Sweet Violet

If Cecil could have seen that look of deadly hate in Amber’s eyes, and read the wicked thoughts in her mind, he would have snatched Violet in his strong arms, and fled away with her to some safe refuge from the cloud of woe lowering darkly over that lovely golden head.

But Amber’s seeming kindness had lulled every suspicion in his mind to rest. He believed that she was the only friend he and Violet had in their love affair.

But he might have prayed in a new version of the litany:

“From all false friends and wicked schemers, good Lord, deliver us!”

Just now he could think of nothing clearly but the intoxicating bliss of Violet’s nearness, and the shy gladness of her dark-blue eyes as they dwelt on his, so dark, so true, so tender.

He placed his hand fondly over hers, thrilling with joy at the soft contact, and poured out, in love’s tender phrases, low and deep, all his joy at seeing her again.

But Violet, with a shy consciousness of Amber’s presence, rejoined, softly and anxiously:

“Oh, Cecil, we have no time even to rejoice over this happy meeting, for I want you to advise me how to escape from the perils that surround me.”

And, clasping her white hands in piteous terror, she added:

“Oh, I am so frightened, Cecil, at the dark and cruel fate that seems lowering over my head! I have no peace by day or night. Terrible dreams startle me from sleep, and fill me with forebodings of evil!”

“My darling, you are weak and nervous, that is all. There is no real danger, for, as I have written to you every day, they cannot force you into an unwilling marriage. Only be courageous, and persist in refusing Harold Castello’s suit, and all will be well. Judge Camden will give up his plan when he finds you are determined not to yield.”

“Ah, you do not know grandpapa as well as I do, Cecil. I fear his power, he is so harsh and cruel!”

“Not cruel to you, my little love, for no one could be that!” cried the doting lover.

Suddenly Amber looked around at them, the angry frown all gone as if by magic, from her dark and brilliant face.

“I beg pardon for interrupting,” she began, “but really I see that I must speak a word for Violet.”

“A hundred if you wish!” he said, courteously.

“Cecil, you do not really comprehend the perils that environ poor Violet, because we have kept back from you a startling fact.”

“Oh, Amber——” Violet began, piteously.

“Hush, dear; I will tell Cecil the truth! He ought to know the real reason of your illness. I am ashamed of my grandfather, but he must know that it was a cruel blow from that old man’s hand that struck you senseless to the floor, and almost cost your life!”

How nobly indignant she looked as she uttered the words! Who could guess that, deep in her heart, Amber was furious that the cruel blow had not ended her rival’s innocent life.

“Oh!” breathed Cecil Grant, in deadly wrath and amazement, while the veins stood out on his forehead like whip-cords, and his hands involuntarily clinched themselves as though they were round the throat of the dastard who had sunk so low to all gentlemanly instincts as to strike a woman.

“Oh, Amber, I wished Cecil never to hear that!” cried Violet, in deep distress.

“It was best that he should know it, Violet, so that he might be roused to a sense of your danger. Grandpapa is a cruel, violent old man, and almost loses his reason when thwarted in any darling plan. He is determined that Violet shall marry this proud millionaire, and if she continues to defy his commands, I tremble for her very life!” shuddered Amber, acting her part so superbly that no one could doubt that she loved and pitied Violet with real cousinly affection.

Ah, Heaven defend the noble heart from insidious foes, who work in the dark—foes, who, in the guise of friendship, smile in the face, with a hidden sword in the hand! Of all enemies these are the most to be feared and scorned.

There is something brave at least in open defiance and enmity, but the soul recoils from the foe in ambush, from lying lips and deceitful hearts!

She, the beautiful traitress, watched Cecil’s bitter wrath with secret satisfaction, knowing that it would bend him more easily to her plans.

“That old man, to dare to strike you, my Violet! It is incredible! But he shall suffer for his villainy. I will challenge him to fight. I—I—will kill him!” raved Cecil, in sudden, deadly anger, his eyes flashing luridly.

“Oh, no, no, no, dear Cecil, you must not harm that old man—you shall not! I forgive him freely!” cried Violet in terror.

“No, you must not harm him,” added Amber, “you must not wreak revenge on our grandfather; you must simply take measures to remove Violet beyond reach of his fatal anger.”

His face paled with despair, and he cried, wretchedly:

“Ah, Heaven, what can I do? Judge Camden will not give his consent to our marriage, and as she is his ward still, she could not marry me without.”

“But you can elope with Violet,” cried Amber, boldly.

There was a start from Cecil, a little shriek from Violet, and Amber continued:

“Washington is but an hour’s ride from here, and you could marry Violet there, you know, in defiance of the whole world. I can plan the elopement for you if you will trust to my judgment. In fact, I have been thinking it over some time, for I knew it was the only way to save Violet from Judge Camden’s fury.”

Cecil looked at Violet with dark, eager eyes.

“Would you be willing, my darling?” he breathed, tenderly.

Sweet Violet shrank and trembled.

“Oh, I had hoped never to be forced to this!” she murmured. “You know, Amber, how my poor mother brought reproach upon herself by her runaway marriage with my father.”

“Yes, I have heard all about it, and I never blamed poor Marie Camden in the least. Her father almost forced her to it, just as he is now forcing you, Violet,” replied Amber, instantly.

Cecil took his little love’s hand in his and pressed it warmly, as he murmured:

“I have but a poor home to offer you, my darling, in exchange for all the luxury of Golden Willows; but if you will come to me, I will love you more than life.”

“Like the Lord of Burleigh,” laughed Amber, repeating:

Violet’s eyes were shining through a mist of tender tears, her cheeks flushed rosily, and she returned the tender pressure of her lover’s hand.

“Cecil, I am not afraid of poverty with you,” she cried, bravely. “I only dreaded the world’s reproach. But why should I care for that, since we shall be all the world to each other? I am afraid of grandpapa, I love you, and I should be charmed to live at picturesque Bonnycastle, with that sweet lady, your beautiful mother. So I will run away with you at any time you say so. And Amber, you must be the bridesmaid, dear.”

“I will,” was the gay reply, and Amber said to herself that she would not miss being the bridesmaid for anything, but her smile just then was not good to see.

“Now that we have decided on the elopement, I had better take Violet home, for if we stay too long, Judge Camden may come out to look for us,” she added.

“Will you bring Violet out again to-morrow?” Cecil asked, anxiously.

“I will try, and, unless grandpapa is in a bad humor, I may succeed. But, at any rate, I will be here, and will decide on our plans for the elopement,” declared Amber.

He kissed Violet’s little hand with tender passion, then they drove away, leaving him alone in the quiet road, watching them and praying and hoping that Violet would come again, to-morrow.

An impulse came over him to go and tell his mother that he would soon bring bonny Violet home to her for a daughter, to live in the old ruin of a place, and shed brightness over it, after the manner of all young, joyous things.

But half-way home he changed his mind.

“It is better she should not know. Then no one can say that she aided and abetted me in eloping with the granddaughter of the rich Judge Camden.”

He knew that Violet would be sure of a welcome from his stately mother, and he decided not to tell her anything, but to take her by surprise with his bonny bride.

He turned back toward his office, dizzy with joy, and revolving plans for fitting up the prettiest rooms at Bonnycastle for his darling’s use. He was sure that he could afford some pretty, simple, new furniture, and the blue and white hangings to brighten up the place. And, as for flowers, there were loads of them at home, and Violet delighted in them. Besides, he would love her so dearly, he would pet her so much that she should be too happy to miss the splendors she had enjoyed at Golden Willows.