The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1886-04-03
MISS .vANSTONE'S VENGEANCE.

Miss Ethel Vanstone could not make
: up her mind for long time whether
she preferred jack Benson or Lord 'Dar-
ley. Jack was certainly the better
looking, and lie possessed the romantic
attraction of being a briefess barrister,
without means OF expectations. Miss
Vanstone affected to despise wealth and
p position, which she could afford to do,
being an heiress in her own right, with
no other relative than a rich, weak
minded uncle, who doatcd upon her.
But, though Lord Dyrley was the son
OF peer, and would one day succeed
to. the family honors and estates, he
was meanwhile delightfully."- impecun-
ious, and if he was not handsome, he
was exceedingly quaint and amusing.
MissS n1nstone found impossible to
decide (which She liked the better, and,
to complicate matters, her admirers
were old friends, and each seemed to
hang back out. Of Difference to. the
% other. -. ~
,HoWever,*tlle young lady's uncertain
ty probably arose from doubts as to
which would. eventually propose, for
- when Jack Benson at length ayowed his
= affection he, was accepted without hes
itatiQn. The engagement appeared
likely to secure the permanent 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-shakin"s
the meaning of which Miss Vnlstone
was at a lossttssr.,slne. Her friends
sin1led r;...]Sssehalicieusly whichever SHE
'rufer,rd 6 Jack, until she could not
helY Efceiving that some unpleasant
secret was being transparently concealed
from her. Her pride .preyented her
isroh demanding explanations, ,,the more
especially as Jack vowed and declared
s that Ills conscience was as cienr as the
MONDAY sun. But, though she impli-
city believed in him, she felt troubled
and uneasy insf spite ,$Sof herself and
dreaded that some ,disagreeAble revela-
tion was in store for| her. This FORE
boding, not unnaturally, proved cor
rect, for one day she received an
,a}pohymous letter Informing; her that
Jack and Lord barley had tossed up O.
penny piece in a. public rpom at the
Blenheim Club to decide which should
propose to her, and that her engage
u2ent was regarded as an excellent joke.
Now Miss Vanstone was a very way
ward young lady,! and she had almost
resolved to forgive Jack any delin-
quency he might havo been guilty of
8 rather than break Off the engagement
out Of Difference to public opinion. But
the startling and unlooked-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 ap-
pear. ridiculous rendered her absolutely
: furious; independently Of che anpleas-
ant suspicion which naturally presented
itself regarding Jacks sincerity. She
considered that she had been insulted IN
=, a. manner which admitted. of no excuse
, or ,palliation, ) AND, unfortunately for
himself, Jack Benson came toscall when
her Indignation was at its height. ...
,':'"What lis the meaning Of this,
Jackp'' she inquired, sharply, as he
entered the room. ..... ...s., ......
"What's upp" demanded Jack, ap-
prehensively. ..... y.
','Read and tell me If what this note
says is true" said Miss Vanstone, with
the air of tragedy queen.
Jack took the note, hnmbly, looking
very much sperturbed. !. He seemed less
surprised than confused as he glanced
oversthe . dotbment, and Miss Van.
stone'sshopesthat he%wouid meet Tie
accusation with an indignant, denial
vanished on the spot ag..i zg1E.l
I3You are not going to, take any no.
tice Of this, Ethtl2" ho said, with a lu-
dicrous attempt at scornful indiffcr-
ence.
"Not If you will tell mo what it SAYS
Is false. In that case win throw 1t