Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-10-03
REPENTANCE.
"You have my decision, sir. u

nervous, yet graceful.
A pallor swept across Bruce Ventnor's
face, and he lifted his hand to his
mouth to hide the twitching of the
muscles. There was nothing ambiguous
about her reply. 1t was an unmistak-
able rejection 1t was useless either to
plead or argue. = He was at loss to ac-
count for her repressed agitation. He
watched her through the mellow twi-
light and became more conscious than
ever of her exceeding loveliness and the
hard blow which she had dealt him.
He had been paying her attention for
some time and was sure that she loved
him. That was why his bewilderment
was so great and his disappointment SO
keen. Knowing that his character was
beyond reproach, and that he had in
nowise offended her, he felt justified in
demanding the reason for her strange
conduct. He knew her too we'll to fancy
for moment that she was trif1ing with
him. She was neither variable in her
moods nor tickle in her friendships.
Miriam Bruce Ventnor said, his
voice husky, his manner agitated, 81
have the right to ask your reason for
this rejection.
''No, you have not, " she replied, the
color coming and going in her face.
'Still I'll tell you. am prompted by
revenge"
"By revenge?" repeated he in dazed
tone.
eyes," was her measured reply. 81
want you to suffer. :"
''And you enjoy it?'' he said bitterly
''Then you know how much I love you
it seems. I always knew you did not
question that. %
They had been seated upon bench
outside small pavilion, but were now
standing. She was suffering more than
she would have cared to let him know
and was impatient to get away.
''Pray, in what way have 1 wronged
you?" he asked. "Not in thought, word
nor act. consider myself the soul Of
honor -
.'Oh, you do?' and she laughed mock
ingly. Instead, you are a man with
out principle %
He groaned aloud in his powerful ef-
fort to repress his angry Indignation.
II am not avenging myself, but an
other,' she said, speaking with rapid
ity. Did you ever. know Blanche Car
rol? Oh, it is not necessary for me to
remind you of your basenessp
She turned abruptly from him and
walked rapidly toward the hotel. He
watched her until she had disappeared
in the gloom Of the gathering twilight,
one hand pressed against his forehead, a
hurt, baffied, mystifed expression in
bis face He strobe up the beach, then
along wild ledge of rocks, as if to find
solace in the loneliness of the hour.
When Miriam Gray reached her room
at the hotel, reaction set in, and her
great grief showed how devotedly she
loved the man whom she had insulted.
She flung herself upon the bed and cried
as if her heart were broken.
son, Blanche" she exclaimed aloud
between her hysterical sobs, ''you are
avenged, but you will never know what
it has cost me! Oh, why was I to love
him so passionately before I heard about
his perfdy?"
Early though it was she retired to
bed, but it was almost dawn before she
fell asleep, so intense was her suffering.
Three years later again found Miriam
Gray at the seashore. She had not met
Bruce Ventnor during that interval, nor
had she heard from him.
She was as handsome as ever and
more royal in her manners. but her face
and conversation lacked briliancy. She
was more quiet and reserved, more
chary in her friendships, ready to sus-
pect and heartily tired of the hollow
ness of fashionable life
Her love affair with Bruce Ventnor
had caused the change. In furnishing
him for his perfidy to her Cousin Blanche
she had sacrificed herself. She could
never love another man as she had loved
him.
AS she was one day walking on the
promenade with her cousin Blanche
they suddenly came upon Bruce Vent
nor. He was alone and stood still for q
minute, the meeting was so unexpected
to him.
He lifted his hat, looked mournfully
and reproachfully at Miriam, as if halt
inclined to speak, and then strOde to-
ward the nearest pavilion.
Miriam recognized him and was
touched at the look he had bestowed
upon her.
"Who was that gentleman?" asked
her Cousin Blanche. "Did he bow to
you or to me?''
Receiving no reply, she looked up i'll
to her companion S face.
'Why, Miriam, how pale you are, 3"
she exclaimed, ''and how agitated?'
blanche, do you mean to say that
you do not know that mani" Miriam
asked, her voice a mere whisper.
81 never saw him until today" was
her Cousins reply.
"Ohp' cried Miriam, catching her
breath, one hand unconsciously clinch-
ed, "is he not the man who trifled with
you?'
''Bruce Ventnor?" replied, Blanche.
"Why, no. ohildP'
The blood receded from Miriam s lips,
and low moan escaped from them. She
grew so weak for little while that she
was forced to lean heavily upon
Blanche, who conducted her to ore of
the rustic benches She famed her, rub
bed her hands and spoke to her in sooth-
ing tones. When her cousin had suf-
ficiently recovered, she asked
Miriam, what is this mystery?"
"Oh, l am so afraid that have
wronged that--man and-myself Twas
so cruel to him, for supposed that
was avenging you. His name is Bruce
Ventnor. :"
''Eh?" exclaimed Blanche, who was
beginning to comprehend. "He is not
the Bruce Ventnor that l knew" And
her voice shook with emotion. "Can it
be that there are two gentlemen of the
same name? 7 remember hearing him
say he had some cousins Oh, am so
sorry and so-so-gladp
Miriam Gray looked at her friend in
sort of stupor.
''Sorry, dear, because of what you
have suffered and glad because every
thing will yet come out all right.
Miriam mournfully shook her head.
''He will never forgive me, F" she said.
"He is proud and sensitive My words
cut deep-all the more SO because SO
undeseryed. I gave him no exclamation,