Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-03-21
A NEW.YEAR'S ERROR.

at is not like you to write such as
this, my false one. 1t is as if your
accusing conscience had made you
careless of your wonted precision and
daintiness," he murmured.
Detective in form as it was certain
", in substance it was impressive
enough
Il do not wish to see you again, now
orever Ii have ever allowed you
to suppose cared for you it was be
cause my family for the time had con
fused my reason and dulled my sensi-
bility by their unceasing importu-
mites. To convince you this is true,
will even confess without reserve that
| most fervently and devotedly love
another
Rathvayne arose from his chair as
Il unconscious ofmotion, and distract
eddy paced the length OF the room.
Hallway down the room he passed
a mirror, and he paused to glance
earnestly, almost fearfully at his re
lection
1t was indeed the look of a man
whose reason might be unsettled and
in fact then, and for some little time
afterward Alger Rathvayne was
scarcely his own natural self
'.Who is this other whom my ador-
ed false one loves?" he resumed. with
increasing agony and excitement. ''Isit
Maimouth de We're who has supplant-
ed me in her atfectiOns-rohbed me of
my joy-who has cheated me OF my
most precious treasure? And shall |
tamely submit to such injury and
atfront? Well, shall represent at the
reception tonight, and ii our happy
klyi, our brief delicious dream, closes
in tragedy the blame and fault are
not mine.
1t was rather late that evening when
he was admitted into the elegant
Craig mansion.
The charming drawing-rooms were
quite empty, alike OF callers and
hostess.
AS he entered low tone-the eager,
triumphant tones OF Malmouth de
conservatory Just behind him.
Rathvayne's pallid face suddenly
flushed dark angry crimson. His
fine eyes shot forth an unnatural fire.
One hand was abruptly thrust inside
his coat, and nervously clinched some
! thing hidden there.
He pushed aside the silken, rosy
| hangings, and gazed searchingly down
the long perfumed aisles of greenery
/ and bloom.
The next instant he started and
impuisively stepped back within the
screen OF the heavy protiere.
Undera tall, blossoming orange tree,
so near that he could almost have
touched her with an outstretched
hand, stood his fair, idolized Van
essa.
Her proud golden head was very
erect at the instant, and her great,
luminous blue eyes were fixed with
something like wonder upon the smil-
ing young gentleman before her.
why do you pretend coy indiffer-
enee now, my queen? Have you not
admitted that you care for me?"
Malmouth de We're was saying.
Alger Rathvayne set his white teeth
sharply upon his neither lip.
"Ah / could sIay them both had
rather lay her dead at my feet then let
her live to belong to the brainless,
soulless society butterfly who has
stolen her from me, he murmured to
himself
And again one shapely hand was
thrust within his coat to tumble the
deadly thing there concealed.
And then, all at once, his saner,
nobler self asserted the supremacy.
A sudden shudder shook his handsome
figure from head to foot.
Great heaven! / have been mad
absolutely mad.'3 he thought But |
am myself again, and | want no
towards vengeance"
He stepped to a window and drew
something from his coat. The moon
shine flashed upon it for second, and
then it fell ringing upon the frozen
snow far out from the lawn.
"She is safe now" he said to him
self.
And during that singular depression
he could still see the sheen of her vio-
let gown, and hear her soft low voice.
There is some absurd mistake.
do not care for you, and | never can
care, Rathvayne heard her say.
His gloomy eyes frightened and the
blood surged to his pallid face.
what did you intend me to think
by your delightful little note, my pet?'
De We're asked.
ut was plain enough" Vanessa an
swered, impatiently. II meant you
to understand that / wished to
1 zoo Won no mora. that haI
only been kind to you because my
family were always pleading for you,
and that loved another"
But you didn't write that" said
De We're, producing dainty note,
fastidiously lettered upon the most
delicate Of violet-tinted paper.
Vanessa caught it with startled
little cry of grief and modification.
"Oh, that was not meant foryou, but
for another" she painted, her blue eyes
I 4. -. II Z =