The morning call., 1890-12-17
MISS HARRISON'S
REVENGE.

gray eyes were shaded by brows and lashes
of pure black. Der complexion was exquis-
lite. Nothing in art could match it; and
those curious young ladies who limited that
Miss Harrison's cheeks were painted must
have been very poor judges of color or they
would have known that no pigment could
rival the apple blossom flush which Is so
rare and yet so sweet
Her grace of manner was wonderful, too;
and even the women who envied and dis
liked her when they were away from her
were in her presence won to admiration by
her matchless courtesy. And, of course, it
was difficult for any man 10 Withstand her.
She was a flirt. There was no denying the
charge made so continually against her-in-
deed, do not think she herself would have
denied it. Hearts and fortunes innumerable
had been laid at her feet, but she rejected
the IN all and passed on her Sweetly gracious
way lovely and unapproachable as ever.
To do her justice, she never sought admlra-
ton, and the men whose wings she had
singed closest all averred that she had never
encouraged them.
By and by, Julian Ersklne came home
from four years residence at the Cape. A
handsome fellow, with self-conceit enough
TO sink a ship, and fortune enough to enable
him to practice his profession, the law, or
let it alone, as lie chose. Aud, for the most
part, ne cf0Se 10 let IL alone
Erskine was, in some degree, unprincipled,
and, l suppose, in making this assertion |
ought to remark that his education and
early training had been greatly at fault
He had been left an orphan at a tender axe,
and adopted by a misery, eccentric old
uncle, who alternately petted him and
swoge at him, until the boy became, in de-
gree. reckless. and very nearly desperate as
TO what any one thought of him. When he
grew up, handsome as young AdoDiS, all
the women went TO work and made fool Of
him, as they generally do of a handsome
man. Then his uncle died and left him a
fortune; so there was nothing for the young
man to do tut enjoy himself. He travelled
extensively, and broke all the hearts which
were ready 10 be broken. Indeed, won
derful capacity he had for tiirtations, and
more than one sweet girls happiness he
blghted for life.
Against one unfortunate girl he had CON-
mitted the deepest and bitterest wrong in
the whole black catalogue of crime and sin!
Helen Andrews died when her child was
born, and was glad to hide herself in the
grave IRON the sharp StlngS and reproacheS
of that consistent world which never fur-
give the sins in a-woman they wink at in
a man! Julian Erskine held up his head
and went on bis way, and fair women, virtu-
Gus women they called themselves. smiled
on HIM and made him soon forget the little
Inconvenience the affair had caused him.
OF course, Mr.. Erskine soon met Miss
Harrison.
We had all foreseen that some thing might
grow out of this meeting, and time proved
that we had not been mistaken. He admired
her intensely, and left every other fancy to
devote himself to her. From the very first
she seemed to exercise over him an intiu-
ence potent enough to bend him completely
TO her will; ana l think no man was ever a
more devoted slave to a woman than he was
TO her.
1t went on for three months in the usual
way. Parties, rides, balls, ETC., and Frs
kline everywhere Miss HarrisOn's attendant.
How much real feeling he had toward her,
OF course we had no means of knowing; but
it was evident his pride was involved, and
he would make a conquest Of Miss Harrison
II the thing were possible.
In February there was a fete at Harrison
lodge. All our set were present Miss
Harrison was magnificent Her dress OF
black velvet, with diamonds on her neck
and arms, became her perfectly; and among
her guests she moved with queenly grace
and beauty. l had never seen such flush
on her cheeks and such a sparkle in her
eyes; and there was ring in her voice like
the echo of silver bells.
Burton whispered to Inc, and she had Tilted
Burton some two years before: Look out
for breakers ahead, Adm. Miss Harrison
is on her high horse tonight. and Erskine
is spnuner than ever"
"Pshaw~ replied I; "Erskine cut his
eye teeth long ago, and Annie Harrison
knows it."
Perhaps So" returned Burton, quietly.
But am satisfied that this is real thing
with Erskine. Look at him now while she
is talking to him. Why, man, there's a flush
on his cheek like girls blush at the first
kiss of her lover. And she, by Jove-don't
l know the meaning of the steely CLEAN in
those eyes OF hers? Well, rather think l
do"
l laughed, for l had never given Julian
ErskiDe the credit of having any heart; and
as Tor Miss Harrison accepted society's
verdict, and looked on her az scientific
coquet.
a little after my conversation Wit. Bur
ton | strolled into the conservatory, and
falling into deep study of the case of
patient was attending l forgot all about
everything but the diagnosis | was making
Of old Mrs. Hanlon's malady. L heard
some person come in, but did not notice
them until the intensely passionate voice of
the man arrested my attention.
| glanced up and through the wilderness
of flowers saw Mr. Erskine and Miss Harri-
son. Neither of them observed me; and
what ! read in his face made it impolitic for
me to interrupt him by showing myself /
had never seen face in such deadly earnest
and expressing so much Of concentrated pas
sion.
81 implore you to answer me' he said,
grasping her hands fercely; ''for three in
terminable weeks you have kept me in
agony week more like this would kill
me-"
'sOh no indeed" she said, in that soft
mellifluous voice of hers II think you ex-
aggerate, MIR; Erskine. People are not SO
easily killed"
''But I-loye you! love your he cried al
most savagely.
..'Do you? That is very kind of you," she
returned languidly.
'Do you mean to drive me mad? Annie
Harrison, love you with my whole heart
and soul, with every nerve and fiber of my
body! | want you for my wife! my own.
own vile! Come to my arms-it is my right
to bold you against the heart which knows
no lie but that you give it,
He flung out his arms toward her but she
retreated pace or two aud raised her face
TO his. Every word she spoke was clear and
distinct as the ring OF trumpet, and yet
her voice was lifted scarcely above whis-
per-.
81 will answer You, Mr.. Erskiue, with
pleasure. You have heard of Helen An
drewsP Yes; see you have. Sho was my
half sister and | loved her next 10 my God.
You know your part in the tragedy where
you and she were the principal actOrs-you
know how IL ended. 1t was fortunate for
you, coward and hypocrite that was in a
foreign land at the time she died, for had /
been on the same soil with you / should
have killed you. When the wretchrd tale
came to my ears, sw0re to be revenged on
you, and have taken my own way to fulfill
my vow. Sooner than wed you / would
make myself the wife of the lowest brute in
the universe who could be called man.
There. you have your answer! Coz
She lifted her white hand ana pointed to
the door, He obeyed her without a word.
His face was white as death. and his eyes
had in them a sort of stony desperation.
which sent chill TO my heart.
Halt an hour later l was sent for in haste
to the Royal Hotel. Erskine stayed there.
He had shot himself, the messenger said,
but was still living.
| found him conscious, but sinking rap
idly. He was bleeding internally and the
agony he was suffering would soon be over.
There was nothing l could do but admins
nant.
Alden" said he, feebly, "I meant to do
me job without bungling, but failed miser-
ABLY. You know the reason why judged
1t better to die then live. Miss Harrison
Eyes, yes" said; 81 heard your con-
yersation in the conservatory"
'She was just. / do not blama bar put