IN THE NICK OF TIME.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1095, 26 October 1869, Page 3

IN THE NICK OF TIME.

A STORY IN TWO CHAPTEBS.r— CHAPTBB{Xi;;:y (From «? Caasell's __aga_lne, M for Auguat.) .'< . :' ; 1 "Mr dear," said Colonel Kean to hi^ wife,' "I have noticed with much pleE_riicreHh«s_ '[ Mr. Greville has paid Violet a gqb'd : 4eaPp?- ( attention lately. Now you know thatkt my death the girls have but a moire trifle tor expect, so that it is most desirable 'they' should marry well. In fact, Tin quite ; determined that neither Violet nor I&urashall throw themselves away in the absurd manner Mary has. The idea of accepting!' a curate, with a wretched pittance of two hundred per annum ! Utter My j ; and so she'll find it to be in a few years, ' if ; she hasn't already." "But, James," interposed Mrs. Kean\ gently, "do you really think Violet could ever care for a manso much older than herself ? Why, he must be sixty atleast, and she is but nineteen. To be sure, lie is a most charming man, but hardly attractive, I think, to so young a girl ; besides, I cannot help fancying she still cares for Ernest Vansittart. You know how much they were thrown together, and since he went to India, Violet has grown thoughtful and quiet, and there is often a troubled look on her face." "Stuff and nonsense 1" exclaimed the colonel, marching up and. down the room. ♦'Alice, I must really beg that you won't put any such rubbish into the girl's head. Care about young Vansittart, indeed! Per-' haps she did. But, of course, that's all at an end now. Why, the fellow has been gone a year— quite time for any girl .to forget him. Besides, even if she were devoted to him, it's no use. He hasn't a sixpence to bless himself with, except bis pay and fifty pounds a year. - No ! I am resolved that Violet shall be Mrs. Greville. What more can the girl want? Herßert , Greville is still fine-looking, and most gen-' erous and kind-hearted, Greville Park a splendid old place ; and Violet may think herself lucky if she is mistress of it, with a good husband, and not less that twenty thousand a year." Down among the rocks on the sea shore sat Violet. The large, dark eyes are misty with unshed tears, as she gazes over the , quiet waters, glittering and sparkling in the sunshine. A book in her hand, but she is not reading. Her thoughts are back in the past, and she is wondering if Ernest cares for her still, as he said he did, that summer evening, one year ago, when he came to say. good-bye. How her heart had throbbed with happiness when he whispered tenderly that she was " all the world to him, and that the stars would wander in their course' sooner than his love change." .While she is absorbed in thought, some one comes quietly behind her, and she turns round to see Laura's bright face. " Dreaming away as usual, Violet ?" she says. "Do try and not look so miserable. You should really do your best to forget all about Ernest. You know so well he can never be more to you than he is now. Don't cry, dearest," and she knelt down by her sister. " But indeed, it would be so much better in every way if you would rouse yourself. Mamma said, only the other day, that you were so melancholy, it quite grieved her to see you." Just a year ago to-day, Laura, since he was here saying good-bye. I am sure it seems at least three or four. I will try in future and be more cheerful ; but don't — don't tell me to forget Ernest," she sobbed out, "for I never could do that, even if it were my wish. After to-day, though, I will try and not think so much of the past. It certainly can do no good. I shall probably never see him again. Oh ! Laura, why is it that all nice men are poor ? Look at old Mr. Greville. He has twenty thousand a year and that lovely house and park. Oh ! if only Ernest had it." " Yes, I dare say, but you see he hasn't. Goodness me ! Here he is ; I don't mean Ernest, but Mr. Greville, coming along with papa." "Well, girls," observes Colonel Kean, " here you are. Mr. Greville has brought you some flowers, which he has just left in the house, and here he is to be thanked." "I shall consider myself more» than thanked if Miss Kean will accept them." And Herbert Greville looks into the handsome face which has haunted him continually the last few weeks. "Humph!" mutters Laura aside, "evidently the flowers are not for me. He is almost blushing, poor old thing. Ido believe he is dreadfully smitten with Violet." "It is so kind of you, Mr. Greville," Voilet begins ; but here Colonel Kean puts ; in his word. "Kindl I should think so, indeed! Why, there is ah immense basket full of them. You must have chopped away right and left, Greville. Nice state of mind your gardener will be in, if he is like most of his order. Now let's come in te luncheon, eh ?" Colonel Kean posts off with Laura at such a rate, it is quite impossible for the others to keep up with them. "Is your book interesting, Miss Kean? I see you have one with you. May I look at it?" : After a few momenta, during which he has glanced into the volume, Herbert- ' Greville says, "I have read it; but though interesting, and no doubt particularly so to young ladies, it is too sad a story for my taste. There is so much sorrow in real life that it is strange to me how people can find pleasure in reading about the troubles of imaginary beings." "I rather like a melancholy story," observes Violet, "so long as it ends well." " Ah, yes ! so long as it ends well." And then Mr. Greville looks at the girl by his side, and wishes his own story (which* has been a sad one) may have a happy termination, and that by some means or other she may in time care for him. Colonel and Mrs. Kean are standing at the drawing-room window, as Herbert Greville and Violet come up the garden path. "Now, Alice, don't they look well together, eh? Greville is deoidedly handsome, though not so young as he might be ; and how upright ! 'Poa my word, one would think that man must have been in the Bervice. It's going' on capitally, my dear. Good notion, his y sending flowers so often, eh?" "Dear James, don't let us count too much on it. One can never tell how things may turn out. Perhaps Violet may. not be able to care for him after.all." ; y y . " I tell you, Alice, she; must care for him. >.- : And as to any romantic -nonsense <aboufc y young Vansittart, why, the sooner she I gete it put of her h^ the better} though if ■>

my belief, ii^^[fo^ii6(i/Ijib,.^liow entirely." - At luncheon, Mr, Greville speaks of a picnio^he intends; gi*ing> ittf three' -week's time, or so. Colonel- Kean enters into the plan most heartily ; for, as .. he .afterwards observes tq, his wife, "wouldn't have a better opportunity, eh ? if he hasn't proposed bsqre,.l(hen." 1 • .:. ; ,-'.',■;;•:■ ■ In the afternoon,, Colonel Kean and his daug^w n wiilk hose with Mr. Greville, . to see pomer. new plant ip his conservatory, Laurja.is. dragged on most .energetically, ,in , spitesf the heat, by her father, who is resolveA^that; tjiere y shall ; ;be.a little more quiet,. qon versation betrw een those two persons left so far behind. : .. : " Come along,. Laura. I Dear me, child I can't you walk/ any quicker than, this ?!' " Why, papa, I am doing my best tp keep , up with you ; but please, to remember it is a ' hot day,? Violet, '< ? Violet , was talking to Mr. Greville this morning ; she can't have anything more, tes^^^ I'm sure." " You know nothing about it whatever, miss ; so keep your opinion till it is asked for," says the colonel sharply. Laura pan hardly avoid laughing, but after thiis rebuke subsides into silence. That night the sisters have a long talk before going to bed. Laura ; throws open the window, and sitting down near it, remarks, " Well Vi, I hope, you are beginning to like old Greville.* '7,' , « Why do i you ask ?" " Why' do I ask ? you'll have to like him,, and very much too, before long, I can tell you, my dear. . Papa has made up his mind that you shall be Mrs. Oreville ; can't you make up yours in the same way?"' "Lau^ what nonsense you talk. Mr. GreviUe, would be a charming friend, but as to marrying him, that is a different thing f "' ; „• Well," said the younger sister sagely, "I am inclined to think that though money does not always bring happiness, there is very little, happiness without it. And I can iinagiUe; a much worse fate than being the wife of '"Mr. Greville." An hour later the two girls, were asleep. Round Violet's neck hung a ribbon, to which; a gold locket was-attached. It was lucky Colonel Kean did not know whose likeness ; it contained, nor for whose sake that locket, was worn day and night. * weeks have passed by. Colonel and Bffrs. Kean are calling on their married daughter,, -who is much interested in all tijey.luiye to tell her. "You can't think, T , Mary," says Mrs. Kean, "how devoted he is to Violet. I am sure there is nothing he would . not. do for her. We have seen ,a great deal of him lately, and I am convinced he. will make her an excellent husbancl." , *'Yes," interrupts the Colonel, who must do all the talking, or he is wretqhedj "he is quite devoted. In fact, there $3. no. doubt but that he will propose at the picnic to-morrow. It is some time how. since he first paid her any attention, and take my word for it, Mary, the affair v^ill be settled to-morrow." ''Of course she'll accept him," observes Mrs. C01e. "... "He is such a nicej kind man, and, she surely could not refuse twenty thousand a year." \ "Refuse!" almost shouted the colonel. "The girl must, have lost her senses who would refuse, such an offer. But certainly, young ladies, of the present day seem bent upon, doing as they please, whether it is nonsensical or not. .However," turning to his wife, "you had better tell Violet from me f hat I insist on her obedience to my wishes in this matter. , I am quite sure she will, never, regret it. ,, Now I'll leave you and Mary to have a, quiet talk, and shall go oversand ask Greville to come in for a game of chess thiis .evening," "Don't you. hope it will be fine tomorrow, Violet?" And Laura links her arm in that of her sister, as they stroll about the garden .after dinner. "There's a red sky, and look at the mist rising in that field. Those are good signs." "I^aura, never mind, the, weather now. ,1 have something to tell you. What do you think mamma has said to me to-day? That she and papa are sure Mr. « Greville means to make me an ofler to-morrow,. and that they consider it ray duty to accept him. Oh! I hope he won't .ask me." And as she. spoke her voice trembled, and the pretty hand closed firmly, over a gold locket round her throat. "Laura, do you think I must be his wife?" ;. "YeSj.l.dOi indeed! You, say that no one can ever be to you what Ernest was. He is- away ; never likely to be able to marry you, even if he returned. I am sure; no one could ; be kinder than Mr. Greville, and he almost worships you, Violet. He sits gazing as if he could never move his eyes from, your face,, and J shan't tell you all the. nice things he says to me about you;" ,i - -.-.. .p ■-. The sisters werenofc aware that the subject of their, conversation was looking at them from a little distance off. Herbert Greville was coming through the garden on his way to play chess with Colonel Kean. He paused when he saw Violet. Hidden .behind the bushes, he looked at her,, his; eyes overflowing with love and tenderness;) a strange feeling at his heart, as he thought of the morrow, and of all it mig^t bring, to hira. Colonel Kean was right in bis surmise.; . Mr. Greville had reeolved that, he would find or make an opportunity at the. picnic, in his own grounds, to ask Violet if she could consent to be "an old man's darling." His life had been a lonely one; for long years ago death had robbed him . of those dearest, on' earth. . For one brief year married! to the woman he idolised,, his happiness had been great indeed ; . but at the end of ihatitime the. fair young, wife faded and died, leaving him all alone, save for a blueeyed baby.' v--i That summer night, when she passed iaway. froth a sin and sorrow-stained world-rtr-hpwyoften :he ; has thought of it since, sitting at his lonely hearth through the long whiter evenings ! So vividly did memory recall the scene, that he almost ex-pected-to feel again the soft hand in his, and ito hear, the gentle voice faintly breathe out itsjfiirewell. .'The bluer eyed boy grew up, and there came- a dull grey morning, a " Good-bye, and God; lalesist > you, ,my, ; boy, and sendyou: safe home, V.and. and young Gre- j viUewiasoffto the Crimea' with his regisnenti' One bright morning, dome months after, Herbert Greville opens ; a letter, < in h^dw_itin|i>unknown> to him. As ihe ireads/'allf tile ; lifef seems to die out<of his lacef and with agroan of anguish he falls forward on the table. That letter told

— Bwwwwwi- ' ' " —— . ; him that he was "bereft". indeed, for his dearly r love il son h'^dfalleii in battle. ,','.. , La^y^PMS.ertVGw^ has thought less bf.the pasts and more of the bright, happy future which may yet be his, can he., but' wiA the girl he now gazes upon so fondly. r . Laura and Violet are deep in conversation, and do not see him as he passes into the house, where Colonel Kean impatiently awaits ; his arrival* ;> . - After tea, Mrs. Kean begs Violet to sing. Mr. Greville asks for c " Forget thee." Violet tries to avoid complying with this request, for the song was given her by Ernest Vansittart, and was a great favorite of his. Her father, however,, insisted. Scarcely was the last verse concluded; when she abruptly left the room j with difficulty restraining her tears. The song had recalled so much of the past—that past which 'twere best she should never let her mind dwell on, if intending to obey her father's wishes. . END OP CHAPTER THE PIBST.