The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-04-07
A SWEET REVENGE
BY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER Ill

attract notice, bit attention it was, I'M
| doubtedly. He walked with me, and told
| me, among other things, great deal about
his early life and struggles for success.
| He was quite interesting. so much so that
| / wished | could check these condolences.
| feared that his talk might awaken sus-
| picion of sympathy III my mind, which
would grievously interfere with my ven-
delta.
That evening he repeated his request
| that / would sing; but after the way IN
which l had misled him, knew he only
| urged me for the sake OF politeness. l be-
| gan with one of those little ballads which
| he so much disliked an easy simple little
| thing, which could only be borne out of
| the commonplace by feeling on the part
| of the singer. | glanced at him as | fin
! isked the song. He thanked me quietly.
| but | saw he looked puzzled. Then l
| placed Beethoven's adelaide" before me,
| aud sung it as had seldom or never be-
fore sung entirely TO my own satisfac
| ton. rose from the piano, and our eyes
met. He did not join in the chorus of
| thanks; but | knew he was more than
| moved; and as he followed me to my chair
/ eXulted, as | thought that the pet weapon
in my armory had struck well home.
Miss Rivers" he said, Il thought no
amateur in England could sing that song
TO her own accompaniment as you sing 1t.
] cen only congratulate you while blaming
on for d. ceiving me so last night"
| thanked him for his compliment, and
for the rest of the evening Mr.. Hope talked
little except to me.
There.-I will write no more about it.
Now | am utterly ashamed of it all. Had
it not been for my resolve to reject 1t when
offered, ] would have stopped to win no
g Rnt
IN five days | knew that my work was done,
and fully done-so fully that | dreaded the
result OF it, and began to wish l had not
been SO yindirtiye. Worse than all,
friends friends will were exchanging
knowing glances, and commenting on the
relations which appeared to exist between
my foe and myself.
Could / have conquered my nature, and
decided to forego my revenge, 1t was now
impossible to do so. For my own sake.
matters must come to climax, hat all
might see how little cared for the nan.
One night, as | sat in my dressing gown
over the lire, trying to make up my mind
10 tear myself from the pleasant glow and
get into bed, Mabel Lighton entered my
room. She was a good, true girl, who
spoke her mind freely, and at times lee
tured even me.
Heritage, she said, abruptly, what do
you mean 10 do with Vincent Hope?"
l could not for the life of me help
changing color, and was compelled to
shield the cheek nearest Mabel with the
fan which had been protecting my eyes
from the freight.
DO with him! l don't know what you
mean"
eyes, you do" retorted my mentor. Had
it been any one but you, Heritage, | should
how coll c1 hnr Hint Rrrtr ara, NOT n
tlirt, We know"
What have | done, Mabel?" / asked.
The screen was still between US.
Mabel quietly pushed it aside; then,
placing her hands on my shoulders, scru-
tinted my face III a most uncomfortable
manner.
"You have done this, and who can won
der at 1t? You have gained that mans love
entirely. But, although it seems so I'M
like you, believe you have brought him
to your feet for yanitys sake. Heritage,
he is a good mana proud man. If you
mean to give him nothing in return,
should say his life will be wrecked. Do
you love him, or are my fears we'll founded?"
In some fashion, was bound to reply.
l sought refuge in levity
When [ am moved to confess my sins,
Mabel, it will not be to YOU, but to some
Don't talk nonsense. | am in bitter
earnest. Vincent Hope will surely ask you
to be his wife. You are rich and he is
comparatively poor; but l know that will
not influence you. Only l say again, if
| you refuse, you are to blame for all that
happens"
This must be stopped at any cost. Until
now had always believed that Mysteries
| and affectation were synonymous.
Mabel" | said, Il hate Vincent Hope;
| but at this moment / think | hate you even
| more! Go to bed. | am too tired to say
another word; so go away"
Herewith, l got into bed, turned my
| face to the wall and left Mabel to put out
my candle and get back to her own quar-
| tiers when she thought fit.
| was annoyed and ashamed. She had
nearly accused me of what l had in truth
| been guilty of making love to my enemy.
As people noticed my conduct, it became
| more and more necessary that | should
| clear myself from all such imputations
! This could be done in one way only.
Perhaps had the grace to avoid Vincent
| Hope somewhat during the next two DAYS.
| Perhaps that very avoidance fastened the
| catastrophe. But on the third day, chance
pure chance, mind left us together and
| alone. For a moment there was silence
|
said In a quiet, earnest voice:
"Herlta ge, love you. VIII you be my
wife,"
1 could not answer. All I could do was
TO prevent myself breaking into hystericai
laughter,
He tried to take my hand.
| Heritage, my darling! | think l loved
you the moment l saw you. Look up, and
| answer me. Say you love me and will be
my wifel"
His wife After hating him for SO long
after Mabels reproaches-after winning
his love in a way the thought of which
made me blush! Never, never. never
SO / steeIed myself-drew myself up to
every inch of my height, looked him full
in the face-triumphed. and took my re-
| venge. | hope and think / spoke COM
posedly, if not coldly.
Mr.. Hope, You honor me greatly, but il
cannot be. Please never mention it again.
His face was very pale; and when an
expire sion of positive pain left it, grew
stern, almost hard. My manner must
have convinced him | was in earnest. No
| doubt, had | wished to do so, could have
made him fall at my feet and plead pas
sionately. But then, unless one is an
utter savage, indebtedness must be lin
! tied had done enough. Perhaps, under
| SUCu Why circumstances, no man could
have behaved in a more dignified manner
than did Mr.. Hope.
Il am to understand" he said, calmly.
but with a look in his eyes which | dared
not meet am to understand you-you do
not love me2'
bowed.
Please let me hear you say so he said
| I do not. Let us say no more about it.
/ think | will so back to the house now."
We walked in silence until we were
close to the gates. Then he said
Unless my presumption to day makes
my presence unbearable TO you, l shall
stay two days longer, as | promised Mr..
LIghto4. 1t is not worth while to set PEG
pie lnquiring as to the reason for hasty
departure"
Certainly not, | answered. "Stay as
long as you wish; or, if you prefer it,
will leave"
That is out of the question, he replied,
rs we crossed the threshold and parted.
| went to MY room-to exult. of course,
IN MY revenge 1t WAS so full, so com
plete. so exactly as | planned it. and
|