The Bottineau pioneer., 1893-09-09
A SIN OF LOVE.

"There is no creature on this broad
earth so much to be pitied as the
woman whose love is scorned. But
it is not pity I seek, or wish-it is re-
venge"'
Vanita's handsome brunette features
were blanched with pain and distorted
with hate. Her black eyes glittered
dangerously, and the thin lips were
drawn upward from her sharp white
teeth, like those Of a tigress ready to
spring upon it's victim!'
Lansing Kessler was learning to love
me; there was no one dearer to him
than until that girl came here to steal
his heart from me. Should I tamely
submit to such a wrong? Should I
meekly endure his Sights and scorn?"
Vanita Lavere's sense Of injury was
fast exciting her to an insane frenzy.
Her slender fingers worked nervously
and now and again she clutched at the
empty air as if those delicate, ringed
digits were gripping in fancy at the
throat of her hated rival.
''Only the coolest of blood can be meek
and tame under wrong" she continued;
"those who love as love demand ven
geance when cheated and betrayed!
I had a father who would have plunged
dagger in the traitors heart!'
She stopped with gasping moan, as
c,,r11 ct
Cling with the fury within her.
But, it is not my darling I will
harm," she resumed in an abruptly
softcned tone which changed again
instantly to accents fiercer than before.
will punish. For every lovers caress
she shall weep such tears as never
woman wept before. Just as I suffer
neglect, the pangs of feeling herself
deceived, the torture of jealousy, the
deadly humilation-she shall suffer
deal with her!'
She whirled away from the window
a spacious bay furnished with a cir
cular seat, and commanding charming
view Of lawn and parterres of gorgeous
bloom, and strip Of rocky beach with
a dazzling stretch of ocean beyond it.
A few minutes later she was making
her way along the tortuous track Of
cleaning sand; in the shadow of the
moss -tuffed and fern-fringed crags, past
curious little grottoes followed In the
rock by the ceaseless ebb and flow OF
the corroding tides, and over miniature
promontories which here and there
jutted out far into the sea.
She was going to Mazda Fayne-going
with such a tale as 1ago poured into the
too credulous ears of the hapless Moor.
The cunning fable had flashed upon
her brain back there in the bay window
and she was minded to revise and pol
ish it as she walked slowly in the direc-
ton Of the Fayne cottage, half mile
distant.
She wanted time also to control her
frantic excitement, and to assume a
mask which would enable her to act
effectively the role she had planned.
At little distance down the rugged
beach, just as she was turning a sharp
angle of the irregular path, she came
face to face with a tall and lovely girl
in white.
At the sight of that graceful and
willowy figure, at that enchanting face,
with it's complexion of snow and flame,
at those proud, sea-blue eyes, and
that coronal of splendid hair the color
of an autumn leaf, a sudden, fierce
jealousy almost oyercame the restraint
she had imposed upon herself, and she
glared at her unconscious rival as if
she would rend the beautiful creature
limb from limb.
But it was only for a second. Policy
triumphed over the impulse Of jealous
fury, and she instantly affected an air
of what was intended to be wistful
and amiable inquiry.
Miss Fayne, is it not?' she muir
INJURED, in toHe intended to convey
a sorrowful hesitation.
The girl bowed with a look of cour-
teouS surprise.
"Oh, was sure it must be; no one
else was ever so lovely! do not Won
der my darling forgets his bonds, his
promises, his betrothed wife, his honor
and erything, when he IS in your So
ciety," purred Vanita, suddenly hiding
her well schooled features in her hant-
kerchief, and beginning to sob in Il
helpless and deprecatory sort Of way.
"About whom are you talking" the
beautiful young girl demanded in a
proud and disdainful tone.
"Why, Of Lansing Kessler, to whom [
am to be married in Il few weeks
vanita averred with unblushing at1lac-
ity.
Mazda crested her lovely head in ST.
lent scorn, and turned to walk away.
The other extended 4 surpicating
hand to detain her.
"Promise me that you will not en-
courage my poor Lanse in mis- folly -
Vanita persisted pleadingly. Some
time when you have a lover Of your
own you may realize what I suffer
through his thoughtlessness. OF course
know he loves me, and does not mean
to grieve me. But he is weak where a
pretty face is concerned, and he cannot
resist the temptation Of amusing him
self with a girl when she is foolish
enough to actually throw herself into
his arms, as he says you do"
Vanita had dealt her envenomed sting;
she knew she had struck mortal blow;
but the girl before her did not add
to her fendish satisfaction by betraying
any sign OF pain or even OF anger.
With heal erect and brave smile
Upon her proud face, Mazda quietly
released herself from her enemy's de
tanning hand and moved sereneay away.
III the gentleman whom yos1 claimed
a your betrothed has really said such
Drepostenous things, then he must be
an1siiag himself with you, fancy
she commented with u little merry
laugh OF scathing nockery.
And before Vanfta could sitter a taNnt
or threat, she had vanished into a