The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-08-11
A VENTURE FOR LOVE.

ooh, me, am certainly no beauty!
1t was the gliding which made Yer
mount swallow such nauseous pill"
In Venetian mirror was reflected
an oval face, pale and sad looking
with dark, Liquid eyes, nose of non
descript order. and a mouth rather
large than otherwise. Clarisse. Lady
Vermount. turned from the study of
her features to take from table load
ed with photographs the portrait of
handsome man. "I am unhappy, for
being which I am an idiot" she said,
addressing the smiling face which
looked at her from out its frame of
pierced silver. "and 1t is all your do
ing. When you asked me to marry
you did not care a snap Of my fingers
for you, and I know you did not for
me. 1t was a convenient arrangement;
you wanted my money. I your title.
How you shuddered on our wedding
day over the too-evident rapture Of my
parents at having titled sonin law!
saw 1t as we stood in the vestry Of
the church. You put your hands on
mine when we we're alone In the car
riage. but did you for one moment i'm
agine that thought love inspired the
action? Not bit of it. remembered
the shudder too well.
"And then-well. and then I told
you, you had got what you wanted. the
wealth Of my Chicago papa. and / had
achieved my ambition, I was my 'ady.'
For the rest, in the eyes of the world,
we were husband and wife. and-that
was to be all. If you, wished anything
different, you did not show 1t. and
imagined myself content.
She threw the photograph impatient
ly from her. 1t was nearly time to
dress for dinner, and she went slowly
up the stairs. On the landing Lord
Vermount's man stood aside for her
to pass.
"His lordship dimes at home to-
night?" she asked.
Eyes, my lady" The servants foot
steps padded decorously down the
thickly carpeted staircase.
She passed by the door of her hus-
bands bedroom, then passed on and
entered her own. A moment and shs
was back again and stood within his
His clothes lay ready for
him, and on the dressing table black
silk mask, while propped against the
were two cards of admIs.
sion to masked balls. One for this
very night, the other one for three
days hence. She took them up, twist
Ing them nervously round in her fin
gers. Strange thoughts coursed
through her brain. She put the cards
down and ran out. coming back a min
ute later with needleful of thick blue
silk in her hands. She ran the needle
In and out along the tail of his coat.
There was a sound of quick foot
steps on the stairs. With whisk she
was out Of the room and In her own.
She shut the door then stole softly to
the one which divided her chamber
from her husbands. 1t was lockei as
1t always was, and the key was stiff
In its socket. She pressed her lips
against the woodwork. 'Tt is ven
ture for love-" she whispered. and her
eyes shone like stars.
What pretty bird is 1t that wears
4 blue tail?"
The words spoken In soft cooling ac-
cents struck Lord Vermount's ear as
he stood against pillar of the ball
room. He turned sharply. A white
lad figure stood by him holding up his
coat tail by thread of blue silk, while
behind white domino dark eyes
danced merrily.
THAT would be telling" he answer |
ID. "but think I'll shed my gay plum
age," twisting to get hold of the
hread.
"And think I'll keep it, Sir Bird"
drawing 1t out and winding 1t in and |
'ut of the links Of gold chain that
held her long cloak together. 1--WE
will reverse the old order; the lady |
shall wear her knights colors. Doth |
I please you Sir Bird?" She dropped |
him a courtesy as she spoke and |
iadDt scent OF white violet came to |
him. along with the silver Ginning Of
1ells.
Are we to dancer" he questioned |
slight movement of her hooded head |
md his hand slid around her waist be-
leath the cloak. For space neither
poke. He felt her violet scent I'd
'reath coming In little quick gasns,
nd the music of her silver anklet bells
eemed to his heated fancy to beat out
he words; Love, ltvel" to the meas
- ,.s.sssesr,az.,anuna..