Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-10-20
REPENTANCE.
"You have my decision, sir. '

mouth to hide the twitching of the muscles. There was nothing ambiguous about her reply. It was an unmistak- able rejection. It was useless either to plead or argue. He was at loss to ao- 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 ill nowiSe offended her, he felt justified in demanding the reason for her strange conduct. He knew her too well to fancy for q moment that she was trifiing with him. She was neither variable ill her moods nor tickle ill her friendships.
 Miriam, Bruce Ventnor said, his voice husky. his manner agitated, II have the right to ask your reason for this rejection.
 No, you have not, she replied, the color coming and going i'll her face. S'lIi II tSAI Hou- aIh PAoiAi' ''SN pE revenge.
 "By revenge:" repeated he in q dazed tone.
 Yes" was her measured reply. ''I want you to suffer. v
 And you enjoy it." he said bitterly. Then you know how much love you it seems. I always knew you did not question that. =
 They had been seated upon a bench outside n 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. i'll what way have I wronged you:" he asked. Not ill thought, word nor act. l consider myself the soul of honor.
 Oh, you do:' and she laughed mock ingly. Instead, you are a man with out principle.
 He Croancd aloud in his powerful ef- fort to rvpreSS his angry indignation.
 Il an not averaging myself, but an other, she said, speaking with rapid ity. Did you ever know Blanche Car rOl? Oh, it is not necessary for mo to remind you of your b:i>encSs!"
 Sine turned abruptly from him and walked rapidly toward the hotel. He watched her until she had disappeared ill the gloom of the gathering twilight, one hand pressed against his forehead, d hurt, bat1led, ny$tified expression in his face. He Strode up the beach, then along wild ledge of rocks. aS if to find solace i'll the loneliness of the hour.
 WhGlCAIiriam Gray reached her room at the hotel, reaction set ffI, 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.
 "Oh, Blanche" she exclaimed aloud between her hyStcrical sobS, you are avenged. but you will never know what it has cost Tie! Oh. why was 1 to love him so opaSsionatcly before heard about his pert!dy:'
 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 SeaShor@. She had not met Bruce Nentnor during that interval, nor had she heard from him. She was as handsome as ever and | more royal ill her manners, but her face and conversation lacked briliancy. She ! was more quiet and reserved, more chary ill her friendships, ready to sus- pect and heartily tired of the hollow ness of fashionable life Her love affair with Bruce Ventno1 had caused the change. In punishing him for his pertidy 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. lie was alone and stood still for [ l minute. the meeting was so unexpected to him.
 He lifted his hat, looked mournfull, and reproachfully at Miriam, as if hal inclined to speak, and then strode to ward the nearest pavilion.
 Miriam recognized him and wa, touched at the look he had bestowed upon her.
 "Who was that gentleman" asked her Cousin Blanche. Did he bow tC you or to me-"
 Receiving no reply, she looked up in to her companions face.
 "Why, Miriam, how pale you are, she exclaimed, and how agitatedH
 Blanche, do you mean to say tha you do not know that man?' Miriam asked, her voice a mere whisper.
 II never saw him until today" wa her cousins reply.
 "Ohr cried Miriam, catching he breath, one hand unconsciously clinch ed, lis he not the man who trifled witt . you:''
 Bruce Ventnor:" replied, Blanche "Why, no, childr
 The blood receded from Miriam s lips and low moan escaped from them. Sh grew so weak for little while that sh was forced to lean heavily upol Blanche, who conducted her to ore O the rustic benches She famed her, rub bed her hands and spoke to her in sooth ing tones. When her cousin had sui 1 ficiently recovered, she asked:
 Miriam, what is this mystery?"
 "Oh, I am so afraid that I hay wronged that-man and-myself. Wa so cruel to him, for supposed that was averaging you His name is Bruc Ventnor '
 "Eh?" exclaimed Blanche, who Wa beginning to comprehend. He is nc the Bruce Ventnor tha. knew. " An her voice shook with emotion "Can be that there are two gentlemen of th same name? I remember hearing hil say he had some cousins. Oh, am { ,. sorry and so-so-glad" = Miriam Gray looked at her friend i a sort of stupor.
 . ''Sorry, dear, because of what 70
 have suffered and glad because ever,
 thing will yet come out all right"
 Miriam mournfully shook her head.
 "He will never forgive me-" she saiC
 "He is proud and sensitive My worC ]. --A l.o-. 4l.. -. .- A-.---.- .