Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-01-08
CHAPTER w.
-Oh, what tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceivem

When first we practice to deceiver'
The attack was SO unexpected that !
Grim ;oned, and for a moment was speech
less. knew that my true motive for the
concealment was, in respect to VIOLA If un-
worthily conceived, at least free from evil.
.his thought strengthened me, and J was
able to face my in terrogator. But. all the
same 1t was great modification to rees
that in order to explain matters to this man
Unjust, as it were lay bare my most sensi-
tive feelings.
1'You Know my true namean asked.
NO But have seen you somewhere
Vienna, Paris-I forget where. Then you
were not called Vane."
"My name is Julian Lorraine
"Julian Lorraine" he re peated, musingly.
II have heard that name in the world. and
with little good attached to it. But it could
not haye referred to yourself. You are too
young But your reason for the decep-
ons Speakt' he said fercely.
l curbed my rising anger, and, as well as
could, told him Way had wooed Viola
under false name / think he believed
me, but I saw scorn OF his face as he lis
tened.
1.-THE act of fool" he said. 'Mr Lor-
aine, such romantic affairs should be left to
poets and novelists. Viola Keith would
need neither riches nos poverty with the
man she loved. tell you, if were to go
tomorrow and make known to her v our
doubt of her single heartedness, I could
shatter the whole fabric of our happiness.
Why should l not do soa'
st would be the act of fiend," I said.
He laughed, not pleasantly. eyes, it
would. l will not do it will even keep
your secret, and let you carry out your
ridiculous plan. But will also do this:
will follow you on your wedding morning,
and see with my own eyes that you have
married Miss Keith in your right name.
moi" he said, seeing was ready to spring
from my seat in ind gnation, moi / will
have no protest You have brought this
upon yourself. You have given me the
right to mistrust you"
"Wil you be good enough to show me
the right by which you interfere at allT'
I said.
''Until her twenty first birthday I am
Mss Keith's guardian"
"A very young one" sneered.
Eyes; but older than you think. Her
mother died six years ago. I was then 80;
she thought me old enough to be aer child's
guardian, and I will see the trust to the
end"
The meaning thrown into the last SEN
still viewed me with distrust. My anger
was thoroughly aroused
perhaps, Mr.. Grant, / said there ia
nearer and dearer right you wish to exer-
else over your ward-one which she her
self alone can bestow."
He drew himself up to his full height.
s'That, sir" he said, calmly, sis ungen.
erous. had hoped that my love for Miss
Keith was matter unknown to all save
myself love her as it may be hey ond
your power to love woman. would lay
down my life for her far more easily
than to-day I lay down my love. Yet /
do this, and to you, my rival, can say:
Take her, and make her happy-make her
happy"
The repetition of the last three words was
not wish; it was Command, threat
Grant was still standing above me, and as
1looke1 at him saw that his face was pale,
and on his forehead were dropsso. moisture.
H appearance almost startled me; hut j
said nothing. / rose anu wished him good
night Somehow, in spite of the dislike
with which the man had inspired me, there
was about him a strength and dignity which
impressed me more than l cared to own.
He accompanied me to the door. When it
closed, paused for moment to light one
Of my own cigars. Then I crossed the
road. AS l did so, glanced back. The
s. was burning in the room which had
just left; the blind was drawn up. saw
Grant enter, throw himself into the chair
which I had left vacant, stretch his arms
out on the table, and lay his head upon
them, like one in agonies of grief. He was
bewailing the loss of the happiness which I
had won.
lpitied him, but hated him. 1t seemed
to mo that if this man set his heart upon a
woman's love, sooner or later she must give
il to him. What would it be if now he
used all his power to rob me of Viola9 l
knew that till thu ring wa, on her finger
should have no peace of mind
The next day, when I paid my visit to
Viola, was full of the fear thatI should
find Eustace Grant at her side, perhaps ex-
ercisipg all his craft In spite of hls as
sumption Of franknass, believed him to be
crafty, to my disadvantage. 1t was fear
which had no foundation. Neither ON that
nor on succeeding days did Grant in any
way interfere with my monopoly Of Viola.
Oaca or twice met him, apparently cong