Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-07
RETRIBUTION.
BY THE DUCHESS
[Csntinued.

ing all MS teeth again. you were quito
In proper trim, my dear fellowi Not
suspicion Of intovication about you"
This laugh Is replctc with insolence.
In fact, the remark just made has refer
ence to q subject that has grown sore
from rough handling. II has reference
70 little scene In the carly town life Of
Gerald Massareene, who one evening,
going little of his head after the ter
mination,of a triumphant Derby day, took
perhaps little more champagne than
was good for him. Some-his friends
said II was only his usual excellent
spirits raised to an excited pitch because
OF his having made good thing of the
winner. Others-his acquaintances Che
had no enemies, good lad that he was)-
said II was the excellent spirits Of the
club cellar. However It was, Massarcene
went considerably beyond bounds, and
was In the morning thoroughly ashamed
OF himself. Then came his introduction
to Millicent Grcy-almost little girl at
that time, but old enough TO inthrall and
hold him with her budding beauty. And
with his growing love for her grew his
fear that this one episode (vulgar cpl
sode, he called ~ should be made known
10 her. Il was an absurd fear, Of course,
and arose more from an apprehension
that she would regard him with disgust
than from any very moral regret for his
misconduct; but, be that as Il may, Grant
Boyle knew OF his nervous horror Of its
being known-and, for the matter Of that,
90 did Millicent, who had heard Of the
little affair a long time ago, and had
laughed good deal at several Of the
smaller details concerning It. Indeed, It
had been q very innocent oifense from
first TO last.
At Grants words Massarecnc's face
flames, and q sudden fire brightens his
eyes. At the moment II is easy to see
that there Is little love lost between the
two men.
''You meant" says Massarecnc, a little
sharply, taking n step forward.
"Just what / said dear boy-that you
were emincntly sober. Could / have
borne higher testimony to your charac-
teri Miss Grey-as you seem TO have some
doubts about the accuracy OF my state
ment-will, am sure, corroborate what
have Just said"
81 refuse to give my countcnancc to
anything you may chance to say" re-
turns Milliccnt, in n low tone, but with
flashing eyes.
She has understood the drift Of her
cousins remarks, and bitterly resents
them. She may not be overland always
10 Massarccnc, but she will permit no
one else 20 be uncivil 20 him.
"what" cries Boyle, gayly, arching
his brows and lifting his shoulders in a
foreign fashion that either belongs 10 him
or has been cultivated TO nicely, ''you
disagree with me' You really think
that our friends eXtremely-er-em-
prcssc manner. his hurried entrance, etc,
meant - the -er-the other thing?
Really, dear Mnssarccne, would not
stand that II were you. You look rs II
you would like TO murder somebody
with light laugh-"that Is the standing
condition Of your countrymen, ehi Why
not call Miss Grey out!'
"Dueling is out OF fashion, and one
only horsewhips men," replies Massa-
reenc, mcaningly, with his eyes fixed
steadily upon his opponent.
"Oh, but n duel under such conditions
that cannot be out Of fashion, rs II
has never yet come In. Why not set II!
BE leader OF II! And n tctc tete with
Miss Grey, even under such cquivocal cir
cumstanccs, might not be altogether
without its charm"
lie throws out this last taunt quite
airily-making even slight movement OF
the hand that somehow adds TO the ag-
gressive impertincnce Of II.
Massarcene throws up his head, as
though sccnting battle, and his face
pales. Millicent, marking these signs Of
coming storm, enters the breach hastily.
~ do think, Grant, +" she says, glancing
insolcntly at her cousin from beneath
half closed lids, THAT when you try TO
! be amusing you are the most unpardon-
ably stupid person l ever met. Your
jokes always make me feel inclined TO
weep"
.in this instancey" demands he,
quickly, his face darkening and an evil
light coming into his eyes.
"And In every other. Ono yawns
enough In all conscience "a one goes
through life without being compelled TO
do II by those who would fain believe
they stir our laughter. Give It up, my
dear Grant; comedy is beyond you-the
heavy business suits you better"
A glance at he. cousin convinces her
that she has amply rcvenged herself His
brow Is rs black as midnight and his
mouth has taken the old expression that
added 10 his discontinue by breaking
] u
from her perusal Of review, rs scurril.
Gus rs II Is just, Of book written by
friend OF hers, that she finds Of cngross-
ing intercst-the review, that is, not the
! book.
"what Is ~" asks she, looking up In
high good humor Really, the review
has quite exceeded her expectations. "lf
It Is anything amusing pray let me hear
H. | have been 81 put out by very
harsh criticism on dear Fanny Ellwood's
novel that require something 10 cheer
me. Some little jest OF yours, Granitl
Come, tell IL 10 me, though must say,
my dear, you look more like an Othcllo
this moment than one born In q merry
hour All, here comes tea at last! just
move my chair little, will your Thanks,
dear Grant. am fast becoming an old
woman, eh!'
Grant Is In Just such pleasant mood
as urges him 10 tell her she Is already
amongst the frosts and SHOWS OF life; but
prudcncc-a feeling more powerful with
him than most Others-rcstrains him.
He Is obliged, however, TO move her
chair into the exact position pointed out,
and 10 perform divers other small ser
vices for her with u smiling face and mp
parently willing air, while grinding
under the thought that he Is leaving the
other two free 10 carry on low conver-
sation uninterrupted.
GLOW angry you were about Grants
( innuendo just now," whispers she,
drawing her skirts aside that he may drop
upon the low lounge beside her. "Yon
need not have been. Did you think
never heard Of that one little flnsco Of
yours, chr"
She leans toward him and smiles lit
tie. The young man starts and colors
hotly. Yet her smile is so sweet, 40 kind
never has her manner Ncen 81 rcplctc
with gentleness ms now.
"You knew-you heard''-stammer
he.
"why, yes. Was it such mighty Sc.
trct, such an awful crimci Did you
think could not condonc-forgivei"
She II still smiling ON him, her beauti.
full eyes rivcted upon his. Massarcenc's
heart is beating passionately. lie feels as
| II he car scarcely brcathe-and yet he Is
breathing moro freely than he has done
| for n long time now thnt he knows she