Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-05-19
Miss Vanstone's Vengeance.

Miss Vanstone's Vengeance.
Miss Ethel Vanstone could not make up
her mind for long time whether she per-
ferred Jack Benson or Lord barley. Jack
was certainly the better looking, and he
possessed the romantic attraction Of being a
briefess barrister, without means or ex-
pectations. Miss Vanstone affected to de-
spise wealth and position, which she could
afford to do, being an heiress in her own
right, with no other relatives than rich,
weak-minded uncle, who doated upon her.
But, though Lord barley was the son of
peer, and would one day succeed to the
family hOnorS and estates, he was meanwhile
delightfully."- impecunious, and if he was
not handsome, he was exceedingly quaint
and amusing. Miss Vanstone found it i'm
possible to decide which she liked the bet
ter, ,and, to complicate matters. her ad-
mirers were old friends, and each seemed to
hang back out Of Difference to the other.
However, the young lady's uncertainty
probably arose from doubts as to which
would eventually propose, for when Jack
Benson at length avowed his affection he
was accepted without hesitation. The en-
gagement appeared likely to secure the per-
manent happiness of both the young people,
but before long there arose the proverbial
little cloud which threatened to wreck their
happiness. 1t came in the shape of vague
whispering and head-shakings, the meaning
of which Miss Vanstone was at loss to
imagine. Her friends smiled rather NAL
iciously whenever she referred to Jack, un-
til she could not help perceiving that some
unpleasant secret was being transparently
concealed from her. Her pride prevented
her from demanding explanations, the more
especially as Jack vowed and declared that
his conscience was as clear as the MONDAY
sun. But though she implicitly believed in
him, she felt troubled and uneasy in spite
of herself, and dreaded that some disagree
able revelation was in store for her. This
foreboding, not unnaturally y, proved correct,
for one day she received an anonymous let
ter informing her that Jack and Lord Dar-
ley had tossed up penny piece in public
room at the Blenheim Climb to decide which
should propose to her, and that her engage
ment was regarded as an excellent joke.
Now Miss VanStone was very wayward
young lady, and she had almost resolved to
fargive Jack any delinquency he might
have been guilty of rather than break off
the engagement out of Difference to public
opinion. But the startling and unlocked
for nature of the accusation which had been
brought against her lover completely upset
all her preconceived intentions. The dis
covery that she had been made to appear
ridiculous rendered her absolutely furious,
independently of the unpleasant suspicion
which naturally presented itself regarding
Jacks sincerity. She considered that she
had been insulted in a manner which ad-
mitted of no excuse or palliation, and, un-
fortunately for himself, Jack Benson came
to call when her indignation was at its
height.
"What is the meaning of this, Jack?'
she inquired, sharply, as he entered the
room.
"What's up9'' demanded Jack, appre-
hensively.
"Read and tell me if what this note says
is true, )" said Miss Vanstone, with the air
of a tragedy queen.
Jack took the note humbly, looking very
much perturbed. He seemed less surpris-
ed as he glanced over the document, and
Miss Vanstone's hope that he would meet
the accusation with an indignant denial
vanished on the spot.
"You are not going to take any notice of
this, Ethel ?" he said, with ludicrous at.
ternpt at scornful Indifference.
mot if you will tell me what it says is
false. In that case will throw it into the
fire and think no more about it."
"Its a cowardly stab in the dark" ex-
claimed Jack, crushing the note in his hand.
''No doubt; but you haven't answered my
question" said Miss Vanstone, COMPRISING
rlips.
"Well, can't deny it altogether" said
Jack in desperation. "But you know what
Tennyson says about lie that is partly truth
''Did you and Lord barley toss up pen
ny piece to decide which should propose to
me?" began Miss Vanstone, categorically.
81 can't deny it. 1t wasn't a penny
piece, though, it was sovereign" said
Jack, clutching at straw.
did this chivalrous transaction take
place in public room at the Blenheim
Club?" inquired the young lady, ruthlessly.
Eyes, it occurred at the Blenhiem. Of
course, all the rooms of the club are public
rooms in a sense" said Jack, "but nobody
observed us. We were alone to all irtents
and purposes. That is where the letter
lies," he added, flinging it viciously into
the fireplace.
'This letter is evidently true in every par
ticular, " returned Miss Vanstone, quivering
with temper and Indignation. "The story
is in every ones mouth. and all my friends
are laughing at me. You must have boast |
ed"
'No, Ethel, will take my oath I have
never said word about it," interrupted
Jack, eagerly. SIT was foolish business,
[ admit, and I wish it had never happened. |
What took place was this: barley and I, as
you know are old friends, and both of us
being in love with you, the situation was
extremely awkward, for, Of course, neither
liked to steal march on the other by pro-
posing first. We finally agreed to toss in
order to decide which should have the ad-
vantage of the first word with you. No
slight or insult to you was intended, our
only idea being to settle amicably and fair
ly very delicate question between us. Oh,
Ethel For heavens sake, don't do that v'
he exclaimed, with start.
But Jacks plaintive remonstrance was
and the engagement ring which
he had almost pawned his immaculate wig
and gown to purchase, was flung contempt
ously on the carpet at his feet. Before he
could find words to express his grief the
reaction commenced, and even then Miss
Vanstone had rushed from the room. thus
manifesting her intention of terminating
the engagement. Jack had no alternative
but to leave the house, apprehending the
worst, and within half an hour he received
back his presents, together with letter
which banished his last hope of a recon-
ciliation.
Miss Vanstone had felt no compunction
about dismissing her lover At the mo-
ment, indeed, she experienced savage
satisfaction in treating him as she consider
ed he deserved. 1t was not until a day or
two later that she did not exactly regret
what she had done. But she experienced
an intense antipathy toward Lord barley
from the conviction that it was he who was
to blame for what had occurred. She be-
lieved Jack when he said he had not
given currency to the story of the tossing,
and it therefore followed that Lord Darley
must be the culpit, Such grave indiscretion
was more likely to emanate from disap-