The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1876-03-17
MN REVENGE

looking into my eyes with such intoxi-
catino sweetness. I had not given my
heart unsought but this man-this
man who had touched my lips with his
kisses. while they were yet warm per-
haps from those of his betrothed-had
all the love of my proud woman's soul.
stamped my feet in mad. impotent
rage. But, alas! could not take back
what | had given him SO freely. Be he
saint or fiend, it was all the same. /
loved him still.
The sweet June air came in through
the window, and the warm roses looked
up smilingly from below. Their fra
GRANGE slckened me. How many times
Richard Grey had put just such roses
into my hands; and, with all of heaven
in his eyes, had told me was sweeter
far than the flowers | held.
/ drew the window down with q
crash and turned away. What con-
summate fool had been! and what a
consummate actor he had been, ifindeed,
he did not love me | could not believe
it; but if he did not, il it had all been
child's play with him, | vowed it should
be child's play no longer. lie should
know what love was before we had
done. ] would move heaven and earth
to accomplish this, it necessary. To
think that I, Margaret Sterne, should be
nntwitted, nntdnne. and made an abject
slave of by the will of one man! ine
blood coursed through my veins again );
was growing again. The tonic was
doing its work noblY.
My aunL's voice came mp the stairs !:
Margaret, Mr.. Grey is here.''
eyes," | answered ard arranging
my toilet composedly, and with more
than usual care, / went down to meet
him.
There was a new brilliancy in my
check, knew, andan added luAtre in
my eyes, as | stood before him, bowling
my greeting. lie noticed it with
heightened color.
''IIow well you are looking this morn
ing, Margaret, he said.
sam % I said, smiling back into
his eyes with all my old trusting fond
ness. 81 had forgotten you were COM
ing to ride out with me, until my aunt's
voice reminded me of it,
lie looked surprised that I should
forget, or seem TO forget, any appoint
| ment of his, which | had never done
before but I~was so attentive to him,
otherwise, that his monentary annoy
ance vanished. We struck out upon
the road to Byrne.
s'Supposc we ride fast 90 said, rails
ing my whip, ready to start.
M; it will spoil our enjoyment, for
we cannot speak word then-aud." !"
| he might have added, 81 cannot feed
you with loves poison from my eyes -
"l5ut l want race, and, more than
/ that, | mean to have one" ] answered,
with spirit.
He looked mp quickly,
EtNliat has come over you, MarGa-
| ret:''
"Notlnng,' said, meeting his look
with more tenderness than usual, but
letting my whip fall with snap upon
my horse, and bounding away at the
same time. l felt as if / could ride
madly that morning and don't know
but my companion thought meant to,
for, III spite of his efforts, we were hard
Is in sight of each other for the next
four miles. At the edge of the village
drew up and waited.
"You have lost the race in more
senses than olle," ] said, as he came be-
side me.
"What do you mean? You are not
like yourself to-day but arc beautiful
as queen, Margaret he said, with an
eager flush upon his face.
My heart throbbed wildly.
sam queen tor once, then, and
you the subject? l ruled you in the
race, you know"
tBut you will spoil your horse.''
no matter. 1t is qucenly to rule
and ruin together"
stYour heart is 700 kind.''
"My heart kind Bah! is cold
and cruel as steel, Mr.. Grey. fl died,
/ would never finch from what [ had
undertaken"
He was utterly bewlIdered at the new
phase he was seeing III my character,
but he could not resist the magnetism
of my eyes. My looks belied my words,
and he would trust me.
stNever mind, as long as we do not
quarrel," !" lie said, with an emphasis supon
the pronoun.
ss'I'rue: rever mind" / answered
grimly, thinking of my future moment.
The sun was sinking when we rode
up the avenue at Hyde Woods. I was
well satisfied with my days work. He
was coming closer TO me in spite of
himself
ssYou must not call this evening"" l
said as he touched my hand with his
lips at the parting. 81 have another
engagement, but tomorrow If yon will. !"
HIf will! 0 Margaret! ! cannot
stay away this evening 70
ssBut You must" l answered, ascend
ing the steps.
Ny aunt met me in the hall.
Margaret, you are not going out
with blr. Grey too much, are yon ~ she
snid, stopping mo.
ssOh, mol We are only flirting a
little. and it would be dreadfuliY dnll
with no one, you know, dear Aunt
Hyde,a
/ kissed her and went slowly to my
room. I'll had given way once il would
have all been over with me. / should
| have had no strength TO 90 on, and it