The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-05-31


duced her to make sure Of the girls vast
wealth by betrothing her early to her on
ly son, Vincent Maxwell. Kept closely
imprisoned during her girlh0od, Nita
had grown up entirely ignorant of the
world and completely under the infiu-
ence Of a designing woman, and a cold
hearted, despOtic man. Even her mar
riage with Vincent was looked upon as a
matter of course. and much as she dis
liked him she dared not revolt against
her fate.
"And l should never have thought of
defying him had he not by his own saw
age temper aroused me from the state Of
semi-apathy into which l had fallen"
she added, and an indignant light flash
ed into her eyes. "One day had refus-
ed 20 do his bidding-fetch him some
thing that ne had commanded in his US
ual imperative way-and in momenta-
~ 1T Of passion he struck me-
The coward" Frank exclaimed, and
uneonsciously twined his arm around her
trembling form.
4 never forgot nor forgave," Nita con-
tinued. simply acquiesoed in all they
proposed and bided my time. To have
revenge was the one aim Of my life, and
that is why asked you to marry me-
The denouement l planned in my head
succeeded beautifully, and have to
thank you.again for the charming way
you did your part. I felt that could re-
ly on you"
Frank gazed at her g moment in ST.
lence, then he said
Will you tell me why you chose me,
above all other men, to be the instru-
ment Of your vengeance?"
Because I knew no one else. met
you once, two years ago. You have
probably forgotten the incident. When
coming up from Yorkshire, you rendered
some slight assistance to Aunt Mary, and
upon quitting the train, by design or ae-
cident, left your card upon the seat.
Some impulse made me keep the bit Of
pasteboard, and when bad determined
TO free myself from the net Aunt Mary
had drawn so skillfully around me re-
membered you, and-and you know the
rest"
He had no time to answer. The car
riage stopped IN front Of small hotel,
and before Frank could recover from his
bewilderment he found himself alone IN
a warm, comfortably furnished sitting
room, with Nita's parting words ringing
in his ears
Wait for me here, please, Mr.. Ire
mayne. shall not be long, and then
to business"
Ten minutes later she again stood in
his presence, her bridal robes changed
for an elegant garnet velvet dress, which
set off to advantage her slender form,
dusky complexion and silky black hair.
As she came, half shyly, toward him,
Frank glanced at her with new light in
his eyes, and stretching out both hands
he clasped hers.
Well, what next ?"
81 wrote my solicitors to meet me
here, but they have not yet arrived.
When they do, they will arrange with
you about the money, and then-then
we will say goOd-by."
Frank released her hands suddenly,
and folding his arms across his breast,
gazed at her with a strange expression in
his eyes.
No" he said at last in a deep, moved
voice. ave will not say gOOd-by, Nita,
or if We do I viii accept nothing from
you"
"You mean you will not take the mon
ey," she whispered.
"Yes. unless-unless, Nita, take my
wife with it."
a dead silence followed his words dur
ing which he remained steadfastly re-
garding her, while she, with downcast
eyes and heaying breast, hesitated.
Presently, with a sweet, tremulous
light on her face, she moved nearer to
him and laid both hands upon his
breast.
"You viii take the money, Frank -
"With your
"Yes."
He put his arms very gently round her,
and bending his head pressed his lips to
hers
In the eloquent pause which followed
that caress they looked into each others
eyes with a sort oftimid wonder, and q
low, tremulous ecstacy awakened in both
their hearts.
At last Frank whispered
''Nits, my wife, you viii never leave
me now?"
And Nita softly answered
'Neyer ..''-Nelr York Dispatch