The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24
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MY VICTIM. |:
BY HELEN BEEKMAN
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-|r-- ..
IF ROSS had one fault, it was Jealousy;
and, as that arose from his intense
love for me, 1 rather enjoyed toying
with the flame, little dreaming OF It's
lava slumbering depths. 1t was long
ere he could win from me the promise
TO become his wife. l felt so sure OF
him, knew my power so well, thar L
could not resist the temptation tovSatch
smile and frown successfully chase each
other away on his handsome face at my
bidding. But one evening" just as he
was about to set sail on short voyage,
sudden thought Of how dull and pur-
poseless the days would be without him
brought quick tears to my eyes as Jce
stood together upon the sands, when
he had caught sight OF before L had
time to dash them away gin an instant
his arm was about my waist, and [ was
pressed close TO hfs fast-beating heart.
.sNiy darlng!" he said, in intense,
passionate tones. THANK Cod for those
tears which betray the wonan's heart
YOU would still have hidden from me.
My own. you love lne, you love me. De-
ny it if YOU can" and /, with coquetry
and art forgotten, knowing only that
10 be thus conquered was sweeter far
than any victory, answered back: IT
love you"
Remember, Rita" he said, few
hours later, when the moon had risen
high in the heavens, and he was about
10 leave me at my mothers door, "you
are new my promised wife. Promise
me that in the future you will never try
my love IS in the past. No man now has
right to one smile, one tender word"
''No enc shall have them, Ross" re-
piled. "You will have the most demure
little wife in the whole country"
'And the loveliest," be answered,
proudly. ooh, Rita, there will not be
night during all the long weeks of my
absence that shall not live over these
hours, shall not picture you getting
ready for my return, and the new life,
we are then to begin together"
The next morning at day break Ross
ship sailed out of the harbor. Standing
in my window, I saw the white sails
grow less and less in the distance, until
they vanished from my sight, when I
hid my tired, strained eyes upon my
pillow and sobbed myself again to sleep.
No one knew of my engagement but
mother. did not want to give the Cos
sips chance for talk, but as the days
sped on / sang gayly over my work, for
Zach day brought nearer his return and
my wedding morn. He had been gone
just month when I met Rush Arden
He was gentleman who had come
1own for weeks fishing on our coast,
His own yacht was lying off the harbor,
and he cruised here and there at will.
Something in me awoke that which
thought buried in an eternal sleep,
when his eyes rested admiringly on
mine. He belonged nigh to different
world from any in which I had moved,
and he fascinated, even while all deeper
feeling was dormant. My heart never
wavered in it's loyalty to Ross, but I
silenced my conscience when night aft
er night brought Mr.. Arden to our cot
tage, or the same moon which had
vaned and fulled since Ross had left me
lie now lighted our two figures as we
trolled idly upon the sands, by looking
down on the golden circlet which
spanned my finger, and repeating again
and again to myself that l was true to
my troth. Sometimes a distant figure
would waken a sudden nervous dread as
to how Ross would receive my own
plausible theories should he suddenly
appear before us, but-what could he
= expect? was not yet his wife. It was
absurd that time should hang so heavi-
~ on my hands during his absence.
Mother shook her head when books,
howers and music graced our little
parlor with their presence, but a kiss
ever chased away mothers frown, which
l sealed by telling her how soon now
would be Ross wife, and then how mar
would be my little world. 1t was
time to look for his return. The
knew would have plenty to tell
would confess my fault, and
It [ should find forgiveness.
d 1t as easy a matter with
HIS manner was growing
1ore love-like, but 1 knew
stoop from his high posi-
so ] let my conscience
had passed since had
rful eyes Ross ship
,or when one evening
or me to go down upon
had thrown ourselves
nd, for the weather was
he drew a velvet-cov-
lis pocket. The gifts he
though brought from
distance and at heavy expense.
-.au been such had had no hesitancy in
accepting, but anything of real value
felt l could not allow him to give me.
Rita he said, s'here is something I
wish you to accept in remembrance of
the many pleasant hours we have spent
together, something that will recall
them to your memory when am gone"
Then, touching the spring, the case few
open and bracelet of exquisite work
manship was revealed.