Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-07
LOVES VICTORY.
By BERTHA b. CLAY.

And you rnink,' ne SAID MS lace pllc
with passion, that you may do as you like
that your contempt for all proper laws your
willful caprice, your uncomfortable pride, are
to rule every one? You are mistaken, Miss
Darrell. Ii you had consented to marry Au-
brey Langton, [ would have made You my
hereSS, because / should have known th3t
you were in safe hands, under proper guild
ance; as it iS-aS you have refused i'll every
Instance 10 obey me, as you have persisted
in Ignoring every wish of mine-it is time we
came to a proper understanding. | beg to
announce to yOu the fact that | am engaged
to be married-tilat | have offered my hand
and heart to lady who is as gentie H. you
are the reverse
A dread silence followed the words; Pali-
line bore the blow like true Darrell, never
hnching, never showing the least dSndy.
After time she raised her dark, proud eyes
TO his face.
IF your marriage is for your ilaPpn -, :.
wish you joy" she said, simply.
''There is no doubt but that it will add
greatly to my happiness, %he put in, shortly.
''At the same time res ned Pauline, y
must tell you frankly that /, not think you
have used me well. You toiG nc when
came here that | was to be heiress ST Darrell
Court. have grown to love it, l have snap
ed my life in accordance with what you said
to me, and do not think it is fair that you
should change Your intentions"
'YOu have peraistently dehed me, /" return
ed the barOnet; you have preferred your
least caprice to my wish; and now YOU must
reap your reward. Had you been dutiful.
obedient, submissive, you might have made
yourself very dear to me. Pray, listen" He
raised his fine white hand with gesture that
demanded silence. My marriage need net
make any difference as regards your resi-
dence here. AS you say, you are a Darrell,
and my niece, so your home is here; and,
unless you make yourself intoltrable, you
shall always have a home suitable to your
position. But, as | can never hope that You
will prove an agreeable companion to the lady
who honors me by becoming my wife, l
should c gratefu to Miss Hastings if she
would r,nia.n with yOu."
Miss Hastings bowed her head; she was
too deeply grieved for words.
ut Is my wish that YOU retain your present
snte OF rooms" continued Sir Oswald; "and
Lady Darrell, when she comes, will, | am
sure, try to make everything pleasant fol
you. | have no more to say. AS for express
ing any regret for the part you have acted
toward my young FRIEND Aubrey LangtOn,
1t is useI: sS--we will let the matter drop"
All the Darrell pride and passion had been
slowly gathering in PaulmeS heart; tOr-
rent OF burning words rose to her lips.
IF yon wish to marry, Sir Oswald" she
said, you have perfect right to do S0--no
one can gainSay that; but l say you have
acted neither justly nor fairly to me- As fol
the stranger YOU would bring to rule over
me, | Shall hate Ii Il, and | will be regeEged
on her shall tell her that she is taking my
place; | shall speak my mind openly to her;
and, if she chooses to marry you, to help
you to punish me, she shall take the conse-
quences."
Sir Oswald laughed.
81 might be alarmed by such a melodra-
matte outburst," he said, ''but that know
you are quite powerIess;" and with pro-
found bow to Miss Hastings, Sir Oswald
quilted the library.
Then Pallnes anger burst forth she grew
white with rage.
II have not been fairly used" she cried.
ale told me Darrell Court was to be mine.
My heart has grown to love it; / love it bet
ter than love anything living"
Miss Hastings, like sensible woman, re-
Trained from saying anything on the subject
from reminding her that she had been
warned time after time, and had only laugh
ed at the warning. She tried to offer some
soothing words, but the girl would not listen
to them. Her heart and soul were i'll angry
revolt
Il might have been useful woman" she
said, suddenly, ''if [ had had this chance in
life; might have been happy myself, and
have made others happy. As it is, l swear
that | will live only for vengeance"
She raised her beautiful white arm and
ieweIed hand.
Listen to me-" she said; Il will live for
vengeance-nOt on Sir OSWald-if he chooses
to marry, let him-but | will first warn the
woman he mauies, and then, if she likes to
come here as Lady Darrell, despite my warn
ing, let her will take such vengeance on
her as suits Dlrrell-nothing commonplace
nothing i'll the way of poisOning-but such
revenge as shall satisfy even me-"
In vain Miss Hastings tried to soothe her,
to calm her, the torrent of angry words had
their way
Then she came over to Miss Hastings. and,
placing her hand on her shoulder, Asked
Tell me, whom do you think Sir Oswald
Is going to marry"
Il cannot imagine-unleSS it is Miss Roche
ford"
"Elnor Rocheford-that mere child. Let
her beware!"