Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller

“ 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:
“I can make no marriage present,
Little can I give my wife:
Love will make our cottage pleasant,
And I love you more than life.”
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. ”

“ I will never marry any man but my own dear Cecil.”
“Ah, Violet, how can you help yourself? Grandpapa’s will is law to us. We must obey him, for we owe him everything!” exclaimed Amber, craftily, advising the obedience she would not have yielded herself.
But Violet’s pale cheeks warmed rosily, and a flash of resentment brightened her languid eyes as she cried:
“I owe grandpapa obedience in everything but the sacrifice of my whole life, Amber. Why, it would be a wicked sin to marry another man, with my heart full of Cecil.” ”

“ Violet murmured, encouragingly, for her cousin had suddenly paused thoughtfully.
“Well, once upon a time,” resumed Amber, “a girl as young and beautiful as you wore that opal ring. Her name was Linda—Linda Grant—and she was young and gay and romantic, and as she was so charming, she had hosts of lovers; but, strange to say, none of them could win her favor. They said her mind was filled with visions of an ideal lover, grander and handsomer than any man she knew, and that for him she kept her heart.” ”

“ The calmness of despair breathed in the low, musical voice, the pallor of despair was on the exquisite face. She was no longer the simple girl, Violet, moved to tears or laughter at a breath; she was a woman who had lost her love, whose life lay in ruins, whose soul quailed in secret at its terrible betrayal.
She realized the despotic power of the man who had cheated her into this union, she knew as well as if he had already told her that this gilded cage was her prison, that she was surrounded by his minions, that nothing remained to her but submission or—death. ”

“ You would not have dreamed that such a beautiful body could have harbored such a wicked soul; yet at that moment she was thinking that her grandfather certainly looked very ill this morning, and that the secret anxiety that seemed to be consuming him would soon wear out his feeble life. Oh, how she exulted in the thought that at his death all her deep-laid schemes would be crowned with bright success. Violet was wedded to another, and out of the way, and she was betrothed to Cecil. Soon the old man would be dead, and she would inherit a fortune and could marry her lover whenever she chose. ”

“ Lavarre, who could remember nothing but the murder of her good old husband, and the betrayal of her innocent daughter, rejoiced in the knowledge that Harold Castello had passed to his dread account with offended Heaven.
“Ah, how strange is life!” cried poor Lena. “Do you remember, mother and Violet, how I told you about seeing Jacques Brown in a funeral procession, on its way to the cemetery? How strange that my own heart did not tell me that Harold Castello lay in that coffin under the nodding hearse plumes, on his way to the grave! ”

“ Love is so keen and strong, you know, and——”
“My God!” shuddered Amber, the cry wrung from her by such agony as she fancied only the condemned in torment could know.
Then she forced her writhing lips to utter calmer words:
“Grandpapa, I am terribly unnerved by this story you have told me, but I am hopeful that Violet is not dead. And, yes, I think you are right to intrust the search for her to Cecil Grant. Love is keen and strong, as you say. You ought not to be kept in suspense over this matter; and if you will permit me, I will go myself for Cecil Grant.” ”

“ To God alone must she look for help in this dark and fateful hour.
Dismissing her dark and evil mood, Violet fell on her knees by the white velvet couch, and with clasped hands and earnest, upraised eyes, prayed Heaven to aid her in this darkest hour of her young life, to look with pity on her terrible strait and deliver her safely from the power of the man she hated and feared. Then she prayed for her dear lost lover, that God would comfort him in his distress, and open up some way to save Bonnycastle from falling into the hands of her cruel grandfather. ”

“ She was consumed with curiosity over the man that Judge Camden had chosen for Violet’s husband.
“He says that he is as rich as the Vanderbilts, and that he has a palace in Chicago fit for a king. Violet could live like a queen and be covered with diamonds if she chose, but she prefers Cecil Grant’s love with a crust. So do I, alas, although riches would not go amiss, even with the man one loves,” sighing heavily.
But if everything went as she hoped, Amber would have all that she most desired—wealth and the love of the man for whom she was willing to risk her immortal soul. ”

“ This young man, this rich suitor for Violet’s hand, does he know that she is averse to his suit? Is he willing to accept an unwilling bride?”
“Grandpapa says that he knows all, and is willing to take Violet on any terms, feeling confident that he can win her heart after marriage.”
“He is a dastard!” cried Cecil, with kindling anger.
“Granted,” replied Amber, with a peculiar smile, and then she added: “But he is madly in love with her, and, being backed by her grandfather, is naturally eager to win the prize. So our only defense against him is to steal Violet away.” ”

“ What are you doing here?” asked Violet.
“Suzanne, miladi, your French maid. Monsieur, your husband, engage me to have care of you.”
“You must not call me miladi. I am an American girl and my name is Miss Mead.”
“Oh, madame, I crave pardon. You are married now. Do you forget? Your name it is Mrs. Harold Castello.”
She saw the beautiful face blanch to the hue of death, heard a stifled cry of anguish cross the pale lips, and cried out, soothingly.
“Be comforted. You have a rich and handsome husband. That is what all the ladies desire. Is it not so?” ”

“ One day her mother sent her into the heart of the city on an errand, and when she returned they saw by the expression [Pg 187] of her face that something startling had happened.
“What is it, my poor Lena? What has grieved you so much, and washed out all the light of your eyes in tears?” cried the anxious mother.
Lena had, indeed, been weeping bitterly all the way home. Her thick vail was wet with the tears she had shed.
With a stifled sob, she threw off her hat and wrap, and sank wearily into a chair, while Violet and her mother hung about her in surprise and sympathy. ”

“ Violet was as lovely as her namesake flower, a blonde, with curling golden hair, dazzling dark-blue eyes, a pink and white skin, and an arch, spirited face, where Cupid hid in bewitching dimples. She was barely seventeen, and Amber but one year older—Amber, the brilliant brunette, with her graceful, willowy form, so tall and slender, golden-hazel eyes, olive skin, and dark-brown tresses in smooth, satiny braids at the back of her proud little head. They were as different in mind as in looks, for Violet was frank, free, spirited, with a sunshiny nature ”

“ Harold Castello laughed again harshly, significantly.
“Ah, Violet, what an innocent baby you are! Can you dream that an angry, jealous rival can be turned into a friend?”
Something came into her throat, and seemed to choke her like a murderous hand.
“Do you not remember,” he continued, “that Amber once loved Cecil Grant, and was angry because you won him? She only duped you when she pretended forgiveness. All the while she was working against you. It was Amber who helped her grandfather in his pet scheme of making you my bride. It was her revenge.” ”

“ Judge Camden sprang from his chair, his handsome old hazel eyes glaring under the beetling white brows. He thundered, furiously:
“No, she isn’t, by Jupiter! She shall marry the man I’ve chosen for her! Cecil Grant, indeed, the young jackanapes! Poor as a church mouse, with nothing but a handsome face and a long pedigree! He’ll never get my Violet, the fortune-hunting young scamp! Go, Amber, and tell her to come here to me instantly!” ”

“ Is it any wonder that poor Violet shrank in fear from the villain that we chose for her husband?”
Amber sat trembling, overwhelmed, crying out in her heart that fate had played her a cruel, a terrible trick.
Violet was free, a rich young widow, and at any moment she might come to Bonnycastle and tell Cecil how cruelly they both had been deceived. Their reconciliation and marriage would soon follow. They would be fortunate and happy; while for her—wicked, unscrupulous Amber—nothing would remain but disgrace and sorrow and endless despair. ”

“ Cecil Grant is alive and well.”
“And loves me still,” she cried, suddenly lifting her hand on which the magnificent oriental opal glowed in rainbow hues. Then she saw above it a plain gold band, and wrenching it off, flung it far from her in disgust. “How dare you?” she half sobbed, in sudden, futile passion.
Harold Castello laughed lightly.
“As for his loving you still, that is doubtful. He believes you false to him, and your cunning rival will perchance catch his heart on the rebound.”
“Rival? I have no rival!” she panted, wildly.
“Do you forget your cousin, beautiful Amber Laurens?” ”

“ I tore myself from my poor mother’s couch, rushed to the stable, saddled Prince, and started for Washington at the maddest pace that ever man galloped to his bride. See how the sweat pours from Prince’s flanks, and my blood is rushing through my veins like fire. Violet will forgive me, I know, for my darling cannot help but sympathize with me in the blow that has almost killed my mother.”
“What is it, Cecil? for I, too, can sympathize with you in sorrow,” murmured Amber, very sweetly. ”

“ Grant beamed with pleasure and gratitude on the fair schemer, and Cecil murmured his thanks in a husky voice, and with a heavy heart, for although he said no word to his mother, he had an innate conviction of what Amber would expect in return for her generosity. He knew that the old love, so cleverly masked for a while under the guise of friendship, still lived in her heart, and how could he pay the loan he had accepted from her but by the sacrifice of his life, by offering his hand and name, without the heart that still belonged to Violet? ”

“ Oh, Violet, you won’t mind hearing this now, for you will soon be married to another, and then I know Cecil Grant will come back to me cured of his fleeting fancy for you! But, Violet, why do you laugh so wildly? Heavens! she is raving again!”
It was true. Violet was sitting upright in bed, her hair a cascade of tumbled gold about her shoulders, her cheeks crimson, her lovely eyes bright with fever. From her poor, parched lips poured incoherent babblings, mixed with sad plaints of her lover’s falsity. ”

“ Pacing the floor of her sumptuous apartment, like a beautiful, angry tigress, she brooded over her bitter defeat, and wondered how she could punish her cousin for the triumph she had won.
Nothing she could do to Violet seemed too cruel to satisfy her thirst for revenge.
She would have liked to see her cousin dead in her coffin, and stand by and hear the clods rattling harshly down upon her grave. The sound would have been music in Amber’s ears. From a beautiful, imperious, loving girl, she was transformed into a jealous, angry, revengeful woman. ”

“ The opal ring threw out a hundred changeful, shifting lights, and she suddenly recalled the words Cecil had uttered when he placed it on her hand:
“Let me put this little ring on your finger, precious. It is an opal, and is gifted with the power to show whether lovers keep their faith. If false, the gem will grow dull and lifeless, its brightness all gone; but if true, it will glow with the fiery hues of the furnace. Wear it always, my darling, and let it be the test of my love till the happy day that unites us forever.” ”

“ So he felt no real resentment against Amber for her deceitfulness. He judged her mercifully, thinking that she had withheld the letter to spare him pain.
And, in his anxiety over her perilous condition, he scarcely remembered Violet’s letter, although it lay, unread, upon his breast. Why should he think of fickle, selfish Violet, when her noble cousin lay stricken down in all her youth and beauty, never, perhaps, to rise again.
In those moments of his sorrow and gratitude, he was very near to loving Amber, at last, for pity is akin to love. ”

“ With a deep groan, Judge Camden answered:
“I did not mean to distress you with the bad news yet, Amber, but my remorse is greater than I can bear alone. Yes, yes. I fear that pretty Violet is dead! We have hounded her to some dreadful fate—suicide, very likely!”
She gazed at him in consternation and wonder.
“Grandpapa, you must be raving! You look every day for a letter from Violet, and then forebode that she is dead. What can you mean? Is not Violet safe with her husband, the millionaire?” ”

“ Perhaps his handsome face and the splendid diamonds he gave you, combined with his ardent pleadings, have caused your heart to waver between him and Cecil,” continued Amber, in a bantering tone.
Violet looked at her reproachfully and cried:
“How can you dream of such a thing, Amber? I hate the man and his jewels. Grandpapa forced me to go down and see him, but I told him candidly how much I hated him, and that I would rather die than marry him!” ”

“ Harold Castello gave a low laugh and answered, lightly:
“I was your lover then, my Violet, and dared not take all the kisses I wanted. Now I am your husband, sweet, and you are mine, all mine! and I can feast myself at will on your sweet, red lips! And the more I kiss you, my darling, the more intoxicated I grow, for your breath is like wine—it thrills me with bliss, it makes me dizzy!” ”

“ The anguish of loss and despair! the burning jealousy that filled his soul at Amber’s disclosures, no words could tell!
She had craved revenge upon Cecil Grant, because he had turned from her dazzling charms, to sun himself in the tender light of Violet’s dark-blue eyes. She had full measure of revenge now in the deadly blow she had struck at his loving heart.
A dagger in his heart would have been more welcome and less painful, for the keen thrust would have soon been over, and then merciful oblivion.
“’Twere better far
Never to love than love and lose again! ”

“ It was the most thrilling moment of Cecil Grant’s life.
In one anguished instant he comprehended that it was no spirit he gazed upon, but Violet Mead herself, crazed by her illness, escaped from her watchers and about to end her sorrows in the deep and rushing river.
With a lightning bound, he flew to the rescue, a cry of terror on his blanched lips, his arms outstretched toward the flying figure, already making the fatal spring, hovering in mid-air, her white garments and golden curls fluttering in the chilly breeze that swayed the willows on the bank. ”

“ With cold, scornful lips she replied:
“I acknowledge no right over me given by that fraudulent marriage ceremony. I will never be your wife save in name.”
“Nonsense, Violet. These lofty airs do not become you. You had better reconcile yourself at once to circumstances. I may as well tell you that you are virtually a prisoner, and will remain so until you give yourself to me with a wife’s obedience. As for your last lover, why grieve for him? He has not a roof to shelter his poverty-stricken head to-night, since Bonnycastle has been wrested from him by Amber’s arts. ”

“ Tell me why I am so wretchedly unhappy in this hour that promised so much bliss!”
“My darling!” he murmured, indistinctly, as he pressed his burning lips to the pure white brow against his shoulder.
“Oh, Cecil, I am so frightened! Will grandpapa overtake us, do you think? Will he—do anything—dreadful?” continued the deceived girl, apprehensively.
“No, no, my own darling, he will not overtake us now! Rest easy, for your adoring husband will defend you against the whole world!” reassured Harold Castello, in a muffled voice, hoping that she would not detect the strange sound. ”

“ Violet sighed and relapsed into silence, though her cheeks burned with anger at the insulting mention of her dead father. She knew that his blind prejudice against the young soldier, who had run off with his youngest daughter, made him exaggerate all his faults.
“Well, as I was saying to you that night, my girl, your mother disappointed all my hopes; but I swear that you shall not. I’ve picked out a rich husband for you, and I want you to accept my choice like a good girl,” cajolingly. “Why, almost any girl would jump at the chance of such a husband—young, rich, and loving!” ”

“ For we will not have time to talk of our love, but only of our troubles,” declared Violet, frankly.
“Very well, then, Violet, you may get ready at once. Cecil will be waiting for us on the river-road, expecting to get a letter. What a happy surprise he will have in seeing you!”
“He will be overjoyed,” agreed Violet, without noticing Amber’s angry frown at her tone of happy confidence in her lover. ”

“ In the little Washington chapel an anxious group waited for Cecil Grant’s appearance. They were Violet and Amber, together with the Reverend Wesley Christian and his young wife.
The hour of seven had passed, and the early autumn twilight was casting weird shadows within the chapel, with its stained-glass windows. It had grown so dark that they could scarcely see each other’s faces.
But Amber had stipulated that there should be no light to lure passers-by to enter. She did not wish to be recognized by any one lest her grandfather should find out her share in the elopement. ”

“ Even Amber’s cruel heart was touched by the sad words and the pathetic voice, and she said, in a softer voice:
“Poor young bride! it was very sad.”
“Yes, but it was better to die than marry one she could not love,” Violet answered, very seriously, and Amber began to comprehend that Judge Camden would have some trouble in enforcing his authority. What if Violet should carry out her threat of suicide? A shudder ran over her as she pictured in her mind the scene of bridal pageantry, the flower-draped altar, the joyous music, and Violet dead before the altar in her bridal robes. ”

“ CHAPTER XIV.
“LOVE IS THE SWEETEST THING IN LIFE.”
“If I could only see my darling Cecil, for even one short hour!” Violet sighed, day after day.
It was so lonely in her chamber, which Judge Camden would not permit her to leave, and where no one was allowed to visit her except Amber and Mrs. Shirley.
“I am quite well enough to go down stairs now,” she insisted, impatiently, to Mrs. Shirley every day, but the meek little widow shook her head and sighed:
“Your grandfather thinks differently, my dear, and of course that settles the matter.” ”

“ The beautiful jewel, glowing with its rich prismatic hues, put new faith into the heart of the poor, unhappy girl.
“He loves me still, I know it by my ring,” she cried, tenderly kissing the gem. “He loves me still, in spite of all they have done to turn his heart against me. Oh, Cecil, could I but escape from my prison, I would fly to you, and you would find some means to break these cruel fetters and set me free from Harold Castello.” ”

“ I have been silent too long! If the voice of conscience is dead in your heart, let me arouse it by taunting you with your sin!” Violet cried, in a passion of loathing anger that carried her beyond the bounds of prudence.
In another moment she realized her mistake, for, infuriated by her scorn, Harold Castello threw discretion to the winds, and sprang toward her, crying, maliciously:
“You shall not taunt me, lovely one, for I will smother the words on your lips with kisses!” ”