Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-13

coucealment was, in respect to Viola, IL I'm.
worthily conceived, at least free from evil.
This thought strengthened me, and l was
able to face my in terrogator But, all the
same, It was a great modification to feel
that in order to explain matters to this man
Unjust, as it were lay bare my most sensl-
tive feelings.
you know my true nameT / asked.
mo. But have seen you some where
Vienna, Paris-I forget where Then you
were not called Vane."
my name is Julian Lorraine"
Julian Lorraine" he repeated, musingly:
81 have heard that name in the world. and
with little good attached to it. But it could
not have referred to yourself. You are too
young But your reason for the 1ecep-
onl Speakr' he said fercely.
| curbed my rising anger, and, as well as
/ could, told him why had wooed Viola
under false name. l think he believed
me, but / saw scorn on his face as he lis.
tened
''Thp act Of fool" he said. "Mr. Lor-
ane, such romantic affairs should be left to
poets and novelists Viola Keith would
need neither riches nor poverty with the
man she loved. l tell you, if | were to go
tomorrow and make known to her Y our
douh of her single heartednes', l could
shatter the whole fabric of your happiness.
Why should not do so.'
st would be the act of fiend," | said.
He laughed not pleasantly. Yes, 1t
would | 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 Mss Keith in your right NAME
Nor he said, seeing was ready to spring
from my seat in Indignation, mo! l Will
have no protest. You have brought this
upon yourself You have given me the
right to mistrust you"
will you be good enough to show me
the right by which you interfere at allf'
Isaid.
Until her twenty first birthday l am
Miss Keith's guardian"
"A very young one" | sneered.
YES; but older than you think. Her
mother died six years ago | was then 80;
she thought me old enough to be nsr child's
guardian and l will see the trust to the
end
The meaning thrown into the last sem
tence did no. escape me- 1t impliel that he
still viewed me with distrust. My anger
was thoroughly aroused.
Perhaps Mr.. Grant," said, there is a
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.
THAT, sir" he said, calmly, lis ungen-
erou'. had hoped that my love for Miss
Keith was a matter unknown to all save
myself l 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 l lay down my low. Yet I
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
Hooked at him saw that his face was pale.
and on his forehead were drops o. moisture
HIS appearance almost startled me; Tut |
said nothing | rose and wished him good
night. Somehow, in spite of the di like
with which the man had inspired me- there
was about him a strength and dignity which
impressed me more than | cared to own.
He accompanied me to the door When it
closed, l paused for moment to light one
of my own cigars Then I crossed the
road. As did SO, glanced lack The
gas was burning in the room which | had
just left; the blind was drawn up. | saw
Grant enter, throw himself into the chair
which ! hal left vacant, stretch his arms
out on the table, and lay his heai upon
them, like one in agonies of grief He was
bewaillng the loss of the happiness which
had won.
lpltied him, but l hated him. 1t seemed
to me that If this man set his heart upon q
( lata cb.,
it to him. What would it be if now he
used all his power to rob me Of Violaa |
knew that uil the ring was on her finger /
should have no peace of mind.
The next day, when | paid nv visit to
Viola, l was full of the fear that should
find Eustace Grant at her side, perhaps ex-
ercsing all his craft In spite of his as
sumption of ffankness, 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.
Once or twice met him, apparently com
ing from thu house On these occas ions he
bowed gravely. but did not stop to speak.
His visits We're evidently paid at such times
as did not clash with mine | rared in
wardly to think that he had a RIG lit to visit
Viola at any TIM; but | was 100 proud to
remonstrate. 1t was some comfort to me
. to hear Miss Rossiter occasion ally remark
that they saw little or nothing of Eus;ace
now.
Viola sci iom mentioned his name No
doubt, VITA woman'S ql c,lna's, she I'M
derstoCd that it was distaStefui to me.
Nevertheless, | knew that she held her
guardian in tie greatest esteem, and looked
forward to the time when we should be
1
Viola once my wife, the acquainta nce be-
tween her and this strong willei, attractive
man should cease.
AS san /, am indeed a ptifu herol
But if / saw nothing of Grant l heard
from him. He wrote ne telling me he had
been informed by Miss Keith that our mar.
rage was to take place very shortly He
would be glad to know my intentions re-
speeding the settlement OF her own small
fortune There vas peremptorness about
the wording of the letter which nettled me
extremely. wrote back that it was quite
true we were TO be married in few weeks
time, but that it was not my intention to
settle my wifes money upon her. Tho sum
was too paltrv to trouble about as it woull
be qui e lost sight of in the large post
nuptial settlement which proposed max.
ing. II Mr.. Grant felt any douot as to nv
means he could make inc aries of NV solicit
tor, who had my instructions to answer all
his questions fully.
To this letter he did not reply; but
heard that he made the inquiries, as sug.
geste1 No doubt, in VIoia's interest, he
was right in so doing; but liked him none
the more for the action.
Yes; Viola, overcome by my lmpas
stoned PRAYERS. he'd consented 10 an almost
immediate marriage. There was, indeed
no rea on why we should wait dav. Sb,