Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-11-09
SIGHT of all, AMI l shall have good cause
for breaking my word finally


questioned the old man closely but the
W ould condescend to no further infor-
nation, and eventually they agreed to
do as he wished.
And for to day farewell, Dora said
Godfrey; tomorrow night l viii
climb yonr trellls, and will act this
comedy
Farewell, dearcst,' said Dora, I'LL
tomorrow, when, as you say, we VIII
nlay out the comedy,> and she disap-
peared into the house. leaving her uncle
standing in the garden.
'Comedvl' biSsed he through MS
closed teeth. looking after Geoiirey
with bitter hate. COMEDY! tragedy,
rather. and It's name Revenge? and
with n terrible laugh he wended BIS
way into the house. -r
sHomewar went GeOflrey. and iouhd
his father and brother in the ola
hall. Calling lis brother apart ne
said
Dear Richard am 50 happy that
I must ard may TIL you without dan
ger. 1 am gong to marry
To marry, Geofrrey = said his bro
ther; WHOM p
NAY. that l will not say, to make
certain TIL tie wedding morning. re-
Piled Godfrey
Best so,' SAID his brother; and
GeofIrey, have fallen In love lateiy,
and shall succeed, trust in my SUIT
I am glad to hear it, prother mine,
returned Godfrey. May you succeed
as well as l.
All hat day and the next the bro
tbcrs were much in each Others soclo'
ty. and about in the afternoon Richard
rode away, saving that he should re-
turn late. The old father held long
converse with his eldest son who dis
closed the whole history Of his love
affair to hlm. and parted with bin at
dusk, when lie was 10 ride over to Van
ley Court.
Good by. father said GeoilreY
foot in s,irup. 1 shall be back short
ly.'
Light cheerful words but how aN-
fully TO be fulfilled!
Arrived at his destination. Geoiirey
tied his horse to the iron ring at the
gate, ran lightly round the garden and
made for Dora's window, which was in
the wing Of the house, running at right
angles with the great hall window. AS
he passed this window, he dimly saw
two figures within, whom he put down
in lis mind as old Vanl"y and the
obnoxious cousin. Passing on, he came
to The trellis beneath DOra's window,
and then, before he ascended, they car
ried on a tender conversation, like Ro-
meo and Juliet.
Meanwhile, cid Vanley vas Gnisl-
jnc bis conversation with his visitor
who, like GeoArey was closely mask
ed.
Tomorrow will Introduce you to
Dora, and wish good fortune TO your
woomg,' said Vanley. Now take of
your mask and pledge me n cup OF
claret.'
His visitor accedCd to the request,
and disclosed The face Of Richard R"n7
don for Richard Rendon had fallen III
love with the far Dora. and thongh lie
had never spoken TO her, yet her uncle,
in furlhtrauce of his airocious scheme,
had encouraged lis passion. So they
sat drinking and conversing, when the
old man. rising, brought a pair OF long
holster pistols from lhe bureau, and
placed them on the table,
Il am obliged 10 have these said
be for there Is a braggadociO dealing
gallant in tue neighborhood, who has
vowed TO carry Dora off by violence
aud wed her for her wealth as much as
her beauty. He has boon browlIng
around the house lately, and he may
even try tonight.
Better not while l am here,' replied
Richard, touching bis sword belt
"A tew minutes passed, when Rich
ard started up as a shrek from Dora
rang through the garden. For a mo-
ment a hldeous smile flashed over Van
ley's face then assuming a manner
and tone OF horror, he shouied:
See ! see the VILLAIN is on the balcont!
He draws bis sword All! he will kill
her Take the pistol for mercy's sake
my hand is 100 unsteady
.Rlcbard dashed the easement open
and glanced at the balcony where Do
ra apparently in an agony OF tear, was
struggling in the grasp OF masked
cavalier, who pointed his glittering
sword at her heart, as though threat.
ening 10 xiii her unless she was silent.
Maddened by the sight, Richard lew
eled the pistol and fired. The stranger
re led back and then fell crushing the
frail bolaslrade and dropping heavi-
ly among The rose-bushes beneath.
For a moment there was an awful ST.
lence, and scream, so awful from
Dora. that even Edmund Vanley shud-
derted as she shricked. Dead oh,
Godfrey dead dead y aud fell on
the balcony as though lifelGss.
'Geofrrey?' whispered Richard, while
horror blancncd his face and as the
servants rushed in he snatched a light
aud sprang into the garden.
My task ia done, nurmured Van,
lev. while horrible laugh OF exul'a'
ton broke from his lips, and quilting
the hall, he went 10 the stable, mouL-
ted his horse, aud rode away.