Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-05-24
The STING Of THE VIPER.
BY Fl. s. KELLER.

MdleulcClOnS upon lnat Wnlte-IaCeO
fool! The girl was interested. attracted
by me ere he came. That interest which
had taken so much pains to foster
might in time have ripened into love
could be patient, for am Peruvian
Now, the lily-fingered dandy from the
North has stepped between me and the
object of my love. The blood of a Pc
ruvian brooks no defeat. will moi
submit tamely to Marie's GOODNESS.
have her proud old father in my grasp
he must clear this white-faced fool
from my path. If he be powerless to
do this, then the viper's sting shall dc
the work for me-"
savagely. almost insanely. the words
fell from the speakers lips.
Don Jose lie Garde had taken Car.
acas by storm when he first appeared
among its elegant high circles. Ru.
mors of his immense wealth had pre-
coded him, and when he arrived Mt the
gay Venezuelan city the doors of the
best society were opened to him-this
fabulously rich silver king of the mines
of Peru.
lmpressiOnable mammas were com.
pletely carried off their feet by his
glitter of gold, and laid many trap
each baited by beautiful daughter. tc
capture the charming Peruvian. In the
wine room, the dance hall, or ut the
gambling table. he carried all before
him. He played, not to win, SO he said
but for the intoXication of the spell of
chance. He drank, not because he
was a drunkard. but for the spirit OF
triumph which came to him when he
saw his boon companions drop. one
after the other. while he remained
clear-hcaded, sober as ever.
He turned upon his finger the tiny
circle of gold once or twice; tapped II
with his finger tips and smiled sar-
donically as he rung for his valet. He
was quickly dressed and ready for the
ball which was to take place at the
spacious palace of the old Venezuelan
merchant, Marie's father.
The rooms of the grand pile were
filed with the elite of Caracas: Don
Jose gritted his white teeth and smoth,
cred an oath under his inky mustache
as he entered the ball room. There. al
the farther side of the brilliantly light.
ed room, WINS seated Marie, more
charming than ever. and leaning upon
the back of her chair, bending over her
beautiful shoulders and tanning her
with a scarlet-feathered fan, was the
object of the Peruvian's mad hatred
ne Int
"Sir, word with you" said Don Jose
touching his aged host upon the shout.
der.
The old gentleman started. glanced
at the pair on the other side of the
room, and followed his guest into the
conservatory.
you still permit that white-faced fool
to dangle at your daughters apron
strings
Don Jose, not SO loud, beg of you;
some guests"
"And unless you relieve me of the
hated presence of this rival. every
guest under your roof shall know about
the cloud hanging over the rich vene.
zulian merchant"
"For the sake of Heaven, do not
speak so loudly! You will ruin mer
interrupted the old gentleman, laying
his hand upon the others arm.
Twill you, once for all. command
your daughter to dismiss this Steven.
son?'
"I-I-can only try
You must succeed. You have prom
ised me Marie's hand in marriage. !
have sworn to take her back to Peru
as my bride. Until this fair dandy
came from the North my path was
clear. like not his presence. Remove
him or-your house falls, and ruin
stares you in the facet"
II will do my best" uttered the old
man, as he quivered with rage. For the
sake of transient pecuniary relief he
had placed himself in the mans DOW.
err. The rich Peruvian held his notes
which must be met or which would be
destroyed upon the marriage of Marie
to Don Jose.
And now desire to see Marie here
kindly tell her to come to me-" utteld
the Peruvian.
His imperious air of command made
the blood of the old Venezuelan boil
but choking back his anger-for he was
in this mans power-he returned to the
ball room, leaving the other to pace ur
and down the conservatory, filled Will
rich, gaily-hued tropical plants.
A soft step caused him to turn. The
beautiful form of Marie approached
nearer. He reached out his hand, ant
the girl drew back as the thin, feverish
ly hot fingers almost crushed her sof
hand. The grasp of those slender fin
gers felt to her touch like the clasp Of
band of steel; the very touch sent the
blood back from her heart, and hel
lovely face grew pale as lily.
"Marie-for I the right to call yol
thus-your father has given his consen
to our marriage. No, do not start.
have spoken Of this before to you. 1t Il