The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-11-05
JANET,s REVENGE.

Honf''
The young mans voice had an arbi-
Erary ring, which nettled the willful
girl whom he was addressing. and her
crimson lips curled scornfully.
what right have you to speak to
me in that way9 am not forced to
answer questions, wise or otherwise,
and yours consider anything but
WISE
a charming picture she was 20 look
upon. despite the frown upon her pref
ty. piquant face. her petite form drawn
TO its fullest height, merest trife
over five feet, her sauey head thrown
back, as though Mark Grayson's pleas.
ure or displeasure were alike things of
the utmost Indifference to her.
So at least thought the young sailor
who had reused this storm of feminine
Indignation by asking the young lady,
In his blunt, point-blank fashion, to
marry him. as they sat one afternoon,
In the sitting-room Of the little cottage.
And then, as she refused to give him
O definite answer, he rose to his feet,
and made use OF tho words at the open.
ing of this sketch.
You have given me encourage
ment," no said, after a moment Of per-
picked silence.
And what il 1 have?" she retorted.
Haven't you said over and over again
that l was heartlesS firt, and that
you wished someone would break my
proud spiritp"
The bronzed face of Mark Grayson
flushed hotly.
who told you these thingsP" no
asked, desperately, though his usually
bold brown eyes fell to the floor be-
meath the gaze of her blue orbs.
"Yoa do not deny it." she said, a
trihe bitterly. land in fact II would be
of little use. heard you myself say
that l was coquette. and now"-and
here the ripe, tempting lips curled
again-"yoa profess TO love me and
mako me an offer of marriage. Are
You striving TO win my heart that you
may ding it away. and SO accomplish
the noble task of breaking my spirit,
lust because have boen light-hearted
and happy. with smile and Jest for
each and all of my aequaintancesP-
for Of lovers have none, nor have
encouraged serious attentions.
The defiant look had faded out of
her bright, young face, leaving it white
with n sudden pnllor. and the blue eyes |
Were filled with an expression of pa
thetic regret which Mark Grayson. I'm
used as no was to the ways of women, |
could not fafhom.
"And so you set yourself deliberate
IL at work. he said. with deep bitter
ness, ''to repay me for my rash, |
thoughtless words by making me i VIC
tim to your Wi!ching ways. loved you
madly. passionateIy, while you must
have hated me-
81 did, she said gravely. still white
to the lips.
He turned away TREMENDOUSLY. this
strong. athletic young man, who had
faced the keenest gales at sea many
time with never thought of finching,
muttering hoarsely as he did so.-
''Well, goodbye. Nelli did not in
tend to 60 to sea again; but the 'Vul-
can has not sailed, and tomorrow,
perhaps. a stormy sea will bring me
peace and comfort
Her face grew even whittier, if posi-
bic, and she stepped quickly forward
as he passed through the door.
But 1t closed behind him, and Mark
did not see the yearning, hopeless look
that shrouded the fair face Of the girl ,
he worshipped with adj the strength of
his passionate nature.
She watched his tall, strong young |.
form ns he strobe down the road. SEEM
ingly not needing the keen February
gale that swept across the Sound, and
tossed the dark waters Of the Channel,
which rolled in white-capped waves ,
between the bold headland and the
Bill Of Portland. rising like a grim
ocean monster some ten miles away.
And this was the end of her Irritation,
or love affair, with Mark Grayson for
the past three months.
At first he had been coolly indiffer- !
emit even cynical. and during this time
had made use Of the language which ,
had so reused the spirit Of the petted :
daughter of old Captain Barton. o re- :
tired sea dog. who could not bear to
live elsewhere than beside the treach. .
erous element which had been his !
home for so many years.
The Graysons lived but short dis
lance from the home of Captain Bar ,
ton, and were likewise people of con. {,
siderable property; and the mother Of !
Mark, whose love for the sea was his
principal motive for Drawing its dan.
gers. had induced her son to give up :
his rowing life, decision which was :
I
smiling face of pretty Janet Barton.
But all his bright hopes had vanished :
when this rude awakening came, and ..
eles, the young man kissed the weep.
ing mother cood-bTe. and made IFS
way down to the cove where his boat !
lay behind the shelter of pier. I
The sun was low in the western sky
as Janet saw the white sail of Mark
GraysoD's boat futter In the wind as he :
rounded the headland.
It was blowing heavily in shore, and
the boat, trim. dainty craft, was kept =
to the wind as she dashed !,
through the foam-erested waves and =
struck boldly out toward the open sea. :,
It was foolhardy, venturesome trip,
and Janet well knew that Mark ieopar-
died his life in attempting to sail his
Irail craft with such a sea running.
How her great love for the gallant il
Young sailor surged through her being, A
as she watched the boat rise and fall a
Ike duck, now eareening beneath the | K
'orce Of the wind as though she would y
lnrely capsize, and anon Fighting and 4
holding her way braTely. true to the "a
Itrong hand that held the tiller. and q
he keen eye that minded not the salt Il
pray. a
''Rhat are ron watching so closelyPa +
lsked Mrs Barton. coming to her
daughters side. :,
Janet did not answer. and the sharp 4,
res Of the matron espied the boat now
ONE distance from the shore. which ID
vas struggling 50 brayelv with the ele- 5.
aents. y
Whose boat is thatPii she asked. q
And Janet answered family ID
1t Is Mark Grayson's s. = v
w here is be going such q day as "
hiss' again asked the mother. 81
''OTer to his ship. said the white- A.
aced girl shivering as she spoke. she y
! going to sail IN the Vulcan. 81
he viii nsver reaeh there aliveF'
stunned AIRS Barton. In v0ice which 81
alsed Janet to burst into passion Of 81
W hat s the mRttarep said the START y.
ID mother, stroking the curly head Of 81
&c weeping danghfer, Have ron aud "a
Lark querrelledf *
Jauetss only answer vas wilder 4.
ufburst Of tears. -
Did be ask you to marry hfmp 81
nestioned Ma Barton. raisino her -,
lnghter's head and looking into the fni
aEssfained face,
Yes. sobbed Janet e
s.knd ron refused him ~
= uoaldn' give him any answer. Is
be said. her sobs breaking forth y.
|resh eo
Aud ron tats wrecked your lifs = ~
der that tha man ron lore might suI. q: g
e said Mrs Barton. I 5e8 i al AZ
sinif -
Then al anafIon broke from her 9. y.
s 8 sic locked ses7.1r1 AGAIN A