrimonial schemes and the contempt of the Camerons, for anxiety and +unhappiness. + +Her husband, during the last few months, while visiting various resorts, +had developed an alarming taste for gambling, and had, to her knowledge, +lost large sums of money; while he seemed perfectly reckless in his +expenditure, and she felt sure, though she did not yet dream the worst, +that their own as well as Violet's fortune was fast melting away. + +Deep and frequent potations at the cup, too, were showing their effect +upon him; he was growing more gross and coarse, and his temper suffered +in proportion with the continuous nervous excitement under which he was +laboring. + +All this must have an end sooner or later, she knew, but she was not +prepared to have it come so soon as it did. + +Four weeks after her meeting with the Camerons the man returned to her, +late one night, from a terrible orgie. His face was bloated and crimson +from drink; his eyes wild and blood-shot, his hair disheveled, and his +clothing soiled and disordered. + +Coming rudely into his wife's presence, he cried out with a shocking +oath: + +"It's all gone!--hic--every--dollar we had in the world, and, Belle, +we're--hic--beggars!" + +"What do you mean, Will?" his wife demanded, with a sinking heart and +white face. + +"Are you deaf?" he bawled, with another oath. "We're--hic--beggars, I +tell--hic--you. I've just--hic--rattled away the hic--last dollar." + +There was a scene then, as might be expected, for Mrs. Mencke was not a +woman to tamely submit to such wrong and abuse, and the thought that the +whole of her own, as well as Violet's fortune, had been squandered at +the gaming-table and the race-track was more than she could bear. She +could talk as few women can talk, and when she had ceased her +denunciations, Wilhelm Mencke was completely sobered, and sat pale and +sullen and cowed before her. + +She did not realize how exceedingly bitter and stinging her +denunciations were until the next morning, when, upon rising, she found +the jewel-box, in which she kept the jewelry which she commonly wore +(her diamonds and more valuable gems being locked in a trunk, +fortunately) together with all that Violet had possessed, was rifled of +its contents and her husband gone, together with his traveling-bag and a +change of clothes. + +The desertion of her husband was the most humiliating of all her +troubles; but her proud spirit would not yield to even this blow. She +calmly stated that her husband had been suddenly called home and that +she was to follow him by the next steamer. + +Fortunately she had considerable money with her, and she settled every +bill with a grave front, and finally took her departure from the hotel +with as much pomp and state as she had maintained throughout her sojourn +there. + +A week from the day of her husband's flight she was crossing the +Atlantic alone, and immediately upon reaching New York proceeded to +Cincinnati in the hope of saving something by the sale of her house and +furniture. The house had already been disposed of, though she learned +that not much had been realized on it, for it had been heavily mortgaged +and the sale was a forced one. + +This fact told her that her husband was in America, although no one had +seen him, for the sale had been made through an agent, and she tried to +feel thankful that he had had the grace to leave her the furniture. This +she turned into money, but it did not bring her a third of its real +value, for she was forced to sacrifice it at auction. + +Where now was the proud woman's boasted wealth and position? Where now +her vaunted superiority over the "low-born carpenter" because of his +poverty? + +Gone! for she had not--aside from some valuable jewels and clothing--a +thousand dollars in the world, while she had the exceeding mortification +of realizing the stern fact that she would be obliged to seek some +employment in order to live honestly. + +It was the bitterest drop in her already bitter cup, and too proud to +remain in the city where she had hitherto been a leader in society, she +suddenly disappeared from the place and no one knew whither she had +gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE. + + +It was on the fourteenth of May, nearly a year and a half previous to +the sudden downfall and disappearance of Wilhelm Mencke and his wife, +that a curious incident occurred which has an important bearing upon our +story. + +At the foot of one of the mountains which skirt the Gulf of Genoa just a +few miles east of the line which separate France and Italy, there stood +at that time the dwelling of a well-to-do Italian peasant. + +That the man was above the majority of his class, his neat homestead, +his thrifty fields and vineyards, and the general air of comfort which +pervaded his dwelling plainly betokened. + +But he was a stern, harsh man, bestowing little affection upon his +family, yet exacting unquestioning obedience and diligent toil from +every member, to help him maintain the thrift for which he was noted and +to fill his pockets with money. + +On a dark and starless night, long after Tasso Simone and most of his +family were wrapped in slumber, the door of his dwelling was softly +opened, whereupon a slight, girlish figure stole forth and sped +noiselessly across the vineyard of olive trees, toward the highway which +skirted the gulf. + +Upon reaching the road, the flying fugitive moderated her pace, but +walked on with a firm, elastic step toward Mentone, which was the +nearest town over the French line. + +For an hour she walked steadily on, appearing to be perfectly familiar +with the way, even in that intense darkness, until finally she paused +before a low, rude building, or shed, which had been constructed out of +rough boards to protect fishermen from the hot rays of the sun, while +cleaning their fish for market. + +She sat down to rest just outside upon a rude bench, which she seemed to +know was there, and opening a parcel which she carried in her hands, she +began to eat of its contents. + +Suddenly she paused and listened, for a slight movement behind her, +within the shed, had attracted her attention. + +A sigh that was almost a moan had greeted her ears. + +She did not move for several moments, but waited for the sound to be +repeated. + +Soon she heard it again; a long-drawn, sobbing sigh like some one deeply +grieved or in distress. + +The girl arose, and, without a trace of fear in her manner, made her way +within the shed, showing by her quick, decisive movements that she was +as familiar with the ground as with her own home. + +Here she struck a match and lighted a piece of candle, which she took +from her pocket, when she saw, with evident amazement, a beautiful girl +lying asleep upon a shawl which had been spread over a pile of seaweed +in one corner of the place. + +The light also revealed the fugitive, whom we have followed thus far, to +be a slight, graceful form, straight as an arrow, and having a wiry +energy and resolution in her every movement which betrayed unusual +self-reliance in one so young. + +She was very light in complexion, having yellow hair, black eyes, and +bright, rosy cheeks, a somewhat unusual combination in one who was a +native of that Southern clime. + +She was dressed in the costume of the country, and with a neatness and +trimness that made her seem almost dainty in the homely dress, while on +her head she wore a large, coarse straw hat, over which a bright +handkerchief had been thrown, and was tied under her pretty, rounded +chin. + +She softly approached and leaned over the sleeper, astonishment depicted +upon every feature of her young face; and well she might look surprised, +for the lovely girl who lay upon that wretched bed of sea-weed was +richly and tastefully clad, and bespoke the petted child of luxury and +fortune. + +She knelt beside her, and, laying her hand lightly upon her shoulder, +said, in low, musical Italian: + +"Wake, signorina." + +The touch aroused the fair sleeper, and she started up affrighted; but, +upon seeing the kindly face of a young girl about her own age bending +above her, her expression of terror changed to one equally surprised +with that of her companion. + +"Why is the signorina sleeping here in this miserable place?" the +peasant girl asked. + +But her companion could not understand or speak Italian, and shook her +head, intimating that she did not know what she had said. + +To her surprise the girl then addressed her in broken French, repeating +her question, and then the fair stranger, appearing to think it best to +confide in her, answered, though with some embarrassment: + +"I am in great trouble, and I am running away from it. I have walked a +long distance, but became so weak and faint I could go no farther, and +stumbled in here to rest, and must have fallen asleep from weariness." + +A look of pity and sympathy swept over the peasant girl's face. + +"Mademoiselle is hungry, perhaps?" she remarked. + +"Yes; I had no supper. I could not eat and am faint. I have been ill and +am far from strong." + +The girl stuck her candle upon a rock and then, going outside the shed, +brought in her own lunch which she had left lying upon the bench. It +consisted of some coarse bread and cheese, some cakes fried in olive +oil, with a few dried figs, and all wrapped in a clean linen cloth. + +"Eat, mademoiselle," she said, as she placed it upon her companion's +lap. + +The beautiful stranger seized a fig and quickly disposed of it with +evident relish; then she suddenly paused and asked: + +"But do you not need this yourself? I must not rob you." + +The girl shrugged her shoulders, and shook her head. + +"Eat, signorina, eat," she said, mixing her French and Italian; and the +other, without waiting to be urged further, and apparently ravenously +hungry, quickly disposed of everything save the cheese. + +"You are very good," she said, gratefully, when the last fig was eaten. +"I thank you very much." Then with sudden curiosity, she inquired: "But +how do you also happen to be abroad alone at this hour of the night?" + +Again the peasant girl shrugged her shoulders, and a dark look of +passion swept over her face. + +"I, too, am running away," she said. "I do not like my home; I have a +step-father; he is cruel, harsh, and wants to marry me to a man I do not +love." + +"How strange," murmured her companion, a look of wonder coming into her +beautiful eyes, while an expression of sympathy crept over her lovely +face. + +"My father owes him for a fine pair of mules, just bought," the girl +resumed, a look of scorn gleaming in here eyes, "and Beppo will call the +debt square if I marry him. I will not be exchanged for brutes--I will +not be sold like a slave, and to one I hate and loathe, and I fly from +him," she concluded, indignantly, the rich blood mounting to her +forehead. + +"Where are you going?" questioned the other, eagerly. + +"To Monaco, to find service in some family, as maid or nurse, until I +can earn money to go to some school to learn to study," was the earnest +reply. + +"You are not an Italian?" the fair stranger said, inquiringly. + +The girl shook her head, a sneer curling her red lips. + +Evidently to be an Italian was not very desirable in her estimation. + +"My mother is Swiss, my own father was French," she briefly answered. + +"Ah! that is how you happen to be so light and to speak the French +language. Will you tell me your name?" + +"You will not betray me? You will not set them on my track, if I tell +you?" said the peasant girl, apparently longing to confide in the +beautiful maiden, but secretly questioning the wisdom of so doing. + +"Surely not. Am I not flying from trouble also? Besides, I am going to +another country," was the reassuring reply. + +"I am Lisette Vermilet," the girl then said. "I am eighteen years old. I +have worked from sunrise till sunset every day for seven long years, in +the field, in the vineyard, or the dairy, ever since my poor, foolish +mother married her tyrant husband. I do it no more. I take care of +myself and be no man's slave, and I marry whom I will, when the right +one and the right time come. But first," she continued, eagerly, her +face lightning with intense longing, "I study; I learn about the world +and other things, like some lovely French girls I saw at Mentone last +year, who told me all about the flowers, the birds, the earth, and the +sea. Oh! I weep when I think of how much there is to know, and I have +lost it all--all!" and her voice grew tremulous with repressed feeling +as she concluded. + +"Poor child! you surely ought to have an education if you want it so +much," said her sympathetic listener, in a kindly tone, while she +regarded the girl's eager face almost affectionately. "But are you not +afraid that your cruel step-father will go after you and bring you +back?" + +"Tasso Simone would beat me black and blue if he should catch me," she +said, with a shiver, as if she recalled some experience of the kind. +"Ah! if I had but a disguise he would not know me--I get away better." + +A bright idea seemed suddenly to strike her companion, for her face +lighted eagerly. + +"Let us exchange clothing," she exclaimed, "then no one will recognize +either of us." + +"Ah! but the signorina has such beautiful clothes, while mine are so +poor," sighed Lisette, in a deprecatory tone, but with a wistful glance +over the daintily made traveling suit, at the tasteful hat, and +expensive boots which her companion wore. + +"Never mind; yours are neat and whole, and no one would ever think of +looking for me in them, while you will be much more likely to succeed in +eluding your cruel father in mine," the young stranger persisted. + +"The signorina is very kind," Lisette said, gratefully, as, with an +impulsive movement, she bent forward and kissed the fair white hand that +lay within her reach, while it seemed to her simple heart that she +should feel like a princess in that lovely dark-grey cloth dress, with +its daintily stitched bands of blue silk. + +Alas! she did not dream that it was to become her shroud. + +Yes, as has doubtless been surmised, it was Violet whom Lisette Vermilet +had found lying asleep upon the pile of sea-weed in the fisherman's +shed. + +After refusing to admit her sister to her room on the night previous to +the day appointed for her wedding, she had continued her occupation of +writing for some time. When she was through she read over what she had +written, and then deliberately tore it into atoms. + +"No, I will not tell them anything," she muttered, with a frown; "I will +just go and leave no trace behind me. It may seem unkind to Lord +Cameron, but some time I will explain it all." + +She then arose and dressed herself in her traveling suit, tied a +dark-blue vail about her face, and brought a thick shawl from her +closet. She then began to lay out a change of clothing and her toilet +articles, but suddenly stopped in the midst of her work. + +"No, I will not burden myself with anything," she murmured, +thoughtfully. "I am not strong, and I need all the strength I have to +get myself away; besides, I can easily buy what I need in any town." + +She hastily drew on her gloves, without observing that the rings, which +she usually wore and which she prized very highly, were still lying upon +her cushion where she had left them before taking her bath. She did not +even think to take her watch, which she sadly missed and regretted +afterward; her only thought was to get away as quickly as possible from +all danger of violating her conscience and of wronging a noble and +generous man. + +She then put out her light and sat alone in the darkness, waiting for +the house to become quiet so that she could steal forth unobserved. + +Two hours passed, all in the house seemed to be at rest, and she +noiselessly crept out of a window upon the piazza, made her way swiftly +around the house to where a flight of stairs led to the ground, and then +sped away in the darkness, with no definite idea whither she was going. + +She took the highway leading away from Mentone, because she dreaded lest +some one should meet and accost her in the town. She had a dim idea that +if she could get to San Remo, which was about twelve miles east of +Mentone, she could take a train going north without being discovered, +and accordingly she bent her footsteps in this direction. + +Her way led along the cliffs overhanging the sea, before mentioned, and +how she, to whom the way was entirely strange, should have escaped the +fate which every one afterward supposed to have been hers was wondered. +But escape it she did, and after safely passing this perilous point she +descended the hill, and then the road closely followed the beach for +some distance. + +Here she came upon the rude hut, or shelter, which has been described, +and being foot-sore and weary with her long walk, she spread her shawl +upon a mass of sea-weed which she found in one corner, and throwing +herself upon it soon fell into a profound slumber, from which she was +awakened by the light touch of Lisette Vermilet. + +With this brief explanation of Violet's flight, we will return to the +two girls who were discussing a change of apparel. + +Violet was much strengthened by the food which she had eaten and greatly +refreshed by her nap, while she was encouraged by the presence of the +young girl, who was also, strangely enough, flying from a fate similar +to her own. + +She overcame the scruples of Lisette, and insisting upon the plan she +had proposed, the two girls, under cover of that rude shed, made the +exchange, Violet declaring that every article be transferred in order to +make the disguise more complete. She only reserved her shawl, as, in +traveling, she knew she would need it. + +"Now," she said, when their task was completed, "can you tell me the +best way to get north. I am going to England, and from there to America, +and I want to get away from this region as soon as possible." + +"Mademoiselle would do well to come with me to Mentone and take a train +from there," Lisette replied. + +"Oh, I could not do that," Violet cried. "I have just come from Mentone, +and would not go back there for anything." + +It will be observed that she had refrained from saying much about +herself thus far, for she did not wish even this simple girl to know the +circumstances which had caused her flight. + +Lisette thought a minute, then she told her to go on to a village about +a mile distant, where, in a couple of hours, a train would make a brief +stop at a crossing. + +This, she said, would bear her back in the same direction she had come, +but she could go on to Nice, where she could take an express direct for +Paris. + +Violet, much as she dreaded passing through Mentone again, saw that this +would be the wisest course to pursue, and decided that she would follow +the girl's advice. + +"You will not betray that you have met me, if any one should question +you, and you will keep out of sight of people in Mentone as much as +possible," Violet pleaded. + +"Surely I will not betray you, signorina, and I will not show myself by +daylight in Mentone," Lisette said, earnestly, "and you will get away +without any trouble, for a peasant girl can go about alone in this +country where an English lady could not. Take courage, signorina; +nothing will harm you, and may the Holy Virgin go with you." + +"I feel anxious about your passing through Mentone," Violet said. "If +you should be seen there tomorrow you would surely be stopped, for my +clothing would instantly be recognized by those who will search for me; +they would compel you to tell where and how you met me, and then they +would telegraph ahead and have me stopped." + +"Do not fear, signorina," Lisette responded. "I shall pass through +Mentone before light, for I am a rapid walker. I go straight to Monaco, +and seek service in some French family going to Paris." + +Violet looked relieved at this. + +"Have you money?" she asked. + +"I have forty francs, signorina. I have saved for eighteen months every +sou I could get." + +Eighteen months saving eight dollars! + +Violet regarded the girl with sorrowful astonishment. + +"That is very little; let me give you some more," she cried, and eagerly +opening her well-filled purse, counted out some gold-pieces amounting to +fifty francs more. + +"No, signorina, not a sou," Lisette returned, firmly, as she waved back +Violet's extended hand. "My heart is heavy now with all you have done +for me--giving me these beautiful clothes in exchange for a poor +peasant's dress. I cannot take your money." + +"Please," persisted Violet. "I have plenty, and can easily spare you +this." + +But the girl made a proud gesture of dissent. + +"The signorina must go; and I must get on also," she said, gravely. +"Keep to the straight road until you come to the track in the village. +You can get no ticket, but the guard will charge you a couple of francs +for your fare. Adieu, signorina." + +She was about turning away, when Violet stopped her. + +"Lisette," she said, holding out her hand, "good-by. You have been very +kind to me, and I shall always remember you kindly. I hope we shall meet +again some time." + +Tears were in Lisette's eyes as she responded in a similar strain, and +then led Violet from the shed. + +"That way, go; adieu!" she said, pointing eastward; then raising the +hand she held, she pressed her lips impulsively to it and dropped it. + +With a softly breathed farewell in response, Violet turned and walked +quickly away, while Lisette went back into the shed, put out her candle +and threw the end away, after which she turned in the opposite direction +and began to climb the steep hills or cliffs, along which the highway +led toward Mentone. + +Violet went on her way in the darkness, her heart beating rapidly with +fear lest she should encounter some rude fisherman or peasant who would +stop and question her. + +She was foot-sore and weary long before she came in sight of the +village, for a mile was a long distance to her unaccustomed muscles, +while Lisette's heavy shoes hurt her tender feet sorely. + +But, guided by the lights along the railroad track, she found her way to +the crossing the girl had told, her about, and, sinking down upon a pile +of sleepers by the road-bed, she uttered a sigh of relief that she had +reached the end of her long walk. + +She did not have a great while to wait, for presently the cars came +thundering along, and soon she was on the train for Nice, whence she +took an express for Paris. Now she felt safe from pursuit, as she was +being whirled northward at the rate of forty miles an hour. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +VIOLET RETURNS TO AMERICA. + + +Meanwhile the kind-hearted peasant girl, Lisette, feeling as if she had +suddenly been changed into another being by some good fairy--and she +certainly looked like a different person, clad as she was like a +lady--was walking at a swinging pace toward Mentone, and--her doom. + +She intended to walk until the day began to dawn, and then beg a ride to +Monaco in one of the market-carts which made daily trips from the +country to that city. + +It was still very dark, and the road, which lay up a steep hill, was +very narrow, and ran dangerously near the cliffs which overhung the sea. + +The girl had worked very hard the previous day, while she had slept none +that night, for she had been too much excited, over the thought of +leaving her home, to rest, and she now began to experience a feeling of +weariness and languor stealing over her. It was the reaction coming on, +while added to that was a feeling of dread and loneliness over the +uncertainty of the future. + +More than this, she found the boots, which Violet had insisted must go +with the rest of her costume, were too tight to be comfortable, and this +greatly impeded her progress. + +She climbed to the top of the cliffs and there sat down by the road-side +upon a huge bowlder, where she had rested many a time before, to recover +herself a little before going on. + +The stone was an irregular one, with a projection which formed a support +for her back, and leaning against this, she was overcome by weariness +before she knew it and fell into a sound sleep. + +It did not seem as if ten minutes had elapsed since she sat down, though +in reality it was more than half an hour when the sound of a galloping +horse aroused her. + +She started to her feet, a cry of terror and dismay breaking from her. +It was still so dark that she could see nothing any distance away, but +the sound of that swiftly advancing horse made her heart beat with +fearful throbs. + +Was it some pursuer coming in search of her? + +Had her flight been discovered at home, and was her tyrannical +step-father coming to force her back into wearisome servitude? or, worse +yet, to sell her to another man equally brutal and unkind? + +She started to flee, but, not being able to clearly distinguish the +road, while she was sadly bewildered by having been so suddenly aroused +from her sleep, she turned in the wrong direction and made straight for +the edge of the cliff. + +It was very strange--as familiar as she was with every inch of the +ground between her home and Mentone--that she could have become so +confused and lost as to her location, and it was only when she caught +the ominous sound of the washing of the waves against the rocks below +that she became conscious of her danger. + +But she was rushing at such headlong speed she could not save herself; a +low shuddering cry of terror burst from her lips as she suddenly lost +her balance; there was a short interval of silence, followed by a heavy +splash in the waters below, then the waves closed over the unfortunate +girl, and the ocean held the secret of her fate, as well as of Violet's +mysterious disappearance. + +The cliff was very high at that point, and projected considerably over +the sea, which was very deep just there. + +The girl sank at once to the bottom, and her clothing probably becoming +entangled among the rocks, her body was held there for some weeks, and +only disturbed and washed far below to the point where the fishermen had +found it after a storm of considerable violence. + +It was, of course, unrecognizable, but every article which she wore +tended to prove that she was Vane Cameron's lost bride-elect. As such he +claimed her, without a doubt as to her identity, and, as we already +know, laid her to rest beneath the shadow of the venerable beech in one +corner of the church-yard at Mentone. + +Lisette's parents never once suspected what her fate had been. + +Upon discovering that she had fled, her iron-hearted master had started +in search of her, vowing that she should pay dearly for daring to run +away from him, and the future that he had planned for her. + +He learned that a peasant girl, answering to her description, had +boarded the westward-bound train at the village, in the early morning, +and had left it again at Nice. + +He hastened hither at once, and was told that such a girl had been seen +in the waiting-room of the station; but further than that he could get +no trace of her, and was finally obliged to return to his home, where, +upon the other members of his family, he vented his disappointment and +anger over the loss of such valuable help. + +The mother, who was far superior to her husband in every way, grieved +long and bitterly over the loss of her first-born, but it was many +months before she learned the truth regarding her untimely end. + + * * * * * * + +Violet's journey to Paris was accomplished with very little weariness +and nothing of incident. Her first business upon reaching the French +metropolis was to go to a lady's furnishing house, where she purchased a +simple but comfortable outfit, after which she proceeded to a +respectable _pension_, which she had heard highly recommended by some +Americans whom she had met in London. + +It was fortunate that she had a liberal supply of money in her +possession. She had never been stinted, for it was supposed that she was +the heir to a large fortune, and a certain income was paid to her +quarterly. Since she had been joined by her sister and her husband she +had not had occasion to use much money, as Mr. Mencke had settled all +her bills, and she had several hundred dollars in her possession at the +time of her flight. + +This fact, together with the discovery that she could find a very safe +and pleasant home for a time in the _pension_, where she was stopping, +somewhat changed her original plan of returning directly to America, and +she resolved to remain in Paris a while for the purpose of perfecting +herself more fully in French, and also to take a few finishing lessons +in music, for she had determined to make use of these branches in +supporting herself in the future. + +She threw her whole heart into her work, and few people would have +recognized in this grave, studious girl, the bright, laughing, care-free +Violet who had been such a favorite among her friends in Cincinnati the +year previous. + +She put herself under the best of teachers, and made the most of her +time and opportunities; thus nearly four months slipped by, and then she +resolved to go home to America. + +It was the last of September when she left Paris for London, where she +remained several days to make preparations for her voyage, before +proceeding to Glasgow to take the steamer, she having decided to sail +from there, because she could obtain a comfortable passage at cheaper +rates on the Anchor Line, and it was now becoming necessary for her to +husband her funds a little. + +It was the fifth of October when she left London for Glasgow, and it was +her face that Wallace had seen looking from that carriage window as he +was detained for a few minutes by a blockade in the street. + +Violet, however, was wholly unconscious of her proximity to her +lover--or her husband, as we now know him to be. She was deeply absorbed +in her own thoughts, and was gazing at nothing in particular; therefore, +the carriage that she was in had passed Lord Cameron's without her +having a suspicion that she had attracted the attention of any one. + +She was driven on to the Midland Grand station, where she took a train +for Glasgow, and that evening boarded the Circassia for New York, where +she arrived eleven days later--three days after the return of Wallace, +who had sailed on a faster vessel. + +One can imagine something of the loneliness and desolation which this +young and delicately reared girl experienced upon finding herself adrift +and an utter stranger in that great city and with but little money in +her purse. + +She longed to learn the circumstances of Wallace's supposed death, her +grief over which had been newly aroused on returning to her native land. + +She had known before leaving for Europe that he had received an offer of +partnership with some New York architect; but he had not mentioned the +name of the gentleman before she left, and not having received any of +his letters, she did not know whether he had closed with the offer, and +therefore, did not know where to go to make any inquiries relative to +his movements after her departure. + +She dare not go to Cincinnati to ascertain--she dare not write to ask +anything about him, for she was determined that her sister should not +know where she was. She had become entirely alienated by her unkindness, +and felt that she would much prefer to toil for her daily bread than to +go back to her and be subject to her arbitrary control again. + +"There are hundreds of girls as young as I, even younger, who have to +support themselves, and I believe I am just as capable of earning my own +living," she mused, considering her future. "At any rate, I am +determined to make the trial, and if I find I cannot earn a living there +will be time enough then to appeal to the court to appoint a different +guardian for me, and demand my money from Wilhelm." + +The poor child had yet to learn that there was no money to demand. + +She found a quiet, respectable boarding-place a few days after her +arrival in New York, and then took time by the forelock, by inserting +the following advertisement in two of the daily papers: + + A LADY, JUST RETURNED FROM EUROPE, + and fitted to teach music and French, would like + a few pupils. Address H, at this office. + +Two days thereafter Violet received a single letter in answer to her +advertisement, and it read thus: + + "If H. will call at No. ---- Fifth avenue, she + may learn something to her advantage." + +Violet was greatly disappointed to receive only one response; but she +argued that one pupil might open the way for others; so she dressed +herself with great care, took her music-roll under her arm, and made her +way to the address mentioned. + +"No. ---- Fifth avenue" proved to be a palatial residence, with the name +Lawrence gleaming in silver letters upon the door, and Violet's heart +sank a little as she mounted the marble steps, for she feared that she +might not be competent to teach in an aristocratic family such as +doubtless inhabited this elegant mansion. + +Her ring was answered by a colored servant, in livery to whom she stated +her errand, giving him her card, whereupon she was ushered into a +reception-room upon the right of a magnificent hall. + +Everything about her bespoke unlimited wealth, while the most perfect +taste was displayed in the harmonizing tints of everything, the costly +pictures, statuettes, bric-a-brac, and curios. + +Ten minutes elapsed. It seemed an age to anxious Violet; then the rich +draperies of the archway leading into the hall were swept aside, and a +tall, finely proportioned man of perhaps fifty years entered her +presence. + +He was distinguished-looking, with clear-cut features, an intelligent, +expressive eye, and a grandly shaped head; but there was a worn look on +his brow, a sad and anxious expression on his face that bespoke care and +sorrow. + +"Miss Huntington, I presume," he remarked, bowing gravely yet +courteously to her, as he glanced at the card which she had sent him by +the servant. + +"Yes, sir," Violet replied, and taking the letter, which she had +received that morning, from her hand-bag, she passed it to him, while +she added: "I have come to inquire if I am to find a pupil here. I +judged that such must be the fact, since the letter was in response to +my advertisement." + +Mr. Lawrence did not reply immediately; he seemed to be studying the +beautiful girl before him--the sad though lovely face, which was crowned +with such a mass of gleaming gold; the graceful figure, in its simple +but tasteful costume, while the small hand, so neatly incased in its +perfectly fitting glove, and the little foot, in its natty walking-boot, +did not escape his observation. + +It was easy to perceive that he was favorably impressed by his fair +visitor, for when he did speak, he was more kind and courteous than +before. + +"I was impressed, Miss Huntington, when I read your advertisement, that +you were a young lady in search of employment," he said; "and as I am +also looking for some young lady to fill a vacancy, it occurred to me +that, although you had advertised for 'pupils,' you might be +persuaded--if we should be mutually pleased with each other--to devote +yourself to one, provided the remuneration were sufficient." + +"Ah! you are looking for a governess," Violet remarked, with a quiet +smile, and in no wise displeased by the proposition. + +"Not a governess, according to the common acceptation of the term," the +gentleman returned, in a sad tone. "But let me tell you exactly how I am +situated, and what I desire; then you can decide as to the desirability +of the position. I have a daughter," Mr. Lawrence resumed, after a +moment of thought, "who is in her twelfth year. She is blind----" + +"Blind!" repeated Violet, in such a tender, sympathetic tone, and with +such a compassionate glance that her companion's face lighted with a +grateful smile. + +"Yes," he answered, "she was born totally blind. It is a peculiar case, +and I have been told there is only one other on record like it. It is +called cataract of the lens; but when my child was nine months old a +noted oculist, whom we consulted, thought that an operation might be +performed which would at least give her a portion of her sight. Of +course, I was willing to consent to anything that would mitigate, even +to the smallest extent, her heavy affliction. The cataracts were +punctured through the pupils, and she saw, very faintly at first, but, +as time elapsed and the cataracts began to be absorbed, her sight +strengthened somewhat. Her sight is very limited, however; she can see +to get about the house, and distinguishes objects of any size with the +aid of glasses, but not well enough to read, and whatever she learns is +taught by reading aloud to her. She has a remarkable memory, as most +blind people have, I believe, and she is extremely fond of music, both +vocal and instrumental. Do you sing, Miss Huntington?" Mr. Lawrence +asked, suddenly breaking in upon his account of his little daughter's +condition. + +"Yes, sir, I have spent more time upon vocal culture than upon +instrumental music," Violet responded, and this assurance drew forth a +smile of approbation from her host. + +"I have had many governesses for her," the gentleman resumed, "and she +has spent two years in an institution for the blind, though for the last +six months I have been obliged myself to teach her all that she has +learned. And now I come to the most trying portion of my story," he +added, a slight flush tinging his face. "I feel it is only right that I +should be perfectly frank with you in the matter, and so feel obliged to +tell you that Bertha possesses a very strong, an almost indomitable +will, and there are times when she becomes sullen and unmanageable. She +will not study, she will not practice, or do anything which she imagines +is required of her; and thus, for a time, the whole household is in a +most uncomfortable state; for while she refuses obedience to others, she +is equally insistent upon requiring instant compliance with all her +demands. When the fit passes she is again gentle, merry and lovable. +Now, my object in sending for you Miss Huntington, was, providing I was +favorably impressed with you, to ask if you would consent to devote all +your time to one pupil instead of several. The position will require a +steady, persistent, even temperament--one of mingled gentleness and +firmness--and I believe I see lines of decision in your face; you have a +strong will, have you not?" + +"I have been told that I have," Violet replied, smiling, "but"--growing +very grave again--"whether I possess firmness sufficient to cope with +the will you have described, I cannot say. I have never had any +experience in the government of children; but I should say that tact +would prove more effective in the management of your daughter than an +obstinate insistence regarding obedience." + +Mr. Lawrence's face lighted at this remark. + +"That is the wisest observation that I have ever heard any governess +make regarding the control of Bertha," he said. "Miss Huntington, will +you make a trial of it for a while?" + +Still Violet looked grave. She felt that the responsibility would be a +great one, and she trembled for the result. + +Yet her sympathies were enlisted both for this careworn, perplexed +father, and for his afflicted child, while, too, the idea of a +permanent, pleasant home was an attractive feature to her. + +"Money would be no object," Mr. Lawrence continued, as she did not +reply, "if the right person could be obtained, and if you could but +achieve a strong influence over the child and sway her by tact, or by +any other method, I would gladly give you any price you choose to name. +Somehow I feel impelled to urge you to come to us--the very fact that +you hesitate to accept the position assures me that you are wise in the +consideration of all projects." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +VIOLET MAKES AN ENGAGEMENT. + + +Violet was deeply touched by the sad account to which she had listened. +It seemed very hard that this poor child, who lived amid all this +luxury, and who was surrounded with everything to make life delightful, +should be so deprived of the enjoyment of it, and the young girl's heart +yearned toward the unfortunate little heiress; her eyes grew moist and +tender with pity; her face shone with a sincere sympathy, and the +anxious father, as he watched her, felt an increasing desire to secure +her services for his afflicted daughter. + +"I fear that I am too young and inexperienced to assume such a +responsibility," Violet began, at length. "Truth compels me to tell you +frankly that I have never taught, and that only recent reverses have +driven me to the necessity of earning my own living. Do you think that +Miss Bertha's mother would approve----" + +She checked herself suddenly, for the expression of pain which swept +over her companion's face warned her that she had touched upon a tender +subject. + +"I should have told you, to begin with, Miss Huntington, that Bertha has +no mother--she died at the time of Bertha's birth, and my poor little +girl has had to grow up without a mother's love or care," Mr. Lawrence +replied, with evident emotion. "As far as your youthfulness is +concerned," he resumed, after a moment of thought, "I am inclined to +think that it is in your favor, and that you will succeed better with +Bertha on that account. I am afraid that I have made a mistake +heretofore in employing companions who were too mature to sympathize +with her in her childish tastes and desires, as a younger person would +perhaps have done. If you should decide in favor of the position, you +would of course reside here with us, and your time would be chiefly +occupied with Bertha, for she needs constant care. I would like her to +have regular lessons--by that I mean you would have to read aloud what +she was to learn, and talk it over with her until it became fixed in her +memory. Then--your advertisement stated that you desired pupils in +French; do you speak the language readily?" + +"Yes, sir; I have studied years under a native teacher, while, during +most of the past year I was abroad, the last four months I spent in +Paris and devoted exclusively to perfecting myself in music and French." + +"I am gratified to learn that," Mr. Lawrence said, "because I wish +Bertha to be able to speak French as readily as she can English, as I +intend to take her abroad at no distant day--to Paris--to see if +something more cannot be done to improve her sight. As for music, you +will have no difficulty in teaching her that, for the child is +passionately fond of it, and is never so happy as when she is at the +piano or organ. You perceive that you would have to be both teacher and +companion--I hope I do not frighten you with all these requirements, +Miss Huntington," the gentleman interposed, smiling, "but I wish you to +fully understand, at the outset, what your duties will be. Do you object +to giving up your plan of having a number of pupils and taking one +instead?" + +"Oh, no," Violet answered, thoughtfully; "I think, on the whole, that I +should prefer to do so, if I were sure of my competency for the +position. It appears a great responsibility to have the care and +training of a motherless girl like Miss Bertha." + +"Are you fond of children?" Mr. Lawrence inquired. + +Violet's face lighted, as she replied: + +"Yes, indeed, although I have been very little with them during my life; +while my heart goes forth with a strange yearning toward your little +daughter, and I believe I would really like to devote myself to her--at +least, make the trial--and see if I cannot make the time pass agreeably +and profitably to her." + +Mr. Lawrence was very much gratified at this response. He saw that +Violet was wholly sincere in what she said, while her apparent sympathy +for his afflicted child touched him deeply. + +"I am very much pleased to hear you say that," he remarked, with a +genial smile, and Violet was greatly surprised that he did not ask for +references regarding either her character or qualifications. "Now, would +you like to see Bertha?" he asked. "I suppose we shall be obliged to +secure her sanction to this arrangement, for, to be perfectly frank with +you, her intuitions are very keen; she is a child of strong likes and +dislikes, and unless she is favorably impressed with a person, it is +almost impossible for that one to influence her." + +Violet's heart sank at this, for if her future was to be governed by the +capricious fancies of a willful child, she feared that a very trying +experience lay before her. + +Nevertheless she signified her desire to see this young autocrat, who +appeared to exercise such supreme control in that household. Rising, she +followed Mr. Lawrence from the room, up a wide, richly carpeted +stair-way, to a large, sunny apartment which overlooked the busy street. + +It was a very pleasant room, and furnished with every luxury and device +to amuse, that the most exacting nature could desire. + +In a large, richly upholstered chair, by one of the windows, sat a very +pretty girl of about twelve years. She had a clear, beautiful +complexion, with brown hair, rather massive features for one so young, +but upon which there were plainly written great strength of will and +decision of character; yet there was a sweet expression about her mouth +which bespoke a loving nature, and at once attracted Violet. + +Her eyes were blue, but it was evident that they were very defective in +sight, though they were partially concealed by the glasses which she +wore. + +She was amusing herself with some gayly dressed dolls that lay upon +another chair in front of her, while a maid sat near by, engaged in +dressing another. + +The child looked up eagerly as the door opened, for she had recognized +her father's step; her lips wreathed with fond smiles, which plainly +indicated that she was devotedly attached to him. + +"Why, papa!" she exclaimed, in a tone of surprise; "I didn't know that +you were at home. Did you bring me some candy? Who is that with you?" +she added, quickly, as she caught the sound of Violet's light steps. + +"I have brought you something far better than candy," her father +responded, with a tender note in his voice; "I have invited a young lady +to come up to see you. Miss Huntington, this is my little daughter, +Bertha." + +"Come here, Miss Huntington!" the child said, imperatively, and Violet +went at once to her side, greeting her in her gentle voice. + +"You are very good to come to see me," the child said, more courteously +than she had previously spoken, for Violet's sweet tones had attracted +her. "I like your voice. Put your face down and let me see it." + +Violet knelt beside her chair, thus bringing her face on a level with +Bertha's. + +The young girl strained her gaze to get a view of it, but this not +proving satisfactory, she passed her fingers lightly over Violet's +delicate features, their touch lingering longest upon her sweet lips. + +"You are lovely," she said, naively, after the examination. "Are you one +of papa's especial friends?" + +Violet smiled, and a dash of exquisite color shot into her cheeks at the +form of the question. + +"No, dear; I am simply here to ascertain if I will be a suitable +governess and companion for you," she answered, thinking it best to come +to the point at once. + +"Oh!" and Miss Bertha's tone changed instantly. Evidently the subject of +a governess was not an acceptable one to her. "I hate governesses; they +are stiff and proper. Do you get cross and ill-natured when little girls +don't mind you, Miss Huntington?" + +Violet laughed out in her musical, merry way at this personal question. + +"Because if you do," the child went on, gravely, "I don't want you. All +my governesses have been cross and wouldn't let me do as I want to. What +a nice smile you have!" she rambled on, her fingers lingering +caressingly about Violet's mouth, "and you laugh out so prettily I like +to hear it. You are pretty and--and nice, aren't you?" + +"Perhaps it would be just as well, dear, not to discuss those points at +present," Violet returned, with some embarrassment, for Mr. Lawrence's +smiling eyes told her that he fully concurred in his daughter's admiring +remarks; "but I hope I could never be cross or ill-natured toward any +little girl," and the sudden tenderness that leaped into her tone seemed +to add, as plainly as words could have done, "who could not see." + +"I reckon you are nice," said Bertha, reflectively. "Do you like dolls?" +she asked, as she laid her hand upon the group in her lap. + +"Yes, indeed," and Violet laughed and flushed consciously. "Do you +know," she added, confidentially, "after I became so old that I was +ashamed to be seen playing with them, I used to beg to be allowed to +dress them for fairs and for the children of my friends? Of course under +those circumstances I could not be accused of playing with them, and +yet, between you and me, I had a very nice time with them." + +Violet thereupon began making some inquiries regarding the doll family +before her, and quite an entertaining conversation was kept up for +several minutes, greatly to the amusement of Mr. Lawrence and the maid, +who had never before seen a would-be-governess put herself so _en +rapport_ with her prospective pupil. They had always seemed to think +they must be "stiff" and "proper," as Bertha had said. + +"Do you play the organ and piano, and can you sing?" Bertha inquired, +eagerly, after the subject of dolls had been exhausted. + +"Yes; would you like me to play you something?" Violet asked, as she +began to draw off her gloves. + +"Yes, yes!" cried the child, an earnest look of expectation and pleasure +flashing into her face. + +Violet went directly to a fine Steinway piano that was in the room, and +without the slightest consciousness or embarrassment, thinking only of +contributing to the young girl's employment, played a couple of +selections with great expression and correctness. + +"Now sing," commanded Miss Bertha, upon the conclusion of the second +piece; and Violet sang a lovely little ballad in her clear, pure, +cultivated tones. + +There was not a sound in the room until the last note died away; then +Bertha exclaimed, in a voice that thrilled with feeling: + +"Oh, that was beautiful!" + +Violet glanced at her, and saw that great tears were rolling down her +cheeks, and she told herself that there must be much of good in a nature +that could be so affected by music. + +She could easily perceive that she had a strong will and was of a +somewhat arbitrary temperament; but she believed that she had been +antagonized and confirmed in these faults by unwise government. + +She went again to her side, saying in a tender tone: + +"You are fond of music, aren't you, dear?" and as she spoke she gently +wiped her tears away with her own dainty handkerchief. + +The child, moved by some sudden impulse, caught her hand and kissed it +passionately. + +"I like you, Miss Huntington, and you shall stay with me!" she cried. + +"Bertha," interposed her father, reprovingly, "you should not speak in +such a way, and that is a matter which Miss Huntington will have to +decide for herself." + +"Will you stay?" urged Bertha, appealingly, and still clinging to the +hand she had kissed. + +"Yes, dear, if you think that you could be happy with me," Violet +answered, and Bertha asserted confidently that she could--that she +should be unhappy without her, while she promised that she would "be +good" and attentive to her lessons; that she would even "try real hard" +to learn the multiplication table, which had hitherto been a sharp thorn +in the flesh, and a bone of contention between herself and her former +governesses. + +Mr. Lawrence was very much pleased to observe how readily Violet +appeared to acquire an influence over the willful, headstrong girl, who +had in every previous instance rebelled against the engagement of a +governess, and he felt that he would be very fortunate in securing her +services. + +"I am exceedingly gratified that you are willing to undertake the +charge," he said, gratefully. + +"I almost wonder at your willingness to trust her to me," Violet +answered, smiling, yet her lips quivered slightly, for it seemed like a +very sacred charge to her. + +"On account of youth and inexperience, I suppose," he returned; then +added, reassuringly: "But, as I said before, I believe that will be in +your favor, although I warn you that you will have to exercise firmness +and judgment at all times. But when can you come to us, Miss +Huntington?" + +"Whenever you wish," she replied. + +"At once?--to-morrow?" + +"Yes, sir; I have but to give up my lodgings and have my trunk removed." + +"That will be perfectly delightful, papa," Bertha exclaimed, eagerly, +"and you will sing and play to me; you will amuse me every day, will you +not, Miss Huntington?" + +"Yes, to a reasonable extent; but, in return, you will try faithfully to +learn all that I wish to teach you?" stipulated Violet. + +"Yes, I will try," the child said, earnestly, as she again pressed her +lips to Violet's hand. + +"Now, my pet, you will have to excuse us," said Mr. Lawrence, rising. "I +have a few more arrangements to make with Miss Huntington, and we must +not detain her longer." + +"I wish you did not need to go at all," Bertha said, wistfully. + +"Perhaps you will be wishing to send me away before a great while," +Violet remarked, with a quiet laugh. + +"No, indeed; I am sure I shall never want to give you up," persisted the +child, confidently. + +Violet bent to kiss the sweet face upraised to hers, and then followed +Mr. Lawrence from the room, having first promised to "come early +to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +VIOLET AND HER UNRULY PUPIL. + + +Mr. Lawrence led Violet back to the reception-room below, remarking, as +he courteously rolled a chair forward for her: + +"I cannot tell you how pleased I am, Miss Huntington, with the cordial +reception that Bertha has given you. It is seldom that she is so +strongly attracted by a stranger, and if you can but retain your +influence over her I am sure you cannot fail to do her good. I know that +you will not be easily discouraged." + +"To be 'forewarned is to be forearmed,' you know, sir," Violet smilingly +responded; then she added more seriously, and with a firmness which told +her companion that she was far from lacking in decision of character: +"As I have already told you, I know but very little about teaching and +less about governing, from personal experience, but, while I mean to do +my duty faithfully and be all that is kind or considerate toward Miss +Bertha, I believe it will be better for both of us, if I insist upon +obedience and a cheerful compliance with my wishes--upon a regular +routine, during certain hours of the day, after which I shall be pleased +to attend to her pleasure and amusement." + +Mr. Lawrence's smile told Violet that he approved of the course which +she had suggested, even before he replied: + +"I agree with you most heartily, Miss Huntington," he said, "and if you +can, by any means, put your theory into practice, you will succeed in +doing more than any one else has ever done. Bertha is perfectly well and +strong, with the exception of her imperfect sight, and she ought to have +regular duties; but she is so willful and obstinate at times that others +have found it impossible to make her learn her lessons. She is naturally +affectionate and tender-hearted, and good when she is not crossed; then +there comes a severe trial of patience. But she is always repentant and +remorseful after her willfulness until--she is crossed again. Now, what +will you consider adequate remuneration for the giving up of your own +plans and assuming the responsibility which I desire to commit to you?" + +Violet regarded her companion with unfeigned surprise. + +This was a new way of making terms with a governess, she thought--to +request her to set her own price for her services. + +"That is a matter which I supposed you would regulate yourself," she +remarked, flushing slightly, "at least until we can ascertain whether I +am to be successful in my position. I hope that Miss Bertha and I will +get on very agreeably," she concluded, earnestly. + +"I feel very sure that you will," Mr. Lawrence replied, confidently. "My +family," he continued, "consists only of my daughter, my housekeeper, +and myself, besides the servants. I fear it may be somewhat dull for you +here, at times, as we live so quietly; but we will endeavor to make it +as pleasant as possible for you. We will enter into no formal contract +at present--I would not ask you to pledge yourself to remain any length +of time, until you have an opportunity to realize what your duties and +responsibilities will be; but if--while you do remain--a hundred dollars +a quarter will be sufficient for your needs, I shall consider myself +fortunate in securing your services for that amount." + +"The sum will be ample, thank you," Violet returned, secretly thinking +it a very generous offer, while she began to realize that she was also +very fortunate in securing so pleasant a home and such a remunerative +position, instead of having to trust to promiscuous pupils for her +living. + +Still, she knew that it would be no light task to have to be eyes for +the blind, and subject to the willfulness and obstinacy of a capricious +and over-indulged child. That there would be many severe trials in her +position she did not doubt, but there would also be comfort in having +the protection of a home, and, perhaps, the occasional companionship of +a cultured gentleman like Mr. Lawrence. + +She arose to take her leave now, and Mr. Lawrence himself accompanied +her to the door instead of calling a servant to show her out. + +He bade her a courteous good-day, saying he should hope to see her as +early as convenient on the morrow, and offering to send his carriage for +her if she would give him her address. + +Violet thanked him, but declined his kind offer, for she was not quite +sure at what hour she would be ready to leave her lodgings, as she had +two or three errands to do in the morning. + +But about eleven o'clock the next day she arrived at her future home, +where she found Mr. Lawrence just going to his office down town. + +He greeted her warmly, waiting until her trunk was brought in, and +directed that it should be carried up to the blue room. + +Then, as he was about leaving he remarked, with earnest hospitality: + +"Pray make yourself perfectly at home, Miss Huntington, call upon the +servants for anything you want, and command me at any time." + +Violet thanked him, and then followed her trunk to the blue room, which +she found to be a lovely apartment with an alcove, adjoining Bertha's +sitting-room, and furnished with all the comfort and elegance to which +she had been accustomed to all her life in her own home. + +And now a strange, new life opened before her. + +Hitherto she had lived a life of ease and pleasure; with plenty of money +at her command, she had been able to gratify every whim or caprice; in +her luxurious home, servants had waited upon her, and she had been +petted and indulged, and, as a general thing, allowed to have her own +way. + +Now she was to serve and be subject to an arrogant and overbearing +child. + +She knew that her duties would call for unlimited patience and +self-control, and now that she found the die was cast, she was almost +appalled to think that she had dared to assume so much. + +To all intents and purposes, she was alone in the world--separated and +alienated from her sister and her husband; cut off, as she believed, by +death, from her beloved young husband, she had no one to whom she could +turn in any trouble or emergency. + +But the varied experiences of the last four months had begun to develop +powers within her, which she had never before dreamed that she +possessed. She had grown strong, resolute, and self-reliant in +character; she had learned to plan for herself financially, and to feel +that life had been given to her for some other purpose than simple +enjoyment and pleasure. + +The gayety and impulsiveness which had characterized her previous to her +troubles, had given place to a sweet and quiet dignity, a charming +gentleness and grace which were very attractive, and so, with a brave, +firm heart, and an unwavering trust in the strong Hand, on which she had +begun to lean during her illness in Mrs. Richardson's home and under her +influence, she bravely took up the burden of her lonely life, and +resolved to do her very best in the trying position she had assumed. + +But she had many sad hours, nevertheless; the bright past would +sometimes arise, like some alluring phantom to remind her of her former +happy, care-free life, and mock her in her present loneliness and +sorrow, and for the time being the deep waters would seem to roll over +her soul and threaten to swamp her beneath their cruel waves. + +But she never yielded to such depression long--her bruised heart would +always rise above her sorrow after a time, and turn with trusting +confidence to the Comforter in whom her faith was every day growing +stronger. + +Bertha Lawrence, as has been seen from her father's account, had been an +over-indulged child all her life. + +From the hour when he had first discovered the dreadful fact that his +motherless little girl was blind--a discovery which had nearly unsettled +his reason--he had felt that the devotion of himself and all that he +possessed could not make up to her for the loss of her sight, and he had +spared nothing that would contribute to her comfort or enjoyment. He had +literally showered luxuries and expensive gifts upon her from the very +first, and once, when a friend had chided him for his lavishness and +extravagance, he had replied that he "should regard a fortune as well +spent if it would give her pleasure." + +This, of course, was mistaken kindness, though prompted by tenderest +love, for pleasure and unlimited gratification palled upon her after a +while, and this course of indulgence only developed a selfish spirit and +an unusually strong will, which she had inherited from both parents. + +If she was crossed ever so lightly, a spirit of antagonism and obstinacy +was instantly aroused, which it sometimes took days to overcome, and was +often made worse by servile coaxing and bribing on the part of those who +had the care of her, this being considered the easiest way to get along +with her. + +Violet had a trial of this nature not very many days after she assumed +her duties as companion, and governess, and how she met it will be +developed. + +Miss Bertha always took her breakfast in her private sitting-room, +because, as she retired early, she awoke earlier in the morning than the +other members of the family, and it was thought best that she should not +wait to eat with them. + +When Violet learned this, she at once said that she would take her +breakfast with her charge, if it would be agreeable to her. + +Bertha thought this was very kind, and a delightful arrangement, and for +a few days everything moved along harmoniously. + +But one morning there came a storm to dispel this unusual calm. + +Bertha had given orders for something that she particularly wanted for +breakfast, but through some misunderstanding or oversight, it was not +provided, although the table was very nicely laid with broiled chicken, +hot rolls, Lyonnaise potatoes, and an omelet, the latter usually being a +favorite with the young lady. + +"Where are my oysters?" Miss Bertha demanded, with a frown, after the +servant had named over the various viands upon the table, and she +discovered that her order had been ignored. + +"The man did not bring them, Miss Bertha," the girl answered. + +"But I want some broiled oysters," persisted the unreasonable child. + +"I am very sorry, I am sure----" began the servant, when Bertha +interrupted her, angrily: + +"That doesn't make any difference; I'm going to have the oysters, and I +shall not eat any breakfast until I get them." + +A threat of this kind usually resulted in somebody flying around to +procure the desired delicacy, for the child was stubborn enough to keep +her word, and it was believed it would never do to allow one born to +such luxury to fast. + +"I am sure this is a very nice breakfast, Bertha," Violet here +interposed. "This broiled chicken is delicious; those hot rolls are just +a lovely brown, and the sight of that golden omelet makes my mouth +water." + +But Bertha would not be coaxed--that had been tried too often already +without avail. She threw herself back in her chair, a sullen, determined +look on her face. + +"Come, dear; I am really quite hungry," persevered Violet, as she took +her by the hand to lead her to the table. + +Bertha snatched it rudely away. + +"I do not want any breakfast," she pouted. + +"But it is very nice, and you can have the oysters to-morrow morning," +urged Violet. + +"I want them now. Mary, send John for them at once, and then have them +cooked immediately," the child commanded, arbitrarily. + +"But, miss, it would take a long time, and you would be half famished +before you got your breakfast," remonstrated Mary. + +"I don't care; I will have them!" Bertha insisted, passionately. + +"No, dear, not this morning," Violet said, kindly, but firmly, and +thinking it best to take matters into her own hands and settle them once +for all. "Mary, roll Miss Bertha's chair to the table, and we will eat +what we have." + +The girl turned to obey, but Bertha struck at her, saying that she was +to be let alone; she would not have any breakfast. + +Violet thought a moment; then, with a significant glance at the servant, +she said, quietly: + +"Very well, Mary; if Miss Bertha does not care to eat, of course she +need not. I will, however, have my breakfast now, as this nice chicken +will be getting cold. You may pour out a cup of coffee for me, if you +please." + +She seated herself at the table and began to help herself to the various +viands, and entirely ignoring the presence of the sulky girl on the +other side of the room. + +The servant looked very much amused at this new departure, while Bertha +appeared speechless from astonishment. + +She had never been dealt with in this manner before, and did not exactly +know how to meet such treatment. + +Violet was assured, and indeed Mr. Lawrence had told her, that Bertha +was a perfectly well child; therefore, she thought it would do her no +harm to fast, and she was not at all troubled by her refusal to eat, at +least not more so than what the unpleasant occurrence caused her to +feel. + +She proceeded quietly with her own employment, talking a little now and +then with Mary, but not once addressing Bertha. + +When she finished her meal, she asked, as a matter of form merely: + +"Bertha, is there anything you would like from the table before Mary +removes the service?" + +"No; I want my oysters," was the pouting reply. + +"Very well; then, Mary, you may take the things away, and you can tell +the cook that we will have the broiled oysters to-morrow morning," +Violet said, composedly. + +Bertha lifted her head, a look of blank dismay written on every feature. +Her face flushed an angry red, but apparently she did not know just what +to do under the circumstances, and so continued to remain sulkily +silent. + +She was too proud and obstinate to succumb and eat anything, although +the cravings of her healthful appetite were making themselves keenly +felt, and so the tempting breakfast was removed. + +When the servant finally disappeared, after brushing up and putting the +room in order, Bertha's passion broke all bounds. + +She threw herself prone upon the floor, and began to cry and sob +violently. + +Violet paid no attention, however, to this outbreak, but taking up a +book, appeared to be reading, although she was so excited and troubled +by this first conflict with her pupil that she was unconscious that her +book was upside down. + +The child cried for nearly half an hour, and not one word was spoken +during that time. At last Bertha arose from her prostrate position, and +moved toward the electric button which governed a bell in the kitchen. + +"What are you going to do, Bertha?" Violet quietly asked. + +"I am going to have my oysters," was the sullen yet determined reply. + +"No, dear, you cannot have any oysters this morning; you must wait for +them until to-morrow," Violet said, with a ring of decision in her tone +which plainly indicated that there would be no repeal of the sentence. +"If you are really hungry, Mary may bring you a cup of chocolate and +some toast." + +"I hate chocolate and toast, and I want my breakfast. Nobody ever dared +to treat me so before. I will have oysters," she concluded, shrieking +out those last words passionately. + +Violet made no reply, and the child stood irresolute for a few moments, +then threw herself into a chair and began to swing her feet back and +forth violently, kicking the frame with every movement. + +This uncomfortable state of affairs lasted until the clock struck nine, +when Violet laid aside her book, saying, pleasantly, and as if nothing +unusual had happened: + +"Come, Bertha, it is time for our lessons." + +She arose and wheeled the small table, upon which their text books were +always kept, toward the bay-window where Bertha liked to sit, and +seating herself, took up a history and began to read aloud, as was her +custom. + +"No," cried Bertha, in an irritating tone, "I am not going to have any +lessons this morning. I want my breakfast." + +Violet was astonished at such persistent obstinacy in one so young; but +she was determined that she would not yield to it. She felt that if she +conquered in this first conflict she would be reasonably sure to come +off victor in other encounters, while if she allowed herself to be +beaten she might as well give up her position at once, for she would be +able to do the child no earthly good without a curbing influence over +her. + +So she went quietly on with her reading, whereupon Miss Bertha clapped +her hands over her ears as if to shut out the sound of her teacher's +voice. + +Violet was not going to waste her breath reading to the four walls, so +she shut and laid down her book with a heavy sigh, and wondering how +long this would last, and what she ought to do next. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +VIOLET GAINS A SIGNAL VICTORY. + + +The child was only pretending not to hear. + +She caught the sound of her much-tried companion's sigh, and instantly +her lips began to twitch and curve slightly in a smile that had +suspicion of triumph in it. + +Violet saw it, and instantly the lines about her own mouth grew firmer +and more resolute. + +"She thinks to tire me out and gain her point," she said to herself, +"but I am going to settle who is to rule, once for all, for if I cannot +have her respectful obedience it will be useless for me to remain here." + +She arose and passed into her own room, but presently returned bringing +with her a dainty little basket in which there lay some fancy-work and +bright flosses. + +Resuming her seat by the window, she busied herself with her embroidery, +apparently oblivious of the fact that there was any one else in the +room. + +The hour that followed was tedious in the extreme to both teacher and +pupil, for not one single word was spoken during that time. + +When the clock struck ten--the hour generally devoted to music--Violet +arose, and, going to the piano, began to play. + +Instantly Bertha's chubby hands went up to her ears again, but her young +teacher, without appearing to notice the movement, kept on, and did a +faithful half-hour's practice for herself. + +Then she began to sing a sweet little ballad which she had learned soon +after her mother's death. It was plaintive, and told the story of a +lonely little heart longing for mother-love, and she had not reached the +end of the second verse when she saw the tears streaming over Bertha's +little face, and knew that her wedge had entered the obstinate little +soul. + +Still she pretended to ignore her, keeping on with her song until she +had finished it, then she went back to her work in the window. + +Presently a timid, somewhat uncertain voice said: + +"Miss Huntington." + +"Well, dear." + +"May--may I have oysters for my lunch?" + +"Ah! those oysters! Were ever such tender things so hard to be disposed +of?" But she took courage from the form of the request and the appealing +tone. + +"No, dear," she quietly answered. + +"Why?" imperatively. + +"Because I have said, once, that you cannot have them, and have given +Mary orders to provide them for your breakfast to-morrow morning," was +the calm response; then she added: "Now, let us talk no more about the +unpleasant subject, but attend to our duties. It is time for your +geography lesson." + +"I do not want my geography. I must do my history first," was the +rebellious response. + +"The history hour is past, and will not come again until to-morrow," +Violet replied. + +She knew that the child was very much interested in her history--she +always listened attentively while she read it to her, and seldom had to +be prompted in repeating it; but the lessons had all been assigned for +certain hours in the day, and she did not intend to break her rules or +be governed by the caprices of this spoiled girl of twelve. + +"I don't care; I shall not do my geography until I have done my +history," retorted Bertha, angrily. + +"Bertha," said Violet, gravely, "we are going to do the lessons in their +regular order every day, for if we jumble things we shall never have any +system. Now, I hope you are going to do right, because only those who do +their duty are happy. I know you are unhappy now because you have done +wrong this morning, and it makes me sad also. We did not begin the day +just as we should, but let us go on and finish it as well as we can, and +try to do better to-morrow." + +"No-o; if I cannot do my history, I shall not do anything else," the +girl answered, defiantly. + +"Very well," Violet said, coldly, "then there will be no lessons to-day, +nor reading of any kind." + +"Oh! aren't you going to read to me from that nice book that papa +brought to me yesterday?" Bertha demanded, anxiously. + +"No, I cannot read to any little girl who will not obey me." + +"I never obey anybody but papa," was the pouting rejoinder. + +"Your father wishes you to obey me, Bertha, and--if you do not I shall +be obliged to go away. I shall never ask you to do anything save what I +believe to be right, and if you cannot give me your obedience I shall +have to find some other little girl to teach." + +A look of dismay passed over Bertha's face for a moment; but having +always won the victory in all previous battles with other governesses, +she imagined that she would win this, eventually. + +"I don't care--I am not going to do any lessons today," she said, +shortly, and Violet felt severely tried--indeed, almost discouraged. + +But she had made up her mind not to yield her point, and so kept quietly +on with her work. + +Bertha brought out her dolls and began to play with them, and for a +couple of hours she managed to get on very well. At the end of that time +she grew tired of being so by herself, and begged Violet to read to her. + +"Come here, Bertha, if you please," Violet said, without replying +directly to her question. + +Bertha, wondering at the grave tone, went and stood before her teacher. + +"Can you see my face, dear?" she asked. + +"Yes," the child said, peering up at her curiously. + +"Can you see my eyes?" + +"Yes, I see them," Bertha replied, bringing her face very close to +Violet's. + +"Tell me how they look." + +"They look kind of--sorry, and your face is like papa's when he is +grieved and displeased with me." + +"I am sorry and grieved; more grieved than I can tell you, to have had +this trouble with my little friend," Violet said, sadly. "You know, +dear, that you are not doing right, and that I should be doing you wrong +and injury to let you have your own way. You would not respect me or +believe me truthful if I should give up to you. I have told you just how +the lessons must go on, and I shall make no change, and if you cannot do +as I wish, you must amuse yourself as best you can." + +"And you will not read me any stories at all today?" and there was a +suspicious tremor in the young tones, for the child dearly loved this +recreation, and Violet was a very entertaining reader. + +"No; the stories only come after lessons, you know." + +Bertha went thoughtfully back to her dolls, and played by herself until +luncheon was brought up, when she sat down at the table and ate +heartily, for by this time she was very hungry. + +No mention was made of oysters, and Violet earnestly hoped that that +battle would not have to be fought over again. + +After luncheon, blocks and other playthings were called into service, +and the child busied herself with them during the greater part of the +afternoon. + +Now and then she would ask some question of Violet, who answered kindly +and pleasantly, but always without looking up from her work or appearing +to be in the least interested in Bertha's employment. + +When twilight began to gather, Bertha left her toys and came to sit down +by her teacher--who had now laid aside her work--her young face wearing +a very sober look. After a while she slipped one hand into that of +Violet, who clasped it kindly and drew her still nearer. + +"Will you please sing me something, Miss Huntington?" the child asked, +after a while. + +"I should be very glad to, Bertha, but I cannot today," was the grave +reply. + +Nothing further was said upon that subject, and presently they fell to +talking in a quiet, social way, and this was kept up until dinner was +announced, when Violet and her pupil went down, as was their custom, to +eat with Mr. Lawrence. + +"How have the lessons been getting on to-day, little daughter?" Mr. +Lawrence inquired during the meal, and observing that Bertha was more +quiet than usual. + +The child grew suddenly crimson, hesitated a moment, and then said: + +"I didn't feel much like lessons to-day. Will you take me out for a +drive to-morrow, papa?" + +It was evident to all that Miss Bertha wished to change the subject +introduced by her father, and Mr. Lawrence smiled as he glanced +significantly at Violet, thus showing that he understood there had been +trouble in the school-room. + +"Perhaps so, dear," he answered. "We will see how the lessons get on +to-morrow," and then he began talking of other things. + +After dinner, however, he asked Violet if there had been any +disturbance, and she gave him a truthful account of all that had +occurred, remarking, as she concluded: + +"I believed that if I could be firm at the outset and make the dear +child understand that I must have her obedience, it would be better for +all of us. If I had allowed her to conquer me in this, I am convinced +that it would have been but the beginning of trouble, and I could be of +but little service to her." + +"You are right, Miss Huntington," Mr. Lawrence said, bestowing a glance +of approbation upon her, and secretly well pleased with this evidence of +her decision of character, "and it would have been far better if Bertha +had had a firm rule like this from early childhood. All her other +governesses have yielded to her, and I fear I have not carried as steady +a hand with her as I should have done. Keep on as you have begun, Miss +Huntington, and you will secure my unbounded gratitude, if you can +conquer this singular obstinacy which has seemed to possess the child +all her life." + +Violet was much relieved to find that he regarded her course of action +so sensibly, and she felt strengthened to go on as she had begun. + +The next morning the much-contested oysters appeared upon the +breakfast-table, and they were broiled to a delicious flavor. + +No remark was made about them until Violet put a bountiful supply upon a +plate and told Mary to pass them to Miss Bertha. + +"I do not want any oysters, and I shall not eat any," that young lady +asserted, much to Violet's dismay, for she had flattered herself that +there would be no trouble on that question that morning. + +"Then give them to me, if you please, Mary," she quietly said, then +helped Bertha to a nice bit of steak, which she requested the girl to +cut up for her. + +"I wonder if we are going to have yesterday's experience repeated," the +young teacher said to herself, but she could see by the expression on +Bertha's face that she was greatly disappointed at being taken at her +word. She had evidently expected to be coaxed to eat her oysters, and +when she was not, she was ashamed to ask for them. "I am sorry for her," +thought Violet, with a sigh, "but I do believe the lesson will do her +good, and will never need to be repeated." + +She began to chat pleasantly upon other subjects, and the meal was +finished in the most friendly manner. + +At nine o'clock Violet took up the history, and began to read the +neglected lesson of yesterday, while Bertha paid earnest attention to +every word, after which she gave a very clear account of what she had +heard. + +She then went to her practice without a word of objection, and performed +her work faithfully, after which her other lessons were taken up as +usual. + +All during the day she was obedient and respectful, and when the lessons +were completed, Violet, with a tenderer feeling for her than she had yet +experienced, read her the most charming story that she could find. + +By the middle of the afternoon Mr. Lawrence paid them a visit, and +finding his daughter in a sunnier mood than usual, looked the pleasure +he felt. + +He told them that he had come to take them to drive in Central Park, and +a few minutes after they were rolling rapidly out toward that beautiful +spot, behind a pair of handsome bays. + +That evening, just before it was time for Bertha to retire, she stole +softly to Violet's side, wound her arms about her neck, and, peering +eagerly into her face, shyly remarked: + +"Miss Huntington, your eyes do not look 'sorry' tonight." + +"No, indeed, dear; they ought to look very bright and happy, after such +a delightful day as we have had," Violet answered. + +"It has been a good day, hasn't it?" Bertha questioned, laying her head +fondly on her teacher's shoulder. + +"Yes, and all days will be 'good days,' if we do right," was the gentle +response, as Violet passed her arm around the child and drew her closer +to her. + +"I wonder, Miss Huntington, if you will get to love me by and by," +Bertha said, wistfully, after a little pause. + +"I love you now, dear," was the sweet-voiced assurance. + +"Truly." + +"Yes, truly and dearly," and a soft kiss emphasized the statement. + +"But----" + +"But what, Bertha?" + +"You didn't love me yesterday." + +"Oh, yes, I did, my dear child." + +"How could you? It did not seem like love when you were so--so stern and +set." + +"I certainly should not have shown love for you it I had allowed you to +have your own way." + +"Shall you always be so?" + +"'So'--how?" + +"Why, set--determined." + +"I hope I shall always be firm enough to do what is right, dear." + +"Is it right to make little girls do what they do not want to?" + +"Yes, if what they wish to do is wrong." + +"Don't you ever say 'yes,' when you have once said 'no,' Miss +Huntington?" + +"I do not mean to, Bertha, for I am afraid that a certain little girl, +whom I know, would not trust or respect me if I should," Violet +answered, gravely. + +"I love you," said the child, impulsively, and Violet felt that she had +won no mean victory, and the one influence of which would be felt as +long as she retained her present position. + +Those three simple, earnest words told her that, by continuing firm +during their recent contest, she had gained an influence and hold upon +the young girl's heart that she would never lose, and she resolved to +persevere in the course she had laid out for herself. + +It was easy to resolve when her pupil was in such a delightful mood, but +it was not so easy to execute, and Violet had to exercise all the +patience and self-control of which she was possessed, for during the +next few weeks there were several repetitions of willfulness and +obstinacy on the part of her pupil, although she never held out so long +again and was more easily conquered each time. + +She finally seemed to realize that her governess meant just what she +said--that sooner or later she must yield her the obedience which she +demanded; and after a while it became evident to Violet that she was +really trying to conquer her antagonistic disposition, and was truly +anxious to please her. + +There were many struggles and many failures, for over-indulgence had +pampered her disposition and fostered a selfishness which was not easily +mastered; but the strong will was now being bent in the right direction, +and the fruits of firmness and decision were making themselves manifest; +while, as Violet was always patient and gentle, tender in reproof, and +sympathetic whenever Bertha manifested sorrow, the child gradually grew +to love her almost to idolatry. + +Six months after the young teacher took up her abode in that elegant +home, one would hardly have recognized the docile, obedient child, and +every one in the house marveled at the change in her. + +Study grew delightful to her; she made rapid progress in her music, and +became so gentle and courteous to the servants, so affectionate and +companionable with her father, that she was like a sunbeam in the house. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +VIOLET MEETS WITH AN ACCIDENT. + + +Violet's life became more and more pleasant as time went on. Her pupil +continued to make marked and steady progress in her studies, while in +music she was becoming wonderfully proficient. She also grew more +cheerful and equable in temperament, and Mr. Lawrence was constantly +congratulating himself upon having secured such a treasure for a +governess. + +He was not long in discovering, also, that she was a very cultivated +young woman and exceedingly companionable as well, for, while Violet was +conscientious in the discharge of her duties toward her charge, she did +not neglect any opportunity to improve herself. + +She took up a course of reading which could not fail to expand her mind +and enlarge her views of life; kept herself informed regarding passing +events, while she devoted the greater portion of her evenings, after +Bertha had retired, to music, both vocal and instrumental. + +No one who had known her in the old days in Cincinnati would have +believed it possible that she could have changed in so short a time from +a careless girl into this self-contained yet gracious woman, who charmed +every one with her sweet dignity, her beautiful face, and cultured +conversation, and Mr. Lawrence was not slow to appreciate his good +fortune in having so lovely a woman in his home. + +"She would grace the highest position in the land," he told himself, one +night, when, at his request, she had presided over his table at a select +dinner party, bearing herself with so much ease and grace, and +displaying so much tact, that he was charmed and his guests eloquent in +their praises of her. + +From that time he began to show her, in a quiet way, numberless little +attentions. If he heard her express a desire, it was unostentatiously +gratified within twenty-four hours. If she mentioned a book or picture, +it appeared as if by magic--the one among the collection upon Bertha's +shelves, the other somewhere upon the walls of her sitting-room, while +every day the choicest of flowers found their way, by some unseen +agency, to the little table which was devoted to Violet's especial use. + +Once or twice every week Mr. Lawrence would come home to luncheon, +bringing opera or theater tickets for a matinee, and though Bertha and +the housekeeper were always included in these pleasures, for form's +sake, it was evident that the gentleman was most anxious to contribute +to the enjoyment of the fair governess, for he always managed to +ascertain her preference, and in this way Violet had opportunity to hear +the best histrionic and musical talent. + +Every pleasant afternoon he would plan a drive or a visit to some +picture-gallery or museum of art for her and Bertha, who, +notwithstanding her imperfect sight, enjoyed listening to a description +of the beautiful and interesting things about her, while it was +something new and delightful to have her papa such a devoted and +faithful attendant. + +One day, for a change, they drove out to one of the reservoirs which +supply New York city with water. + +Violet had been unusually happy all the week; her pleasant life, the +kind care and attention so constantly thrown around her, all contributed +to make the world seem a very delightful place once more, even though +its chief joy and light for her had been removed. + +She and Bertha had been in an unusually gay mood for them, and Mr. +Lawrence thought he had never seen Miss Huntington look so pretty and +appear so charming. + +Her musical laugh, her ready repartee, her bright and animated +countenance, amused and cheered him, making him feel younger by a score +of years than he really was. + +They rode about the reservoir, over the broad smooth drives for a while, +and then Bertha begged that they might get out and walk about, for she +wanted to get nearer the water. + +Mr. Lawrence, always willing to indulge her, acceded to her request, and +all three alighting, he told the coachman to drive slowly about until he +should signal for him. + +Then they spent half an hour or more strolling along the water's edge, +to Bertha's great enjoyment, after which Violet expressed a wish to see +the inside of the gatehouse, for she had never had an opportunity to +visit one. + +They proceeded thither, it being quite near, and, Mr. Lawrence having +obtained permission of the keeper, they went in to view the huge vaults, +together with the massive engine, by which the engineer controlled the +waters which swept with such ceaseless roar through the caverns below +and on toward their various channels in the city. + +They all became very much interested in watching the ponderous +machinery, and there was a strange fascination in the endless hurry and +rush of the water beneath them. + +But all at once, nobody could ever tell afterward how it happened, +Bertha made a misstep, and would have fallen beneath the railing and in +among the machinery had not Violet darted forward, seized her by her +clothing, and drawn her quickly out of harm's way. In doing so, however, +she herself fell, or was thrown, with great force against the railing, +and when Mr. Lawrence led them both farther away, she was very pale and +quivering from head to foot, from mingled pain and fright. + +"Are you hurt, Bertha?" she asked, bending over the weeping girl, who +had been terribly startled by the accident. + +"I guess not, but--oh! my heart beats so I cannot breathe," she panted, +in reply. + +"I am very glad--I--was--afraid----" + +Violet could get no further, but reeled dizzily, and would have fallen +if Mr. Lawrence had not sprung to her side, and, throwing his arm about +her slight form, asked, with great anxiety: + +"What is it, Miss Huntington--are you hurt?" + +"My arm," Violet murmured, with white lips, and, glancing down, he saw +that her left arm was hanging helplessly by her side. + +"Ah! you must have hurt it when you fell against the railing," he said, +his face and tone both expressing great concern. Then he added: "Can you +lift it? Can you move it?" + +Violet made an effort to do so, but the pain it produced was +intolerable, and the next moment she was lying unconscious in Mr. +Lawrence's arms. + +He laid her gently upon the floor, and took advantage of her +insensibility to make an examination of the injured member, when, to his +consternation, he discovered that it was broken just above the elbow. + +Bidding Bertha stay close beside her teacher, he then darted out of the +building, and, his carriage fortunately being within hailing distance, +he signaled for the coachman to come there. + +Without waiting for Violet to recover consciousness, he, with the +assistance of one of the men who belonged in the gate-house, lifted her +into the carriage, placing her as comfortably as possible upon one of +the seats, and then bade the coachman drive with all possible speed back +to the city. + +Mr. Lawrence had saturated his handkerchief with water before starting, +and now devoted himself to the task of reviving the insensible girl, by +bathing her face, and chafing her uninjured hand to restore circulation. + +Violet soon began to come to herself, but only to experience intense +suffering, while her bruised and broken arm had begun to swell +frightfully. + +"This is very unfortunate--I am very sorry," Mr. Lawrence said, deep +solicitude expressed in both tone and countenance, while Bertha sat +beside him weeping silently from sympathy. + +Violet tried to bear her pain with fortitude. She made no outward +demonstration or complaint; but her colorless face, contracted brow, and +the wild look in her eyes betrayed but too plainly that her suffering +was excruciating. + +The fleet horses made good time, and in less than an hour they were +home. + +Violet was tenderly lifted from the carriage and borne to her own room, +whither the housekeeper and servants were summoned to attend her, while +Mr. Lawrence himself went for a surgeon. + +Mrs. Davis was a kind and motherly woman, and seemed to know just what +needed to be done in this emergency. She cut away the sleeve of Violet's +dress and underclothing, thus releasing the wounded arm from its painful +bondage, and then wrapped it in wet cloths to reduce the swelling and +allay the inflammation. + +Twenty minutes after a skillful surgeon was on the spot, ether was +administered to his patient, then the broken bone was quickly and nicely +set, the arm bandaged, and Doctor Ashley declared that it would be as +good as new in the course of three or four weeks. + +When Violet came to herself again, the agonizing pain which she had +suffered before the administration of ether was gone, and though she was +weak and feverish, she was comparatively comfortable. + +But the shock to her system had been severe, and she was obliged to keep +her bed for several days, although she told Mrs. Davis and Bertha that +it was simply a pleasure to be sick when every one was so kind and +attentive to her. + +Of course Mr. Lawrence did not see her during this time, and he began to +be conscious of an oppressive feeling of loneliness; the house seemed +empty, desolate, without her. + +This sensation followed him everywhere he went; at table he could not +eat as usual, while his glance constantly roved to Violet's empty chair. +In his library, where usually he could find plenty of entertainment, and +even in Bertha's sitting-room, where he spent much time trying to amuse +her, and to make up to her as much as possible for the loss of her +companion, he was conscious of something wanting. + +"If I miss her like this for a few days, what shall I do if she ever +goes away to stay?" he asked himself one evening, when he was feeling +more lonely than usual. + +A wave of hot color mounted to his brow; then receding as quickly, left +his face blanched with a sudden discovery and an unaccountable feeling +of dread. + +"What is all this?" he muttered, half angrily; "am I, after all these +years, going to lose my head over a girl not half my age?" + +He sprang to his feet and began to pace the floor with a nervous, +uncertain tread, while during the next few days he appeared as if +oppressed by some heavy burden. + +Before a week had passed from the day of Violet's accident, she was up +and anxious to resume her usual duties. + +Mr. Lawrence went up stairs, one morning, to Bertha's room to amuse the +child, as he had been doing of late, and found the young teacher sitting +beside her pupil at the piano, trying to direct her practice, and his +fine face at once assumed a look of undisguised disapproval, even though +Violet glanced up and bade him a smiling good-morning. + +"My dear Miss Huntington, this will not do at all," he said, gravely; +"you are not to try your strength or take up your regular duties until +your arm is entirely well, and you have fully recovered from the effects +of your injury." + +"But, I assure you, I am feeling nicely. If this left hand of mine was +only at liberty, I should be wholly myself again," Violet replied, +bending a regretful look upon the helpless member in its sling. + +"That may be; but I am nevertheless going to prohibit all lessons, at +least until you can dispense with this," the gentleman replied, as he +softly touched the spotless handkerchief suspended about her neck. + +"What shall we do with ourselves, Bertha, if papa is going to be so +tyrannical?" asked Violet, in a tone of mock despair, but bestowing at +the same time a grateful glance upon her patron for his consideration. + +"The days are very long, papa, when I don't attend to my lessons with +Miss Huntington," Bertha said, with a sigh; "but I love her so well that +I do not want her to do anything to make herself ill." + +"That is my good girl," Mr. Lawrence replied, heartily; "but I imagine +we can arrange everything satisfactorily. Suppose we begin by seeing +what we can do with the two hours between now and lunch-time," and he +drew a new book from one of his pockets as he spoke; "I think I have +something nice here for you both." + +He wheeled an easy-chair into the bay-window, where the sun shone in +most invitingly, and made Violet occupy it; then, with Bertha on a +hassock at his feet, he began to read a recent and extremely interesting +story. + +The two hours slipped by on magic wings and then, as Mary appeared with +a tray of tempting viands, Mr. Lawrence invited himself to lunch with +them, and they had a right merry time together as they ate. + +A little later he ordered the carriage, and they all went for a drive, +returning just in time to prepare for dinner. + +Violet had not dined with the family since her injury, for, having only +one hand at her command, she was sensitive about appearing awkward. But +to-day Mr. Lawrence particularly requested that she would favor them +with her presence again, if she felt able to come down. + +She flushed. + +"I am so helpless----" she began, when he interrupted her, saying, with +a strange note in his voice, which she had never heard before: + +"And for that very reason, I wish to make myself useful to you; besides, +Bertha and I are very lonely without you." + +The color grew deeper upon Violet's cheek, for both his look and tone +were very earnest; but she promised to come down to dine with them, and +then ran up to her room to make some slight change in her attire. + +During dinner Mr. Lawrence was kindly attentive. He cut her meat for +her, and unostentatiously prepared whatever would be awkward for her to +manage, talking all the while upon some entertaining subject, and made +himself so agreeable and helpful throughout the meal that Violet was +glad that she had consented to resume her place at the table. + +After that she came down every day, and grew quite used to having him +care for her, and found it very pleasant, too. + +"He is like a dear, kind father, only a great deal more thoughtful and +attentive than most fathers would be," she told herself, when thinking +it over afterward, and how he had interposed in every way to prevent her +from feeling awkward in accepting his attentions. + +Mr. Lawrence kept his word--he would allow no more lessons while she was +crippled, but planned some amusement or pleasant trip for every day, +until she was entirely well. + +Once she remonstrated against the idle life she was leading. + +"Mr. Lawrence," she said, "I do not feel right about this. I ought to be +at work--I am not earning my salt." + +"And why should you?" he asked, gravely. + +"But I came here to perform certain duties, and I am doing nothing but +playing--just drifting along, and having a pleasant time," she +explained. + +"I hope so; but I am very sorry if you feel any weight of obligation, +when that should rest upon me," he returned, in the same tone as before. +"Miss Huntington, do you imagine that it is nothing to me that you saved +my child from some serious accident--perhaps from death? Do you think me +so ungrateful as not to wish to do everything possible for you, when you +have suffered so much in your efforts to save her? I hope we shall hear +no more about your earning your salt--that, and everything else, has +been already earned a good many times over," he concluded, with a +luminous smile. + +Violet had not thought of it in this way before, but she was effectually +silenced, and objected no more at anything he chose to do for her. + +One rainy morning, they had an unusually merry time over a humorous +story which Mr. Lawrence read to them. + +"What a jolly time we are having, papa!" Bertha remarked, with a +long-drawn breath of content, when the story was concluded. + +"You are right, pet, and I only hope you will always be as happy," her +father returned, fondly, as he stroked her glossy hair. + +"Of course, I am sorry that Miss Huntington's arm had to be broken," the +child continued, naively, "but we have had such a delightful time during +these last three weeks that I wish it could always last, don't you?" + +"It would be very pleasant, Bertha," said her father, musingly. + +"I think we three make just the nicest chums," the little miss went on; +"wouldn't it be fine if we could stay so and always be together?" + +Mr. Lawrence's fine eyes were resting upon the fair face of his child's +governess at that moment, and there was a strangely wistful look in +them, a tender, tremulous expression about his handsome mouth, also. + +"It would, indeed, dear," he said, more as if speaking to himself than +in answer to her, but in such an intensely earnest tone that it sent a +sudden thrill through Violet's heart. + +Involuntarily she lifted her eyes, met his look, and something in it +made the hot blood come surging up to her brow and lose itself amid the +waves of golden hair that lay in such pretty confusion there. + +"Don't you wish so, too, Miss Huntington?" Bertha questioned, turning to +her, and all unconscious that she was treading upon delicate ground. + +Violet's eyes drooped, and she turned to the window to hide the vivid +color in her cheeks. + +She hesitated a moment before replying to the child's question, then she +said, in a low, quiet voice: + +"I have been very happy since I came to stay with you, dear." + +The further trials and experiences of Violet and how her future +happiness was secured is told in the sequel to this story entitled "With +Heart So True," and is published in handsome cloth binding uniform with +this volume. + + +THE END. + + + + +Popular Copyright Books + +AT MODERATE PRICES + +Any of the following titles can be bought of your +bookseller at the price you paid for this volume + + +Alternative, The. By George Barr McCutcheon. +Angel of Forgiveness, The. By Rosa N. Carey. +Angel of Pain, The. By E. F. Benson. +Annals of Ann, The. By Kate Trimble Sharber. +Battle Ground, The. By Ellen Glasgow. +Beau Brocade. 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