Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-04-19
MisCellauenMs.
WOMAN'S REPENTANCE.
''You have my decision, sir"

Miriam Gray spoke in a 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 it was an unmistakable rejection /;
it was useless to plead or argue. He
was at loss to account for her repressed
agitation. He watched her through the
mellow twilight, and became more con-
scious than ever of her exceeding lowell
ness 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 bcwilderment
was so great and his disappointment so
keen, Knowing that his character was
beyond reproach, and that he had in no
wise offended her he felt justified in
demanding the reason for her strange
conduct He knew her too well TO
fancy for moment that she was triflipg
with him. She was neither variable in
her moods or ickle in her friendships.
MIRIAM" Bruce Ventpor said, his
voice husky, his manner agitated, ~
have the right to ask your reason Tor
this rejection
mo, you have not, she replied, the
color coming and going ia her face.
"Still, I'll tell you. | am prompted by
revenge"
"By revenge?" repeated he in a
dazed tone.
Yes was her measured reply. II
want you to suffer.
"And you enjoy ,t,f' he said, Bit
terly. Then you know how much |
love you. it seems 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 lot him know,
and was inpatient to get away.
pray, in what way have | wrongcd
your" he asked 'Not in thought,
word or act. consider myself tho
sonl of honor"
"Oh, you do y and she laughed
mockingly INSTEAD, you are man
without principle.
He groaned aloud 10 bis powerful
effort to repress his angry Indignation.
III am not avcDging myself, but an
other" she said, speaking with rapidity.
Ibid you know Blanche Carol? Oh,
it is necessary for me to remind you of
your baseness
She turned abruptly from him, and
walked arpidly toward the no tel He
watched her until she had disappeared
10 the gloom of the gathering twilight,
one hand pressed against his forehead,
hurt. bafiied, mystifed expression in
his face lie strobe up the beach, then
along wild ledge of rocks, as if to find
solace iD 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 Husg herself upon the bed and
cried as if her heart was broken.
"Oh, !"lanche !" she exclaimed aloud
between her hysterical robs. "you are
avenged, but you will never knew what
it has cost me Oh. why was to love
him so passionately before heard about
his perfdy r
Early though it was, she retired to
bed, but it almost dawn before she fell
asleep, so intense was her suffering.
!
Three years later again found Miriam
Gray at the sea shore 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 manner, but her face
and conversation lacked brilliancy. She
was more quiet and reserved, more chary
in her friendships, ready to suspect and
heartily tired of the hollowness Of fash
ionable life.
Her love affair with Bruce Yentnor
bad caused the change. In furnishing
him for bis perfdy to her cousin Blanche
she had sacrificed herself. She could
never love another man az she had
loved him. Et#g fm8
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
a minute, the meeting was so unex
pected TO him
He Fitted his hat, looked mournfully
and responsibility at Miriam, as if hall
inclined to speak, and then strobe to-
ward the nearest pavilion.
Miriam recognized him. and wal
touched at the look he had bestowed
upon her.
"Who was that gentleman 2" askec
her cousin Blanche. did he bow Il
you or meF'
Receiving no reply, she looked u