Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-01-24
REVENGE.

How gleefully the birds sang that morn
ing, as they huttered in their gilded cages
hanging in the sunny room little Jack
called her private parlor." How bright
the skies were, and the fragrant geraniums
poisoning in the windows seemed more
beautiful than ever. On the rug, in the
sunshine, the two pet kittens, Spitfre and
Spanker, purred; and curled up in one
corner Of the sofa, her soft eyes shining and
her cheeks glowing redly, little Jack her.
self thought that the beauty of the scene
without, and the gay carol of the birds
within, could only be the reflection of her
own happiness. She could hardly believe
it, but the glittering ring on the forefnger
of her left hand was evidence enough to
convince that it must he so, and that of all
women she was preferred by Donald Hol-
land, and selected by him to be his wife,
"And I have always thought he fancied
cousin Jane" unused Jack, turning the
ring round the dainty finger, with her
stately ways and long words, when ii was
after all. All, how glad | am"
The door swung softly open and a lady
entered, tall, elegant woman. robed in
trailing folds of silk Jack looked up
smilingly.
Down so soon, Jennie? I was not ex-
pecting you for an hour yet" Miss March
mont bowed quietly.
| have been walking for an hour and a
half in the acacia garden she said, in a
clear metallic voice, that somehow sent a
shiver over her listener.
Jacks brows contracted for an instant,
then she laughed softly and held up to
view the shimmering ring
See cousin mine. Do you not wish me
ioy?0
Miss Marchmont's eyes blazed, and
dull red spot glowed for a brief second
on each sallow check; but, conquering
herself, she asked in voice husky from
emotion:
1t is Mr.. Hollands ring, is it not -
a rosy tint flushed Jacks neck and face.
Yes :" she replied, eve are engaged"
He was here this morning"
He was. 1t has not been half an hour
since he went away The red spots in
Mss Marchmont's cheeks faded away. and
the face grew ashen; but she kissed Jacks
lips and wished her JOY. and then with
slow step left the room. Out in the acacia
walk She swept her silken skirts up and
down, back and FORTH until it seemed that
the restless feet must stop from sheer ex-
haustion. AT the extreme end Of the walk
stood, beneath two palmetto trees. a 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 inner
tied all the love for ease and luxury COM
mon to the race of Oriental devotees.
So he will marry her" she muttered
between her set teeth. She, little petted
darling Of every one. Ny God my heart
will break She sank down on her knees,
her body shaking With contulsive sobs. |
" It cannot--it must not be" she cried, !
wildly. | who love him so, who have
endured so much, should be the one"
The smoldering grey eyes Igrew in
tensely black; the long, almond-shaped
lids expanded, and white, deadly line
encircled her mouth. We're it not for
her, he would take me- | must vii.
put her out of the way
\ faint, >iellening 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 sprang quickly from the arbor
But she was too late to escape. Half sus-
pended from at;lr-reaching branch directly !
before her, with forked tongue and glisten- |
ing eyes, young cobra looked down upon |
its victim. But Jane Marchmont was |
made of brave material, and drawing the /
long poniard she always carried, she |
waited courageously for the great greenish /,
head to descend.
it came slowly down. The white fangs
looked keen and sharp, and the hideous /
mouth yawned liked the mouth of some f
terrible cavern.
Jane felt the edge of the poinard: it
would have split hair, and, graspine the
handle tightly. she waited for the last
quick dart which the serpent would make
al lis victim, and when it came she raised
the dagger high in the air and gave the
cobra one deadly blow. 1t 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 and fell upon the green sWard by the
severed head. Miss Marchmont eyed the
dead serpent iiXedly, and a tiendish thought
entered her brain.
Unwindiug the crimson scarf from her
neck and shoulders She wiped her dagger.
Then with the aid of her scarf She drew
the dead body into the arbor and covered
il carefully with leaves
Half an hour later she entered the
diuing-room rs composediy as though She
had but come from 4 quiet slumber and
embracing her cousin, leased her plavlullv.
Late in the afternoon Jack complained Of
a headache, and with the gentlest touch in
the world Miss Marchmont bathed it with
cologne, and advised her 10 walk down 10
the arbor and have a quiet nap
II | sleep too long YOU must cali me,
for Donald is to come at o'clock She
said, as She stood on the threshold Of the
door. Nannette, the maid, was brushing 1
the hall and heard the low tones Is Jack
stepped oil the yeranda.
Miss Marchmont promised and a queer.
lneXplicable smile PLAYED round her
month as Jack disappeared down the
walk
She has gone to her death she Kissed.
g for the living cobra viii as surely follow
the trail Of It's dead mate as the sun
shines. 1t Is there by this time, and woe
to you, Jaqueline Kane Your lovers
eyes will see you a loathsome bloated
thing when next they rest upon you: and.
as you die, 50 may perish all who stand
between my love and me"
The moments crept on. and the hand on
the dial pointed to the hour of FIVE Miss
Marchmont walked back and forth. her
rustlirg silk trailing in heavy folds on