The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-11-18
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!. MY VICTIM. :
4 BY HELEN BEEKMAN. A
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BY HELEN BEEKMAN.

4 hOSS ndu one IduiI, IL WIS jealousy,
and. as that arose from his intense
love for me, | rather enjoyed toying
with the flame, little dreaming of its
lava siumbering depths. 1t was long
ere he could win from me the promise
to become his wife. | felt so sure of
him. | knew my power so well, that l
could not resist the temptation to watch
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 a short voyage,
sudden thought OF how dull and pur-
pOseleSs the days would be without him
brought quick tears to my eyes as we
stood together upon the sands, which
he had caught sight of before | had
time to dash them away. In an instant
his arm was about my waist, and | was
pressed close to his fast-beating heart.
My darling!" he said, in intense,
passionate tones. Thank God for those
tears which betray the woman's heart
YOU would still have hidden from me.
My own, you love me, you love me. De
ny it if you can" and l, with coquetry
and art forgotten, knowing only that
to be thus conquered was sweeter far
than any victory, answered back: 81
love you"
Remember, Rita" he said, few
hours later, when the moon had risen
high in the heavens, and he was about
to leave me at my mothers door, you
are now my promised wife. Promise
me that in the future you will never try
my love as in the past. No man now has
a right to one smile, one tender word"
NO one shall have them, Ross" re-
piled. You will have the most demure
little wife in the whole country"
"And the lOveliest," he answered,
proudly. ooh, Rita, there will not be
night during all the long weeks of my
absence that l 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 daybreak Ross
ship sailed out of the harbors Standing
in my window, | saw the white sails
grow less and less in the distance, until
they vanished from my sight, when l
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 l sang gayly over my work, for
each day brought nearer his return and
my wedding morn. He had been gone
just a month when | met Rush Arden.
He was a gentleman who had come
down for a 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 admiringlv 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 its loyalty to Ross. but l
silenced my conscience when night aft
er night brought Mr.. Arden to our cot
tage, or the same moon which had
waned and fulled since Ross had left me.
me now lighted our two figures as we
strolled idly upon the sands, by looking
down on the golden circlet which
spanned my finger, and repeating again
and again to myself that | was true to
my troth. Sometimes a distant figure
would walten sudden nervous dread as
to how Ross would receive my own
plausible theories should he suddenly
appear before us, but-what could he
expect? l was not yet his wife. 1t was
absurd that time should hang so heavi-
ly on my hands during his absence
Mother shook her head when books,
flowers 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
row would be my little world. 1t was
almost time to look for his return The
gossips | knew would have plenty to tell
him, but l would confess my fault, and
l feared not | should find forgiveness.
Would | find it as easy a matter with
Mr.. Arden? His manner was growing
warmer and more love-like, but knew
he could never stoop from his high posi-
ton to me, and so ] let my conscience
sleep,
Three months had passed since l had
watched with fearful eyes Ross ship
sail down the harbor, when one evening
Mr.. Arden came for me to go down upon
the beach. We had thrown ourselves
idly upon the sand for the weather was
still warm, when he drew a vevet-cov-
cred case from his pocket. The gifts he
had offered me, though brought from a
great distance and at heavy expense,
had been such / had had no hesitancy in
accepting, but anything of real value
felt | could not allow him to give me
Rita" he said, "here rs something |
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 flew
open aad bracelet of exquisite work.
mansh$ was revealed.
"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed. But.
indeed, Mr.. Arden, cannot take it,"
mot as farewell gift from friend ."
he said. Listen, Rita! have not dealt
quite fairly with you, child. am going
home to be married. That your fresh