The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-10-06
REPENTANCE

"You have my decision, sir"
Miriam Gray spoke in q sharp. quick
tone, her dark eyes flashing. her queen
ly head set to one side, her gestures
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. It was useless either to
plead or argue He was OF q 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 LONELINESS 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 80 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 well TO fancy
| for q moment that she was trifting with
him. She was neither variable in her
moods non tickle i'm her friendships.
Miriam" Bruce Ventnor said, his
voice husky, his agitated, 1T
have the right to ask your reason for
this rejection" T.
'No, you have not, |" she replied, the
color coming and going in her face.
"stin I'll tell you. ! ann prompted by
revenge" y
SPY revenge?" repeated he in a dazed
tone.
Eyes" was her measured reply. II
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. 49,
They had been seated upon q bench
outside q 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 / wronged
your" he asked. ''Notin thought, word
nor act. I consider myself the soul of
honor"
''Oh, you do?'' and she Laughed mock
ingly. Instead, you are . man with
ont principle"
He groaned aloud in his powerful eff
fort to repress his angry indignation.
II am not avenging myself, but an
other" she said, speaking with rapid
ity. did you even know Blanche Car
roll? Oh. it is not necessary Cor me to
remind you of your basenessl''
She turned abruptly from him and
walked rapidly toward the hotel. He
watched her until she had disappeared
i'm. the gloom of the gathering twilight,
one hand pressed against his forehead, .
hurt, bafled, mystified expression In
his face. He strobe up the beach, then
along wild ledge of rocks, as IL to find
solace in the loneliness Of the hour.
When Miriam Gray reached her room
at the hotel. reaction set in, and hel
great grief showed how devotedly SHE
loved the man whom she had insulted.
She flung herself upon the bed and cried
as liz her heart were broken
"Oh, Blanche, she exclaimed aloud
between her hysterical sobs, 'tyou arr
avenged, but you will never know whai
it has cost mel Oh, why was ! to Love
him 30 passionately before / heard about
his perfidy?' M
Early though lie was she retired b
bed, but it was almost dawn before sht
fell asleep. SO intense was her suffering
Three years later again found Miriam
4 g. "a &An .4nrh~wn Che hal nn& xvnaa
Bruce Ventnor during that interval MOI
had she heard from him.
She was as handsome az ever and
more royal in her manners. but her fac
and conversation lacked briliancy. Sh'
was more quiet and reserved, NOR,
chary in her friendships. ready to sus
pect and heartily tired of the hollow
ness Of fashionable life.
Il Her love affair with Bruce Ventno
had caused the change. In Furnishing
him for his per1dy TO her Cousin Blanch
she had sacrificed herself. She couls
never love another mar as she had loye'
him.
As she was one day walking on th
promenade with her cousin Blanch
they suddenly came upon Bruce Vent
nor. He was alone and stood still for
minute, the meeting was so unexpecte'
to him.
He lifted his hat, looked mournfull
and rep~roachfully at Miriam, as il hal
inclined to speak, and then strobe tc
ward the nearest pavilion.
Miriam recognized him and wa
touched at the look he had bestowe
upon her.
"Who was that g~entleman?'' aske
her Cousin Blanche. did he bow .
you or to me?'
Receiving no reply, she looked up II
? to her companion . face.
: why, Miriam, how pale you are.
she exclaimed, land how agitatedp'
blanche, do you mean to say this
you do not know that man?' Miriar
asked, her voice q mere whisper.
I'll 81 never saw him until today, I" wa
| her cousins reply.
.sOhl'' cried Miriam, catching ht
! breath, d hand unconsciously ciincl
ed, sis he not the man who triied wit
! yous'