Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-11-05

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young actreSs and could - utter her
thanks withthe sister ~armth which she
desired to erpre4
seereti- The eetrcss was -pcssessed with an
idea which Maud would certainly have
called wicked II not mesnl <Her sohl ives
Concentrated upon ber purpose OF wayward
affection and merciless revenge. Her cal
culation was that Nancy's attractions would
be about used up by this time Vanity
judged Ter just the woman to fatigue man
soon, and to be too stupid, too self satisfied,
to detect the WEAKNESS she provoked. This
provincial Nancy, ignorant OF the art OF
pleasing, could never rekindle an affection
which at the first she could not keep alive,
Well Vanity knew with what deadly
strength she could confront her rival now.
Her armoryl was not a mere store of clumsy
rustic endearments. Willie had known her
spell once. She knew exactly how to capti.
vate him As to what might follow, Vanity
did not greatly concern herself. Willie she
considered her own, establishing her right
by reasoning, TO which neither convention
nor religion were admitted, but which salts
fsd Vanity well enough I...
| II was this wicked, reckless purpose which
made Vanity grave and calm and superior
as she talked with Maud Neville; and in the
whole conversation honest Maud was alto-
gether at fault.
Maud poured out her thanks, praised Van
ity's bravery and said whatever the occa-
sion suggested. Vanity heard her with an
air Of condescending interest, as one listens
to the thanks of grateful child. ss,. =.
~la 10 IL.
to her own heart while appearing to, answer
Maud. ''lf had died l should not have
cared. But am alivem ' '''' '''
Compressed triumphant lips, eyes flashing
with purpose, the gait of one who goes to
conquer, SO she turned and walked to the
window, for she could not keep still with
Mauds face locking into her own. Her
heart was not like Maud's. She must go her
own way, and speak as little as possible with
this bright, warm-hearted, honorable
woman. So
81 am alive" she said again, and then
looked out of the window. =
''Alivew repeated Maud Neville ''But
suppose your beauty had goner'
Vanity shuddered Then she remembered
her own former thought.
'If God OF Fate had wanted my beauty.
it would have been taken. Now am twice
my own"
This was Greek to Maud; but she had
something to say herself, and, for her own
reasons, she managed to mention the name
Of her brother Vanity was still standing at
the window looking into the garden. AT
mention of the sol1ier's name Maud saw
sarcastic smile upon the lips of the actress,
but it vanished quickly, and when Vanity
turned to reply her expression was one of
perfect indifference. Maud thought she
could read what was passing through Vanity's
mind, and judged that now was the time to
say:
81 am SO proud of my brother!n
No wonder" Vanity replied. "He il a
handsome man. '--'" ""
But she might have been talking OF a statue.
Yes; in that very tone he might have said,
''It is handsome stat M 5,i ta,-... .l
Maud considered this indifference rather
overdone. vanity means to give me
quiet hint, F" thought Mistress Maud VANITY
means tosay, Yes, your brother is a wealthy,
handsome soldier Such are apt to fancy
that any poor girl they look at grows CON
scious and agitated and so forth. Such q
girl am not L." Grr .tta.. a.,- .,..,,....
Thus misinterpreting Vanity's manner,
and full Of generous enthusiasm for her
brother, Maud went on cleverly, as she i'm
agined: ~ ~ ''' 'i'@ -" '.'" ~ .I
TON is good as we'll as handsome. Oh.
he has noble heart For all his easy, self
indulgent ways, he thinks more of other peo-
pie than of himself. 1 am sure"--Maud for
got artistic prudence in her warmth-"that
if you think that Tom would trifie with the
happiness of another you little understand
his character"
Would Vanity notice this significant trib-
ute? Yes, again the sarcastic smile played
over her lips. Maud saw all now. There
stood before her virtuous young actress,
whose great beauty had enabled her to know
the ways of the wicked world, and who was
disdainfully incredulous Of masculine good
ness. l.lls le So 1s. ttHlut 49,
''You may smile," she continued, with
growing imprudence. for her temper over.
came her, although her mood was generous
81 suppose you have guessed that my brother
admires yous Well, he does admire you.
Indeed, it would be hard for him to see YOU
and not admire. But let me tell you my
brother is not the style OF man who can fancy
one woman and love anothery' +,
Vanity turned about, not the least excited,
but with an expression of animation.
''He looked twice at me when once would
nave been enough" This she said with
graceful gayety. But vow did not think
be would have told you." g.,E a..
''He did tell mer' cried Maud eagerly.
'That shows what Tom isr' ,,,
All at once she recollected that she had
gone very far. With fine frankness, which
Vanity far more admired than Maud had
admired her pretty ways, Mrs Neville took
the hand of the actre'f in her own.
''I have not been wise. Tom only just
mentioned it to me in passing. Of course,
you know" she stroked Vanity's hand, ''and
}you will not be offended with me, there
tould be many. many things to be thought
Of before--before--" p 4n
Before he married me-"
Vanity finished the sentence with charm
ing playfulness
''You really are good naturedl" Maud ex-
claimed. ut is SO good Of you to take it in
that kind Of way. | wished to be straight
forward, but you might SO easily have taken
offense.n rE4 ,G
This inexplicable Vanity seemed ready to
burst into tears all at once .y .,.. f.,a-,. ,t
II understand you," she replied. .'You
are good and honorable, and you have
spoken as you ought" y" t au
It was not altogether surprising that the
actress should be little touched. But why
was Maud made mysteriously conscious that
the friendless woman who stood before her
had an individuality into which she could
not penetrate2, ,e5e .4g ...... ..g
II said what thought best" Maud said