Smyrna times., 1861-10-17

/
ed faded before the marvellous perfection Of
that face. How the words Of stately welcome
| had prepared died on nv lips before the court
| ly grace with which she took my cold hand and
| touched my lips. From that instant knew
my reign was over: for where shat young crea-
| turs dwell, there she must rule. There was
| no ungracefu usurpatiOn of authority, but
gradually felt my power waning; the chains
slipped link ty link from my hands, and she
was the one 10 gather them up. Visitors
crOWed to the house to Egbert Bentley's
bride, and at last they forgot to ask for the old
mistress Days went by and glided into months,
and against this thraidom | ceased to struggle.
Why was il every sarcastic retort every with
ering look was crushed down deep in nay
heart the instant | met her eye! Why was 1t
| watched SO intently every change in that
white face | hated so! The years that have
passed have aot made me hate it less. Why
was it every outward manifestation of that
deadly bitterness was irampied down! An
answer from that long silent form comes back
to me in mocLing tones" Because that hate
was returned us freely as given" She hated
! as deeply as |, and hers was the stronger spirit;
she expected to triumph and to reign in my
house after | had passed away. And J, dream
ed aud prayed for revenge, which came quick
and abundant. Her child came like a sunbeam
into the house, but quickly followed by a shad-
! Ow. | watched-how earnestly, ye who have
watched likewise can only know, and saw
/ the color was not returning to her cheek and
! lip; saw before she did that she must die
/ One night was in the garden, Margaret
Bentley was n her own private room, on the
lower floor at the eastern wing Of the house ;
| ii was beautiful secluded room almost entire
y surrounded by trees.
I As passed angle OF the building, J fan
c ed heard voices 10 the direction of her room,
and kuUwlng my son TO be absent, was some
what surprised. Softly | clept round under
the foliage until gained a station command
/ ing the rOcm.
! a iaint light from one gas burner reyealed
! the faces OF the occupants. The low French
windows were open into the garden and lean
! ing against one in an attitude to show TO ad-
vantage form OF perfect grandeur, wasa man
IN the rich military dress of an English officer
Of high rGak.
Ofhis face Ionly gained profile view; it
was strong and deeply cut. Margeret had
risen apparently in surprise for her shawl was
faIen eli, and she holding her child. She was
speaking rapidly sRd exciledly, with light
never saw befsre in her deep eyes. The vurds
| could not catch, but saw her hold Up her
hsad TO the lighl-the hA nd on which ghiteted
the wedding ring. | saw hts face darken as
| he took step forward, but she sgain held Up
| her hand anG pointed with her eyes 10 The
child on her sFm. With q strong, deadly i'm
/ preeation he turned, sptang out Of the window
aud out of sight in an instant. Oh. how
hugged my revenge as stepped into the room!
might perhaps have spared her, but the re-
venge was sweet
We'll. Mrs. Bentley"
l am afraid shall never forget her look
/ Of hala laia cha EnIl hao u bore
"Spare. oh, spare my husband Save me
am lnnOcent; my daysare numbered. For
the chiid's sale, spare me!
Bot her words fell on marble, for long des.
pissed heart was now gaining strength; how
smiled at that grOVelling torn; my words
were few, ,butthe cry they received rings this mo-
n.ent in nv ears. | never intended 10 tell my
son, mark you he was my idol; would not
wound his heart; she was the stumbling stone
TO be put out nt my way. Neither did believe
her guilty. deeply as | hated her. | never be-
lieved her falte to my son. Had such thought
entered my head would have killed her dead
at my feet. .r-....-
But my revenge-ah! II was sweet, and
sweeler it grew the days few by. shorten
ing her path. With what eagerness watched
that proud face. knowing how soon its beauty
would be food for worms. How | watched the
| IOS"~'"k VI hh"' Pooil'ss lOtHi uo u mONeu lO"et
aud lower toward the earth. knew by the
look IN her eyes that it was with horror unut-
tersble she lOoked forward to the mysterious
darkness she was entecmg; | knew Margaret
Bentley brought no willing heart to dea III 8
altar, and was not my revenge complete No!
II MAS not complete till she died. i stole into
her room and laid my hand on hers. She START
ed from the touch, and her lips moved. The
nurse said it was forgiven" that tTem6led on
her lips before they were sealed, bot knew it
was not. Margaret Bentley never forgave;
neither did ] Just on the threshold Of th 10
world we stofped; shall we hate each other 10
the nexti win that white face OF my son q
wife meet me lhere They say there is rest
in the grave. but fear that face will follow me
even after lie everlasting silence. 1t there lie
rest, let II come, aud come quickly.