The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1890-07-18
HER VENGEANCE.

twentv-tive Years ago. with lis prini-
tive-looking pulpit and high-backrd
pews, and the slight girlish figure con-
fronting alone the tribunal of grim
deaeons and rigid church members,
might have suggested n later star
chamber 10 a spectator
A church meeting had convened to
deal with Sylvia Graham. who had
been accused of tresspass, aud whose
fair. fresh face contrasted in the dim
light of the chandelier with the rather
stolid. care-lined ones around her. She
had come among them a stranger six
months ago. bringing letter of dis
miss;il from the church In her English
home to one of the same faith in Hoid-
ly, Canada. and had been formally adj
mitted TO membership.
She was a Young wife. She had
married Philip Graham, captain of the
Echo. upon weeks acquaintance. 10
escape from an unconsenal home
where stepmother reigued. and had
sailed with him for Hoadly week
later.
The quiet home he provided for her
in the city seemed lonely enough
in his absence. She had hoped To find
friends among the church members.
but with few exceptions they held
+
had too pretty face for her own
good" the older women declared.
.'She was too fond of dress, too full OF
mirih and jest and laughter for a
church member. There had been an
iIreyerent smile on her face. even.
when she had stood up to receive the
right hand of fellowship. A woman
whose husband was absent conId not
be-. too discreet"
Therefore, when charge was
| brought against her by a male member
and sustained by his wife. who had been
one of her few friends, il received
ready credence.
There was no mirth In her face now
a she listened 10 the testimony of her
accuser. a man in the prime. of life.
with dark, sensual face which his
long Christian profession had failed TO
| refine.
| he told that she had called at his
house i'm his wife's absence; had con-
| duct,.d herself wantonly: that hs. hstd
| felt called upon To rebukt. her and send
| her home, aud that she had lett him
| with scolis aud ridicule. His wife tesii-
lied Ia meeting her on the dour-Steps
with strangely bright eNes and flushed
| cheeks when she had returned home;
| that she had a shamefaced, suspicious
look, and had hurried down the street
with scarcely word of greeting.
Sylvia sat with her ewes upon the
mans face and dim wonder in her
soul. why, if there was God, he did
not strike the man dead as he did
Ananias and SapphirsL She looked
round upon the unsy mpathetic faces
with the defiance of "A brave, wild
| creature trapped in the woods. who
sees the monster coming rs she felt the
shadow of disgrace closing darkly
about her
..She had that hardened look when
we went to see her" one of the COM
mittee of women who, according TO
church rules. had visiteil her previously,
| whispered to her neighbor. ''When
Sarah Ann Knowles wanted to kneel
and pray with her she laughed in her
| face and told her tO spend her prayers
for Felix Eynch; said he inSulted her.
as if we'd take her word against his
who's been constant member twenty
| odd years. :"
With the untamed undisciplined
| force of her nature all in arms, Sylvia
| told how she had called at Mrs.
| Lynch's house; how the husband had
met her at the door. told her his wife
was away and persuaded her To go i'm
and wait; how his insulting words and
actions had provoked her to retaliate,
since she thoroughly disliked him and
had only tolerated him on his wife's ac-
count, and how he had followed her to
the door with the threat: You shall
pay for this, my ladyi"
But her story carried no weight in the
| ewes of the church, and her defiant at
tiJude when she should have humbled
herself in the dust was against her.
When the vote for expulsion was taken
| it was found to be unanimous.
| She was on her feet the next moment.
''You shall pay for this when the hus-
band returns" she cried. THAT man
is liarl hate him. hate YOU alll''
The meeting broke mp. and Sylvia
| Graham walked home with blackened
( reputation.
| The Echo was due in three davs. To
I Sylvia it seemed three centuries TO
wait. She was confident that the mas
terful captain would make them repent
of their deed in dust and ashes. for she
knew he bad little sympathy with
slanderers, and his anger, the infre-
I quent anger of "A strong self-centred
nature, was terrible. She was very
fond and proud of him. The hasty
marriage had proved "a love match.
She recalled his last words when he
had kissed her goodbye. You are
too pretty to be left here alone, Sylvia.
must take YOU with me the next vow
age" and her laughing answer, "Oh,
the church will take care of me-"
No one went near her in those DAYS,
I but she did not care. She would soon
be clasped in her husbands arms. soon
be sobbing out the whole story upon
his breast.
window before sun
rise of the dim November morning
watching for him down the street. She
grew feverish with impatience. Per-
haps the vessel had not come in vet.
1t was nearly noon when she decided
to 60 out and make inquiries or take
the long walk to the wharves. As she
put on her cloak the old-fashioned
knocker on the front door sounded.
She opened it to face a young sailor.
who handed her bulky letter and
hurried off before she could frame a
question.
She recognized her husbands hand
writing and tore it open. Ii contained
several bank bills and blolted note.
She read:
Il have heard the whole story of your dis
grace. The place is on tire with il. l dare not
meet you. There is something like murder in
but never want TO see your face again. The
Echo came in yesterday morning. We shall
p. a."