The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-17

Standing OUTSIDE the WIDOW that
night Vivian listened, because she
could not help IL. She heard Cyrll'a
words:
II love you, Heleni VIII you be my
wife2 Understand me-this is not the
first. best love of my heart that of
fer you-but-yOu know my sad story,
and if you can overlook all that and
help me to forget. and be nay wife,
Helen, we will try to be happyf7
And Vivian's heart had grosVn cold.
but she whispered to herself that
better no love - all, than half
hearted love like that He had de-
ceived her. Tt was bitter. IL was hard,
but it was true. With heart swell
ing with Indignation she turned away.
And there, right at her side, she saw
old Mr. Clyde, gazing down into the
small. pale face. with eyes full Of
sadness He, too. had overheard the
interesting love scene.
VIVIAN hi said, softly, taking the
girls cold hands ia his own, 'sve have
Internationally played eavesdroppe
j am not sorry, for have thus learned
the truth and my nephew's real ma
ture. He is dishonorab BILE fellowi
Vivian, hsteni Do you want revenge
for his treatment Of you9 I acknowl-
edge that I am burning TO punish him,
for he has been guilty Of a cruel
wrong to you Every body has be-
lieved that you and he would marry,
until lately, when he has devoted
himself to that wax doll, Helen
Darsey. Do You want revenge,
Vivian?"
She glanced into his face, all a-trem-
bic. Her eyes shone like stars. Did
she2 Would any woman in her place
cast aside. made light of-as she
had been-wish revenge for her
wrongs?
do I9" she faltered, tell me. tell
me-howl"
He clasped her trem bling hands
Marry mel" he whispered ST am
old enough to be your father, dears
but / would be good and kind TO you,
and shall not live long. When /
die you win have al-alI Vivian, do
you hear me2"
She started and turned pale.
ssAnd-Cyril2'' she whispered
The old man smiled grimly.
THAT is my affair. have an idea
that there is a surprise in store for
you. Vivian Only say yes, and I viii
do the rest
Yes
That was all The old mans face
wore a satisfied look; he bent his gray
head and touched the girls forehead
with his lips.
Heaven bless you, my dear" he
said But Vivian was not happy She
had accepted the offer Of revenge
upon Cyril Delmar for his perddy; ac-
cepted it when thrust in her hands in
this strange way; but her heart was
heavy and troubled Revenge is
sweet" says the old adage, but Vivian
did not find it 50.
The next morning old Richard Clyde
called pom Mrs Darsey, and electri-
fed that lady by asking her sanction
to his marriage with Vivian Ames.
Mr.. Clyder' gasped Mrs. Darsey, al
most unable to speak, 'whvl this is
overwhelming! I thought YOU WOULD
never marry, and that Cyril is-
''My heir in prospective2 Ay, so he
is-iD case I do not marry. All men
reserve the right to change their con
dition, Mrs. Darsey."
''Ihen, of course, if Delmar is not
% be your heir he cannot marry my
daughterl' stormed Mrs Darsey,
Wrathfullv.
An odd smile touched the old mans
bearded lip. But he said nothing
In the meantime. out ia the grounds,
Vivian had encountered Cyril DeImar.
She walked straight up to him, and
extended her hand.
ALLOW me to congratulate you"
She was beginning; but something in
the sad, dark eyes fixed upon her face
made her hesitate
ssVivianr' On a choxed voice. edo
not mock mel I would not have asked
Helen to be my wife but for your
cruel conduct.
Explain yourselfl' she demanded.
haughtily. He grew pale.
why are you not engaged to be /
married to a gentleman ia the West2"
he asked s'Helen told me So and
VIVIAN
He stopped short, surprised at the
look upon her face
see, she faltered- ooh, Cyril, it
is false-falsel Helen has told you
wicked falsehoodr7
His face grew dark
And she has inveigled me into
asking her to marry mei'' he groaned. 7
Oh. Vlviani I have loved you-you
alone-ever since the first day met
youi'
Just then. Mr.. Clyde appeared. His
face wore a look Of satisfaction.
My little plot has worked admir-
ably. he cried. ssAs soon as Mrs.
Darsev and her daughter learned that
i bad asked Vivian to be my wife,
and thus virtually disinherit you
Cyril the engagement between you
and Helen Darsey ceased to exist"
Cyril fell back amazed.
Have vou-asl1ed- Vivian to be-
your wife. Uncle Richard? he fa1tered.
''Why. Vivian loves mel'