Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-10-31
4 glsasant Sturg.
HIS RETRIBUTION.

"Yes-welly"
| Mrs. Darcy looked up from her dainty
piece Of lacework, from which, until now
while Addie had been talking, she had not
condescended 10 remove her attention.
And now, after the girls sweet, half depre-
cative, half triumphant tones had ceased
the lady's cold, blue eyes slowly lifted, and
met Adde'S beautiful wine-bronze ones
the eyes Tracy Gray had been swearing by
those past three months.
Then, after that sarcastic, indifferent brace
of words, Mrs. Darcy smiled--a smile that
brought all the hot blood in red tide to
Addie Bells face.
"And you are so charmingly innocent as
to believe all that Mr.. Gray has told you
You actually are 50 beautifully truthful as
to think Tracy Gray means anything by his
foolish Irritation with yOu-the nurse-maid
to my children And he, worth hundreds
Of thousands Of dollars, whom any lady in
the land would jump at for the asking Ad-
die, are you fool, or-worse !"
All that wave OF warm color suddenly
receded, and the girl looked like marble
statue, save for the troubled woe in her eyes
that 'detpened into proud shame that this
woman dared 50 10 speak ~ i,S,. ..'.lcn, all
the dignity, and womanliness, and outraged
pride, in her nature, mingled in her quiet
answer:
when you know that Mr. Gray has asked
me, and have consented 10 he his wife, and
am only waiting until you can fill my place
before fulfill my promise, perhaps you will
see the necessity OF retracting your insulting
words"
Mrs. darcy had listened in blank aston
ishment that this person she had hired-this
creature whose time was hers, who received
her wages from her, who had more than
once been the recipient OF her bounty-that
Addie Bell dared thus turn and thus defend
herself, who had always been so quiet, so
anger swept over her face, and she looked
ragingly at the girl.
"How dare you SO completely forget your
SELF | do not for a moment believe that
Mr. Gray ever asked you 10 marry him
hush! but | do believe that Is not your
fault that he has not. | have seen your
bold, outrageous, flirting with him. | have
seen and understood, as suppose you saw
and understood, his underhand inten-
tions-such attentions and advances as the
world, and gay, fast men Of the day pay to
unprotected, silly, romantic girls, whose po-
sitions are infinitely far beneath their own
But since it seems you did not understand,
and since Mr.. Gray's business Is not mine
TO control, there Is but one course left to me,
and doubtless very delightful opportunity
for you-to order you from my house at
once, with your disgrace and obstinacy."
Addie was white TO the very lips, as she
listened; then she crested her head with
q sudden hautenr that commanded even Mrs.
DArcy's respect, for the moment.
"You are very kind Permit me to re-
turn my thanks for your exceedingly lady
like courtesy, and TO suggest that, in the
very near future, Mr.. Gray will doubtless re-
yenge the insult paid his wife"
There was smile Of perfect satifaction
on her face as she gathered together her lit
tie all, In her Bedroom, and thinking, as she
made her preparations for immediate de-
parture, how many and many time Tracy
Gray had told her how glad he was she was
just az poor, just as obscure, just exactly as
she was, because she then knew IL was for
herself alone that he loved her-because IL
would be the greatest happiness Of his life
10 give her the Injuries and dainty elegan-
cies born-and-bred lady, as she was, should
have.
50 carefully folding away her own best
drcss---a neat, plain cashmere--Addie laugh
cd softly to herself, 10 think how soon Il
would be before she should wear the silks
and Jewels her beloved would delight to give
her
sBut il isn't because he is rich" she had
told herself thousand times; mot that he
IL rich that l love him SONY splendid,
grand lover but just because he Is Tracy
Gray, and nobody else. II he were az poor
and an much nobody AZ would love
him just the same--just ~ much"
And 1t was perfectly true. Tracy Gray,
with his handsome face and caresslng ways,
and voice that had set many woman's
heart athrob before Il had spoken such sweet
things In this girls ears, had awakened all
the capacity for worship and passion in Nd
dies heart and made her his own.
They had met, as strangers will meet,
during the summer season at fashionable
resorts Addie had attracted his attention
at the seashore, by the exceeding lovelness
Of her face and modesty of her manner,
nurse maid Ia rufiied apron and swiss cap, |
though she was; and Tacy, being a man
who never permitted anything 10 stand In |
the way Of his inclination, and being very
much inclined 10 know this graceful, lady |
like little girl, with the rare, wine-brown |
eyes with cleaning bronze lights In them, |
with the rare warmly-golden hair, and the |
dainty, dimpled chin, and peachly, pearly
cheeks, he made her acquaintance, and
This was the sequel; and, two hours later,
In answer 10 charming little note she had
sent her lover, he was at her side, declaring
how good the fates were 10 them both, and
insisting on the immediate performance OF
quiet little ceremony which should give him
the undisputed right 10 protect her and care
for her, and take her abroad with him at
once.
30 the ceremony was said, and Addie
found herself suddenly removed from her
position Of oiecurity aud tiresome toll, with
nothing but hope and happiness before her,
and Tracy Gray 10 love her.