His Heart's Queen

that he had come in person to reply to her letter, her cheeks fairly blazing with

le with a sudden

the outcome of

g her happine

e as the delicate lace about her throat, she went

artment, but stopped and turned eagerly toward Violet as she entered, his face

t of it however as he

! are you ill?" he cried

ear voice, for the tremulous tenderness in it told her that his

itching little smile began to quiver about her lovely lips

ly afraid that I had done

ld the girl whom he so fondly loved from rashly doing what she might regret later, gave way

he 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 dea

t sighed, tremulously. "After my letter had gone, and I tried to think over what I had writte

y sorry?" questioned Wal

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, althou

it was simply a truthful expression of a pure and noble nature, the spontaneous outburst of a holy affection responding to the

touched his lips

ng such a straightforward course. Still," he added, with a slight smile, "I did not come here intendi

ked, quickly, and dartin

derstanding, 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 yo

flushed

ction of my sister or her husband

ot to take you at your word until I had assured myself that you fully understood all that it would involve;

o do this now?" V

are not of age

Violet said, with burning cheeks, but thinking it

overty and humble positi

eir idol," the young

promise to become my wife, until I have earned a position and a compete

from her, and stood er

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 s

ent, while he wondered if there was

more surely bound to him if their marriage vows had already been

hat 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

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

ng her sweet face to his, he touched her l

to inquire how long you have been

n the lovers like an unexpected thunderclap, and, starting to her feet, V

d by the scene which she had just witnessed to utter a word, while there w

light uplifting of her fair head which those who knew her best understood to indicate a gatherin

t you and Belle had go

, it seems," sneered the angry master of the house, as he glared

ngly. "When you went out I had no thought of receiving visitors; but of that I will speak with you later. Allow me t

ut neither Mr. Mencke nor his wife acknowledged the introduction otherwise than by bes

judge from the touching scene just enacted that th

d both the intruders, and reckless of the consequ

as she sprang forward and seized the y

group, "and pray give me your attention for a moment while I explain wha

s occurred this evening. Mr. Richardson, in an unguarded moment, revealed to me the fact that he enterta

jaculated Mrs. Menc

ss, 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 p

ity of all this, for it is really my place to shield her. I love her with all the strength of my nat

retorted Mrs. Mencke,

, and you will best suit us, young man, by making yourself scarc

re to insult a friend of mine in your own house?" cried Violet, q

spirit which might be difficult to manage; consequent

t in a more conciliatory tone; "but of course we are very much astonishe

hall be eighteen in two months," Violet quietly int

encke

which had been an elopement, because of a stern parent's objections to the man

marry at eighteen,"

be the man whom I shall marry, and I want the matter understood once for all,"

rpenter the way out," Mr. Mencke remarked, contemptuously, as if he real

e him wince; then turning, she

h that relatives of mine can stoop to offer any one suc

Violet; but it is best that I should go now, and we will settle this

and preserve his self-control; but fo

oung girl pleaded, her small finge

d in a strong y

you yourself ask i

to them. "I have given Wallace my promise that I will be his wife, and he has said

control of hersel

ips "with rage, you will at once retract that

from being the cause of any disturbance in your household, and since this union, which appears to cause you such uneasines

t. Give me your word of honor that you will never claim the fulfillment of Vi

ed how determined they were to separate them. "I love your sister, and if she is of the same mi

hange-that I shall not retract one word that I have said to-night,

n be just as relentless as yourself, and you will make me the promise I dem

to her lover's face with such an expression of affection and trust that he longed t