The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-08-30
MY VENGEANCE.

vacantly into the fire; he in an armchair
close by, and she at the piano.
Three months before had met Harry
Vane in the out-of-the-way country vii
lage where chance had thrown us both.
| was no child; twenty-three summers
and winters had passed over my head
and left me a wealied, unsatisfied WON
an, with numerous acquaintance but
few friends, much wealth but no bappi-
ness, many lovers but no one to love.
Harry Vane was seven years my sem
ior-an educated, travelled, polished man
of the world in its best sense. We were
much together. Our tastes were similar,
though ON many, perhaps most, points
our opinions were diametrically oppo-
site.
first admired, then loved him.
Two months of unalloyed happiness
went by. loved him with an intensity
at which l myself almost shuddered,
and he, perhaps because he had nothing
else to do, loved me. How did I know
that ne loved me? / never could explain.
You might sneer at the foundation on
which my belief rested, and possibly you
would be right.
Then Louise Damerton, having wear
led of Saratoga and Newport, and hav-
ing by some chance discovered my hid
ing place, came too.
She was very beautiful. Even ], who
had known her from childhood, and
knew how false was her heart and how
utterly worthless her character, was
obliged to admit that a more peerlessly
beautiful woman had never seen.
Before three days had passed 1 felt
that was losing the only human being
for whom l had ever cared, and ere a
week was gone knew that for the time
at least | had lost him. Her beautiful
face, her tasteful dress and her innocent,
childish manner had completely en-
thralled the man for whom Lwould have
periled my soul.
said that we were stopping at an out
of-the-way village. The residents them
selves said that it had not grown any in
fifty years, and this statement was read
lily believed by the chance visitors, who
found that in the whole place there was
not single piano. This was an unfail-
ing source of annoyance to Harry Vane,
who was passionately fond of music, and
who soon learned that Louise was pro-
ticient in the art.
But the summer passed away, autumn
came and our party broke up. The cold
winds of December were howling when
we met again. Louise had come to New
York to spend few weeks with me.
We hated each other hotly, had always
done so, and yet our interchange of
visits was frequent. Nor was there any
hypocrisy in this; each understood the
feelings of the other thoroughly; there
was not the slightest deception; but each
understood that for convenience sake
the outward appearance Of civility must
be maintained.
had not seen Harry since summer,
but shortly after Louises arrival he, too,
came to New York, The next day he
came to dinner and spent the evening.
Louise at his request had played and
sung. She had done her best, and done
well.
And this brings me to the opening
scene Of this sketch. All the time had
been sitting with crossed hands, gazing
vacantly into the fire and thinking with
throbbing heart and glowing cheek that
the moment of my triumph was at
hand
He loved music, and what was her
talent to mine? She had not heard me
for years, for in my misanthropy had
refused to play for any one, and only
practiced when entirely alone.
Had she known the truth she would
never have touched piano In my pres
ence But she grew weary Of playing
and he, starting from a dreamy trance,
arose and set chair for her by his
own.
"Would you favor us, Marthaf" sne
asked, in half triumphant, half inso-
lent tone.
He gave her an impatient glance; II
was provoking to have the charm of her
music broken by any ordinary perform
ance.
/ saw at glance and understood il
| perfectly; but without a word l arose
and seated myself at the instrument.
saw them exchange smiles; then be
threw back his head and closed his eyes
as if resigning himself to what could not
be avoided.
Before 1 struck dozen notes, how
ever, his head was raised, and in less
| than FIVE minutes he was at my side
For an hour o. more l played, and he
enraptured with the strains, never left
me.
After that he called almost daily. and
with triumphant swelling of my hear
| saw how completely Louise had lost
her influence and how my own was re
established. Once more ] felt that he
loved me and this time not because
happened to be the only woman near
but because from host of competitor
he had chosen me of mis- own good will.
Louise saw that her almost certain
conquest had become a most humiliatinf
defeat. It cut her to the quick that 1
her avowed enemy, should deprive hei
of the lion Of the season. She saw hel
cause was lost, and TO retrieve it resolved
on a desperate expedient.
She became ia. For several days she
was confined 10 her room, We thought
it only a temporary disorder till the ply
sician gravely informed me that Mis-
Damerton's friends ought TO be notified
was greatly startled. My heart mis-
gave me for the part ! had acted toward
her, and thinking she was dying begar
to reason how much better itwould have
been If l had made no effort to regain
Harry Nanes love. thought how mucl
wiser and stronger | was than This frai
flower hoMunch easier it would be fol
me 70 80 through life alone than thi
: weak child-Yain and tfifing aa snoN