His Heart's Queen

her being unfavorable-a cold wind prevailing-the physician would not

o out for an airing, telling her to remain as long as she liked, and jus

d not urge it; but in her pretty, imperious way she insisted that he must help her out int

t, and every morning as soon as the n

sation, but this could not always be, for her household duties

book; but more frequently they spent the time conversing, growing every day mo

hour spent in the fair girl's presence was

ains of his love more hopelessly about him. Her exquisite beauty, her artless, impulsive manner, the glance of her beautiful eyes, all

ad-ought never to speak words of love to the delicate girl who had been reared amid the luxuries of wea

ecipice toward which they were drifting, thinking only of the enjoyment of the moment, persisted in seeing him, day

a woman of many social obligations, and thought if she simply came to i

, and fondly imagined that everything was all right; never suspecting the mischief-as she

oved, and on the same day, when Mrs. Mencke paid her usual

news in silence, but a great darkness s

ed to Mrs. Richardson, and the woman

here-it is such a quiet, peaceful place, and you have been so kind to me, I really f

face lifted to hers, though an expression of

patient invalid, and it has been simply a pleasure to have you here. Still, your home is so deligh

, while a great longing seemed to sweep over her: "I know that my home is

," said Mrs. Richardson, reprovingly. "That is

is fond of me, after a fashion; but she is a society woman, and always full of engagements, while Wilhelm cares fo

irl had found a long-felt void filled by the

yearned over the fair invalid. She also had longed for a loving daughter, to

round to her lips. She was naturally an affectionate little

rdson, and you will let me come to see yo

the young girl's evident affection for her; but she changed the subject, and began to chat entertainingly up

he Richardsons in Hughes street, and the colored driver presented a note from Mrs. Mencke, saying that Violet was to return home at

drive, while her heavy eyes often turned to the door lead

u will come to see me, will you not?" she said

are all ready now, I believe," she concluded, as she folded a light shawl about her shoulde

irresolute a mome

Mr. Richardson?" and a burning flush mou

went to assist the nurse to put Violet's things in the carriage, the young girl moved slowly toward the sit

with downcast eyes. "I-I hope you will soon be quite well again; bu

that way again," Wallace returned, speaking almost cold

hen Violet was gone, for she might as well be going out of the world alto

for some favorite of fortune to win? He was suffering torture, a

tartled look to his face

know that you have saved my life. I shall never forget it as long as I live, and you must let me unburden

. She was so fair, so eager, he

ery good to think of it," he said, with a thrill in hi

much," she returned, brightening; "

Wallace said, hastily; "something that

elt that he was betraying too

nd her pulses leaped at his words,

have worn," she

s, gleamed several valuable rings, but she instinctive

are for a bracelet-he wo

e her collar was fastened with a beautiful brooch to whic

ve it to me one birthday-you shall have the pendant to

e ornament and he

nameled pansy, a tiny diamond in its centre, on one si

hought of nothing that would afford him so muc

you of your mother's g

Violet said, eagerly, and looking so lovely in her earnestness that he

u will not regre

sily detach it, for it is only

turned, smiling, and glancing down at his bandag

aking a pair of scissors that lay upon the table, she easily pr

elt that fate was very cruel to force him to keep silent when his heart was so full of a deathless lov

ot impatiently upon

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

auty and her artless, impulsive ways, and it required all his m

d I cannot,

questioned, in a s

a laborer-I have little

e your arm will be strong enough to allow you to go back to

e knew, too, that he must not put himself in the way of temptation;

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, ar

or all, of my friends, and I promise that you shall receive a most cordial welcome in my

d ever held it thus, and the last, he told himself-with almost a feeling of despair, for

in his heart, as he saw two diamond-like drops fall upon the velvet cushions a

ng look from a pair of azure eyes, Violet was gone, and that humble home in Hughes street seemed, to one person

olet home, for Mrs. Mencke had not returned, an

her own room, where, after removing her wraps and dismissing her maid, she threw herself upon her bed in a passion of tea

eeping, but looking feverish, the tears still upon her cheeks, and

und herself gazing up into th

be at home again," Mrs. Mencke remarked,

to a deep sigh, but he

" she at last said, glancing

ited of late," said Mrs. Mencke, with a contemptuous laugh. "Why, t

home-like there, and everything was very nea

, isn't it?" demanded her sister, sharply, fo

iolet asked, anxious to change the subject, an

had only been well I certainly should have taken you; I don't know when I have attended so brilliant

anticipation of this event and Mrs. Mencke was s

n 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 di

to the acquaintance, but she had yet to learn that there wer