His Heart's Queen

the private parlor of her friend, Nellie Bailey,

er feet and springing forward to meet her visitor, "you h

will let me," Violet replied, returning the e

nly too glad to have you. But how happy you

and her eyes dro

answered, her face dimpling with smiles, and Nellie

," she cried; "and will y

I have not set any time for my return. I shall go for thre

lan to study music with me,"

t we two girls would get into mischief if left to ourselves. I suppose I shall travel with

r hour, while during the meal the family were all so agreeable and entertaining-for Violet was a great favorite with them-that

t she was not entirely happy in her home; and when, shortly after dinner, Mrs. Mencke called and asked to see

d both been outwitted, and she had come to Mrs. Bailey's prepared, not to apolo

disarmed her, and she passed over the affair much m

clared that if her sister would not promise to let her alone-if she persisted in the persecution of the last few days, she wou

valor," for she realized that her young sister's spirit was too strong for her, and that she would d

onable child, and I will not endure such treatment," Violet indignan

we will let by-gones be by-gones," Mrs. Mencke responded, in a conciliatory tone. "I am glad that you have decided

ith her; but you may send for me early tomorrow, for I suppos

o--" Mrs. Mencke began, anxiously, for she could not rid herself

man now-I have my own rights, and there are some things upon which you shall not tren

She told herself that strategy wa

ocial chat, after which she took her leave, promising t

and without any further trouble betwee

or twice the young girl managed to evade her vigilance. Whether she met Wallace or not she had no means of ascert

ed by several friends, repaired to New York, where they

llace Richardson advance and greet Violet with all the assurance of an accepted suitor; while the young girl herself,

a call to go to New York on business, and he wou

rom the sight of men; but as he met Mrs. Mencke's angry glance he courteously

ged woman was obliged to curb her passion; but she thanked the fates that Violet wa

d, but, in the confusion which everywhere prevailed, they managed to slip ou

ly stepped between a couple of stacks of baggage for a few last words to each other, whi

uld be, now that the time has arrived," Wallace said, as he took

the hot tears rushed into her eyes. "I will not-I will stay,

know it is better that you should go-be

olet said, with an air of decision. "I coul

ou can be contented to remain a year, I believe it would be a good plan for you to do so. Meantime I wi

er, Wallace, and you will be sure to

, in fact, than I have yet known, for our clandestine meetings have been very galling to me. I n

rned Violet; "but we

ated us if they could; but this faithful little heart could not be won from its allegiance;

ver his with a convulsive

Wallace," she huskily murmured. "Oh!" she cried, with a sudden s

no one can see us; therefore give me just one parting kiss, and that

ing her to his breast with a close, yearning clasp,

ke the light from my world whe

forth from their hiding-place towa

would have to go without saying good-by to you," Mrs. Mencke exclaimed,

else a last farewell, and presently the cry, "All ashore!" sounded, an

the last hand that touched Violet's, his the las

f my heart, and H

the gang-plank, just a

and she sped down to her state-room, where, half an ho

ook as if you were very much elated over the prospect of going to Europe. Are all the tears for that handsome young man who appeare

murmured, be

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

ctical suggestion, and wiping away her tears. "I love the water, and I want to make the

er," Nellie answered, "and I will try what I can do in that respect, al

ndy for the voyage, then they went up on the deck to seek their fri

the grieved droop about her sweet mouth, then set herself to divert her mi

ces. She could be delightful in a drawing-room full of cultured people; she could entertain a group o

cent sadness, and the young girl soon found herself laughing heartily over some droll

s became so gay and merry that two gentlemen, standing a s

it, Ralph?" remarked

about as pretty a pair of girls as I have

. That golden-haired one is a perfect little Hebe; her complexion and features are perfect, her fi

" laughed his companion. "I never knew you to express

ryly. "We must manage some way to make the

nd lifted Violet's jaunty hat from her head and sent it flying toward the two distinguished-lookin

nd, with a quick, agile movement, one sweep of his strong

ace, and an air of courtly politeness, h

he bird that took such

which nestled so jauntily in its brow

neath his admiring look, and Mrs. Hawley graci

ty," she said, in her cordial, outspoken way; "th

n returned, lifting his hat in

though he longed to stay, but Mr. Hawley, who had been att

e, may I ask to whom we are indebted? My name is Hawl

and I am known as Vane Cameron. I am as yet connected with

ron who married the Earl of Sutherland's daughter about the time of our marriage. It created considerable t

ntroduced her to the handsome young stranger, and then he proceede

, neither very dark nor very light, with a clear-cut patrician face, a

ith his new acquaintances for a few moments, and

n having secured a very pleasant addition to her party, for Mr. Ralph Henderson proved

Mr. Anson Cameron and the grandson of the late Earl of Sutherland, consequently the heir of the distinguished peer; and, more

Hawley also learned that Mr. Ralph Henderson belonged to an aristocrati

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 nam