Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-06-26
A WOMAN's SWEET REVENGE.
BY F. A. SLETOR.


let stood gazing out into the moonlight
until the entrance of Aunt Rose behind
her caused her to turn from the open
window, Her aunt did not Immediately
speakto her, but busted herself about
the.window- fastenings and then adjust
lng~t the curtains in the proper folds.
Violet did not leave the room, but stood
beside the table, lowly humming a tune
and idly lingering the leaves of book
Presently Aunt Rose approached the
table, and her hands toyed some time
with the cards lying in the receiver be-
fore she at length opened her lips:
''Violet, has it gone as far as | dread?"
"What do you mean, Aunt ROse?"
asked Violet, as the color mounted to her
checks.
80, my child" said Aunt Rose, grave
ly, "think it well over before you give
him your heart. | feel certain he has
spoken to you; but, my dear, you have
not been rash enough to"
mo, Aunt Rose" interrupted Violet,
4 told you would not give him any en-
couragement until l had spoken with
you"
s 81 can give you no better advice than
already have; but still know if your
heart is really attached to him, no power
on earth can make the eyes of love see
with wisdom's light"
"But you can say little against him"
"Tlue. And all that you can say for
him is that he seems like gentleman"
Aunt Rose!" exclaimed Violet, quick
ly.
you understand me too well, | hope,
Ito he angry with me. But, really, my
child, dare not see you give yourself to
a stranger, man that you know nothing
of except that he is good-looking, has
good manners and appears to have some
wealth.
But what can | do? How would it
do for me to ask him point blank if John
Archer is his real name, and where he
come from, and what he is worth."
He has asked you to be his wife,
Yes, with deep blush.
And you love him, Violet?n
Eyes, l truly love him" she said, after
Il slight pause.
Then refer him to me. | surely can
ask him few questions without giving
him umbrage. You will promise me not
to let it 90 any further until I have seen
him2"
1T shall go no further until you are
satisfied, Aunt Rose. l promise you
that"
Mrs. Campbell gently pressed a kiss
upon her niece's cheek, and then turned
to go.
'TYou have not been looking we'll lately,
Violet. You will not read late tonight"
No, shall follow you directly, Aunt
Rose" --E
The young girl watched her companion
until the last fold of her black silk dis
appeared at the top Of the staircase. then
she closed the parIOr door, and, throwing
herself into an easy chair, leaned her
head upon her hand, and gazed pensively
into the glowing CRATE.
Aunt Rose, dear Aunt Rose" she
unused, lingering tenderIy upon the name,
'has been mother to me. She is the
only relative | have in the world, almost
my only friend: surely she has my best
interests at heart, and she must know
best. She can talk with Mr.. - John
What dear, common name 1t is, but it
has the ring of truth in it, and my faith
er's name was John. AS | was saying,
she can talk with John and am sure he
will take it as she means it-how could
he do otherwise? But as for doubling
him." she said, rising and pushing back
her chair, II would as soon doubt"
Violet stopped suddenly and listened,
with her eyes fastened upon one of the
window. TIE noise that had startled her
was repeated; light tap, tap, tap, upon
a pane of glass. Violet stepped to one
of the long shutterless windows and drew
back the curtain of lace and damask. A
woman's face was level with the lower
pane.
''What do you want?" asked Violet in
loud voice, although little tremulous.
However, her fright, if frightened she
had been, was overt onlya woman, and
a poor one at that.
s'Let me in came back family.
Violet undid the fastening and pushed
up the sash.
'EWhat do you want at this time OF
night? Are you sheltcrless, or do you
want something to eat?" STOPPING down
and speaking in tone ofpity.
'sNO," returned tine woman, looking
down.
'sThen why do you disturb us at this
time of the night? TIT almost H.
II beg your pardon, miss" said the
strange creature, gazing up again with a
look of determination, ''but | must see
YOU"
s'Me2" calculated Violet. ''But il is
too late now; you must come tO-mor
row."
"No, must see you tonight know
it looks strange, ma'am, but it won't take
long to tell you what want
( ssBut-''
SO, miss!" said the poor creature, look
ing up imploringly, 'don't put me off til
tomorrow; l may go wild before tina
time. You needn't be afraid of me
never harmed AMY thing that l re
member. I'm only poor, weak woman
and / must speak to you this very night
Please listen to me-"
Violet considered a moment.
= swell, coup there on the porch; l will
let you in at the other window"
In short time the strange woman
stood before Violet in the coy little par
Tor. Her visitor was no tramp, that Vic
let saw at glance She was slight il
figure, with cOmely face, and darI
brown hair; she had on black bonnie
with the veil thrown back, black ant
white plaid shawl and neat black ala
paca dress. She stood some moment
with her eyes bent upon the carpet; a
length Violet spoke:
y b of you are cold, go to the fire."
mo, thank you, am not cold; wa
thinking how !, should commence re
I piled the woman, as she brushed he
gloved hand across her eyes.
There was another pause. Violet SAL