The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-02-07
Grace Lilburne's Secret.
A STORY or
TWO CHRISTMAS DAYS.

love, nef nehfI beetiltu 10 Jake HIe, anu
her brain became active for evil as that
OF a iiend.
All the pent-up malignity in her ma
ture now asserted itself, and she was
ready TO commit any crime so that she
might crafty her hatred and win for
herself some OF the great advantages
now possessed by her rival.
Love misplaced, and affection slight
ed are sometimes plessled as excuses
for deeds Of passionate revenge; but,
though the plea Is bad one, Grace Lii
burne could not shield herself behind
even that flimsy pretext.
1t is true that she coveted the adj
miration and devotion Of Roland Ayre;
but this was rather because IL was given
TO Kate than because she set any very
great store upon II for itself.
Indeed she was incapable Of the
strong, passionate, self-denying devo-
ton that is quality OF even the most
selfish love, and thus, though she would
gladly enough have committed any
crime to win her sisters lover, she
would very readily accept a substitute
II she failed.
Therefore, II was not solely on ac-
count of Roland Ayre that she now
gave herself up heart and soul TO work
evil, but envy Of Hates beauty, of her
wealth, and even Of her virtues made
this wicked creature determine upon
her half-sister's destruction.
But how was II to be accomplished2
1t is easy to wish an enemy dead, and
only little more difficult to some ma
lures to resolve to make the wish
reality, If an opportunity to do so can
be found; but 1t Is not always easy to
make the opportunity and to carry out
the vile intention in such manner that
no suspicion shall attach itself to the
perpetrator.
"She shall de-" Kissed Grace, as she
clenched her little hands till her nails
dug themselves into the pink palms;
"yes, she shall die this very night, even
II risk my own life by putting an end
10 hers. But how-how am to do itY"
She bent her head in morbid anxious
thought, and she wandered about the
deserted passages and corridors OF the
ancient portion Of the castle, as though
she expected that the ghosts of some Of
her dead ancestors, who had been no
torious for their evil deeds, would come
to tell her how to accomplish her muir
derous design.
In her restlessness she wandered up
TO the top chamber in the old tower,
and listened to the bowling of the wind
and peered through the narrow window
into the darkness beyond.
A river ran near the base of this tow
era deep silent river, that would not
readily betray her If she gave it a vic
tim; but how could Kate be consigned
to the dark water in such manner that
help would not be forthcomingp
She mused on this scheme so long
that she at last bethought her of way
in which to entrap Kate down to the
riverside.
IL Kate received note purporting to
come from Frank Fairfield, the son of
her foster-mother, and whose mad in
fatuation for her sister had banished
him from the castle, Kate might per-
haps yield to the appeal and go out to
meet him, and then under cover OF the
dark night the rest would be easy.
But would Kate keep the appoint
ment, or would she not be more likely
to hand the note to her father and ask
him to deal with the imprudent writer?
Here was the difficulty.
Grace knew that she would herself be
an easy dupe for such plot, but Kate
was so uncomfortably straightforward,
what was due to her own honor and
dignity, that she might regard tie most
impassioned appeal as an insult, and
resent 1t accordingly.
And then again, Frank would not
dare to ask Kate to meet him, and she
would know this, and for this reason, il
for no other, would not 60 to the rendez-
vOus.
Next to Kate l detest him." Grace
muttered vindictively; but there has
been no love lost between us all our
lives; he was the terror of my childhood,
and yet, for all that, played him some
clever tricks, and often got him punish
ed when he would otherwise have es-
capped. All, that reminds me; in this
very tower is the secret well that he
threatened to throw me into; it will an
| swer my present purpose If | can once
get Kate to its edge. That will be Q
grand revenge indeed upon both OF
them"
She laughed n low wicked laugh, and
the wild wind, as though in sympathy
shrieked among the branches OF the
leafless trees that partially surrounded
the mansion.
But Grace needed not the sound; She
had given up her whole mind to work
evil, and the means by which to accom-
plish her foul purpose were near a
hand.
II must and will get her here thi'
very night" she muttered; but how II
it to be done? All. | have 1t; Illproo
pose game of hide-and-seek, and /
shall go hard with me If don't maxi
Kate hide in place where Roland Ayr,
will never find her. Wen have mod
ern edition of The Misletoe Bough.'
Then she began to sing in a mockinl
tone:
"And young Love cried;
'Oh where dost thou hideY
am lonesome without thee,
| Nv 0xxn danr hrida ~
She finished the song, the singing O
which seemed TO give her much salts
faction, though she had not singh
listener, and when all her arrangement
were made she went back to the hall
but it was some time afterwards befor
the happy lovers rejoined the guests.
~ wish you would try to put littl
sphit into the people, Kate" said MI
Lilburne to his eldest daughter as sh
and Roland reentered the hall; "every
thing seems to flag, and the musician
are half asleep"
"Poor fellows, they are tired, an
hungry too, | have no doubt here II
terposed Grace with more consideratio
than she had ever shown before. "Lt
them go into the kitchen, papa, an
join in the fun the servants are havin
we can amuse ourselves
"But howY" asked Mr.. Lilbume dub
! ously.
: We'll have some Christmas game
} We will get up some charades, or hay
I. seek. That would be the best ful
! wouldn't its" she added, appealing
! Roland.
|, at would be change" he reptile
. indifferently, "and | dare say peop
ara triad of dancing Snma ara poir