Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-05-16
to grow nloveless,

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She raised her pistol for another trial.
The man stopped and leaned against
the target tree.
II beg thousand pardons, Viviane,"
he said, "but really this is very fortunate
for me-"
1t the first word his voice seemed
familiar, and when looked at him, /
recognized the lecturer whose name had
called the thunder gust to Miss Clare's
face at my first interview with her.
why is it fortunate, Mr.. Gilroy2'
it was Miss Clare who spoke. I had
not expected speech from her any more
than one would listen for the voice Of the
marble Niobe. She had not changed her
attitude; it did not seem herself that
spoke; only the stony lips Enclosed, and
from them dropped like icicles the words
addressed to the stranger.
He laughed q little as he replied:
why fortunate2 A strange question,
viviane, for you to ask me. am fortu-
nate because I have been seeking you
without rest for the last ok months, and
was just on my way to the village near
to follow up the clew I thought had Oh.
tanned, when, behold here you are! It
is very evident why consider myself
fortunate, is it not, ViviansY
watched Miss Clare while he spoke.
Every time he uttered her name an ex-
Vession Of intense loathing writhsd
across her face; tho remainder Il l,e ......
she vsas quiet, like the quietness of the
volcano when the lava d boiling in its
bosom, but is still held down by the earth
ar1nor which presses it so heavily. There
was silence for few moments. For the
first time looked earnestly ut the man.
He had not moved from his first position.
a graceful leaning against the tree. He
was tall, elegant. with an appearance of
perfect satisfaction with himself; hand
some, blue eyed. with fair hair and
beard. In his eyes there dwelt the smile
of the internal deities. His form and face
was the shrine of that evil which is more
hideous when beautiful than when ugly.
His was the penetrating. evading sin
which one can feel. but never
dissect and prove. Your heart might
recoil. but your brain could give no rea-
son why it did So His was not the
tangible wickedness that defeats itself
it was the subtle power that absorbs,
conquers and destroys. and gives no
sign Of deformity.
what do you propose doing? Miss
Clare asked A slight flush colorcd the
delicate skin Of Mr.. Gilroy's face.
Il propose making you my wife. Us
you have SO long been mine by contract.
All, Viviane, have SO wished for you.
have waited long for the touch of those
fair hands, for the caress Of those royal
ipsl Is it strange that am impatienty'
He spoke like an cpicure, a sensitivN
refined one, and his eyes glowed with
anticipation. Could mortal woman en-
dure it? But Miss Clare did endure it.
heroically and with rigid resolve. /
thought detected in Gilroy's face the
intention to repay himself with taunts
for his long search and anxiety.
Il shall be happy to escort you to Bos-
ton, Viviane," he continued. "Your
uncle is waiting very anxiously for you.
The fact is, we have both been al
most distracted since your fight. Your
uncle Responded directly. but IL would
have moved the universe to find your
He spoke with almost savage earnest
ness, but still with calm accent and elc-
giant gesture. He went on more indif.
ferently: "But you know he had only 3
fortune, whereas had q wife to lose. A
vast difference, you will perceive, when
the wife in question is Viviane Clare"
THAT is sufficient" suddenly said
Miss Clare. THE future to which you
look forward is impossible. You may
30 back to Boston as soon as you like;
at least. leave hero directly"
Perhaps you have fallen In love dur
ing your retirement" he said, without
moving, and looking at me, apparently
for the first time. Happily for me, l re.
turned his glance with q nonchalancs
worthy Of himself Miss Clare did nol
reply-indeed, he hardly gave her the
opportunity. for he proceeded immedi-
ately:
IF you would be willing to let friend
advise you, don't shock tho proprieties
by cherishing the grand passion as un-
fortunately as your mother did"
The fame had at last reached the
powder. Not till long after did / know
why tho mention Of the mothers name
in such terms thus affected the daughter.
When did know, I wondered no more
at the effect Of those words. A fiery
flame shot into Miss Clare's hitherto con-
trolled face.
do not dare to mention her name
againi" she cried in the tones Of an in
suited queen.
"Reallyw exclaimed Gilroy; shave I
reached you at last, my empress? Your
mother never could have been so hand
some as you are at this moment. If she
had been, l hardly blame that man for
receiving all she offered him."
the fury Of unspeakable agony and de-
spair ragged in Miss Clare's eyes; her
mouth turned white. again. and from it
there broke the words:
Ny mother! Oh. my God! cannot
bear that!''
Swift Gs death she raised the pistol
which had never left her hand-the finger
had not left the trigger. She did not re-
quire time to take aim: If she had, might
have restrained her. Tho flash that
streaned from the pistol was not half SO
terrible as the fire l knew was burning
in her soul. but is mission was more in
s-antancous. Gilroy dropped without a
sigh. with the last haunting smile still Oh
his lips.
sprang to Miss Clare. The instant
Sac hid discharged her weapon she had
thrown it from her. and stood covering
with her face in her hands Horrifisd as