The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-02-20
JANET'S REVENGE,

- NJ A-.NNts
Janet do you delight in torturing me
WHY cart you answer my question:
The young mans voice had an arbitrary
iIngs winch nettled the willful gill whom he
was address ing, and her crimson lips curled
scornfuuy.
What right have you to speak TO me in
that way l AN not forced to answer oues-
. lions, wise OF otherwise, and I consider this
anything but wise
charming picture she was TO look uvon.
despite The frowu upon her pretty. pfauant
lace her petite form drawn to its fullest
heieht-the nerest trifr over FIVE feeJ-her
saucy head thJown back, as though Mark
Grayson's pleasureo or displeasure we're alike
things ut the utmost Indifference to heI.
So at least thCught the young sailor Nho
had reused his storm Of feminine indiana-
tion by asking the young lady. in lis blunt.
poini-blank fashion, to marry him. as they
sat, one afternoon, in the sitting room Of tile
little cottage.
Aud then as she refused to give him a
definite answer, Le rose 10 his feet and
made use Of the words at the opening Of
this sketch.
You have given me encOuragement,' he
said, after moment o. regpIexsd silence
aud what if 7 have % she retorted -
Haven't you said over and oyer again that
was a beartless dirt, and that you wished
some one would break my proud spirit @
The bronzed face uf Mark Grayson flushed
hOtly.
who told You these things - he asked
desperately, though his usually bold brown
IN Il
blue oTbs.
'YoI don't deny it, she said, a trife bit
terly, and ia fact il would be Of little use
heard you myself say thaJI was a c0quette,
and now and here the ripe tempting lips
curled again -'you profess to love me aud
make me an offer Of maTrisge. Are YOU
striving to win my heart that You may fling
IT away and so accomplish the noble task OF
breaking iGy spiit, just because 1 have been
light hearted and happy, with q smile and
jest for each and all of my acqaintances p
for of lovers l have done, nor have 1 en-
Couraged serious attentions
The definite look haG faded out of her
bright, young face, leaving it white with a
sudden pallor, and the blue eyes were filed
with an expression OF pathetic regret which
Mark Grayson, unused as he was TO the
ways of women, could not fathOm.
And so you set yourself deliberately at
work, he SAID, with deep bitterness, TO re.
pay me FOR my rash, thoughtless words by
making ME victim TO your witching ways
loved YOU madly, passionatelys while you
must have hated me
/ 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 a time with never
a thought Of tiinchiug, mutteFiHg hOarsely a;
be did so:
We'll, goodbye, Nell l did not intend
: to 90 to sea again; but the Vulcan has not
sailed, ard 10 morrow, perhaps, a stormy
sea will bring me peace and comfort
Her face grew even whittier, if possible
and she stepped quickly forward as he
passed through the door.
But it closed behind him and Mark did
not see the yearnng, hopeless look that
shrouded the fair face of the girl ne wOr
shipped with all the strength OF bis passion
ate nature
She watched his TALL strong young form as
he strobe down the road, seemingly not
needing the keen February gale that swep;
across the Sound, and tossed the dark wa
ters of the Channel, which rolled in white
capped waves between the bold headland
and the Bill Of Portland, rising ike qrim
ocean monster some ten miles away.
And this was the end OF her flirtatiCn. OF
love affair with Mark Grayson for the past
three months.
At first he had been coOIly Indifferent
even cynical, and during this time had made
use OF the language which had so reused the
spirit of the petted daugh ter of old Captain
Barton, a retired sea dog, who could not
bear to live elsewhere than beside the treRch
eroas element which had been his home fol
so many years.
The Graysons lived but a short distance
from the home Of Captain Barton, and were
likewise people of considerable property
aBd the mother of Mark, whose love for thu
sea was his principal motive for Drawing its
dangers, had induced her son to give up hi,
rowing life, decision which was strength
ened and confirmed by the smiling face OF
pretty Janet Barton.
But all his bright hopes had vanished
when this rude awakening came, and hastily
packing a few necessary articles, the younl
man kissed the weeping mother good bye
and made his way down to the cove wher,
his boat lay behind a shelter of a pier.
The sun was low in the western sky al
Janet saw the white sail of Mark GraysOu'
boat fiutter in the wind as he rounded tht
headlaud.
1t was blowing heavily in shore, and tn
boat, trim, dainty craft, was kept clos
/ hauled to the wind as she dashed throuCl
/ the foam-crestsd waves aud struck boldr
/ out toward the open sea.
1t was toOlhaTdy, yeuturrsome trip, an