St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-23
REVENGE.

ehu Tue fragrant geraniums blossoming in
Tue windows seemed more beautiful than
ever. On the rug, in the sunshine, the two
pet kittens, Spit6re and spanker, purred, and
CURED up In one corner of the sofa, her soft
Eyes SHINING and her cheeks glowing redly,
little Jack herself thought that the beauty or
tue scene without, aud the CAV carol of the
oirds within, could only be the reflection of
own happiness. She could hardly believe it
out the glittering ring on the forefnger of
her ieit hand was evidence enough to con-
vince Cnat II must be SO, and that, of all wo-
men, she was preferred by Donald Holland,
anu seIected by him to be his wife.
ana always thought he fancied cousin
SAne, unused Jack, turning the ring round
she oalnty finger, with her stately ways aud
iong words, when it was T, after ALL All,
how glad / am
he door swung slowly open and a lady
entered, tall, elegant woman, robed in
Trailing folds of silk. Jack looked up smil-
ngly.
Down so soon, Jennie? was not ex-
pectiug you for an hour yet.' Miss March
mont bowed quietly.
II have been walking for an hour and a
half in the acacia gsrcen.'' she said, in a
clear metallic voice that somehow sent a
culver over her llstner
Jacks brows contracted for an instant.
then she laughed softly and held I'D to view
the shimmering ring.
''See, cousin mine. Do you not wish me
joy?"
Miss Marchmont's eyes blazed, and dull
red spot gowed for brief second in each
sallow cheek; but. conquering herself she
asked in voice husky from emotion.
ut is Mr.. Hollands ring, is it not2''
A rosy tide flooded Jacks neck and face.
yes" she replied, ''we are engaged"
''He was here this mornng!"
''He was. 1t has not been half an hour
since be went away The red spots on Miss
Marchmont's cheeks faded away, aud the'face
grew ashen; but she kissed Jacks lips and
wished her joy, and then, with slow steps,
left the room. Out in the acacia walk she
swept her silken skirts up aud down, back
and forth, until 1t seemed that the restless
feet must stop from sheer exhaustion. At
the extreme end of the walk stood beneath
two great palmetto trees tiny bower where
she often spent hours and hours over her
books and embroidery, or where, with her
cushions, she took many an afternoon siesta
for Miss Marchmont was an East Indian by
birth, and Inherited all the love of ease and
luxury common to the race of oriental devo-
tees.
$50 he will marry her." she muttered be-
tween her set teeth. ''She, the little petted
darling of every one. My God my heart
will break'' She sank down on her knees,
her body shaking with convulsive sobs. SIT
cannot-it must not be!' she cried, wildly,
81 who love him so, who have endured so
much, should be the one.n
The smoldering gray eyes grew intensely
black, the long, almond-ehaped lids expand
ed, anda white, deadly line encircled her
mouth. "Were it not for her he would take
me. l must--I will put her out of the way.
faint, sickening perfume crept upon the
air, and low hiss reached her ears. She
started suddenly TO her feet. Too well she
knew the import of the sound to linger and
she spraug quickly from the arbor. But she
was too late TO escape. Half-suspended from
far reaching branch directly before her,
with forked tongue and glisteniug eyes, a
young cobra looked down upon its victim.
But Jane Marchmont WAS made of brave ma
terial, and drawing the long pOniard she al
ways carried, she waited courageously for
the great greenish head to descend.
1t came slowly down. The white fangs
looked keen and sharp, and the hideous
mouth yawned like the mouth of some terri
bic cavern
Jane felt the edge of the poniard; 1t would
have split hair. And graspiug the handle
tightly she waited for the next quick dart
which the serpent would make at his victim,
and when 1t came she raised the dagger high
in the air and gave the cobra one deadly
blow. Il was dealt with her whole strength.
and the blood spurted in great red drops on
her clothes, while the body slowly unwound
itself from the limb aud fell upon the green
swsrd by the severed head. Miss Marchmont
eyed the deadly serpent fxedly, aud iend-
ish thought entered her brain.
Unwinding the crimson scarf from her
neck and shoulders she wiped her dagger
Then, with the aid of the scarf, she drew the
dead body into the arbor and covered it care
fully with leaves.
Half an hour later she entered the dining
room as composedly as though she had but
come from quiet slumber, and embracing
her cousin, teased her playfully. Late in the
afternoon Jack complained of q headache,
and with the geutlest touch in the world Miss
Marchmont bathed it in cologne, and advised
her to walk down to the arbor and have a
quiet nap.
IF sleep too long you must call me, for
Donald is to come at 5 o'clock,r she said, as
she stood on the threshold of the door Nam
nette, the maid, was brushing the hall and
heard the low tones, as Jack stepped off the
veranda.
Miss Marchmont promised, and queer,
inexpcable smile played around her mouth
as Jack disappeared down the walk.
''She has gone to her DEATH" she hissed
'for the living cobra will surely follow the
trail of its dead mate as the sun shines II
is there by this time and woe to you, Jauue
line Kamel Your lovers eyes will see YOU
loathsome, bloated thing, when next they
rest upon you; and, as you die, so may per-
ish all who stand between my love and me''
The moments crept on, and the hands on
the dial pointed to the hour of 5. Miss March
mont walked back and forth, her rustling silk
trailing in heavy folds on the soft carpet, and
her hands locked tightly together. Unable to
endure the suspense, she threw open the low
French window and went slowly down the
walk.
horrible sight met her eyes.
Jack lay sleeping on the settee, her hands
crossed lightly on her breast, and her long,
loose hair falling in glittering mass over
the crimson cushion. Above her. with slow.
undulatiug motion, living snake was sway
ing to and fro, while the air was heavy with
dull, sickening smell.
{ For a moment her heart failed her, but
only for moment. Setting her teeth firmly
together, she prepared to see the cobra give
the death-blow to the unconscious sleeper.
Lower il swung and lower; more subtle
still grew that dangerous scent. The great,
green head bent farther down, and the ter
rible mouth opened to It's widest capacity.
Miss Marchmont crouched low in the path
"Die" she gasped. "Die Jaquline Kane.
would not turn nv hand to save you from q
thousand deatbs.' Her hands were tightly
clenchtd and her face was covered with per-
spiration, but her heart was brave with its
Iurderous purpose,
The snake uow ceased It's undulatory mo-