Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-05-18
THE STING OF THE VIPER.
BY II. S. KELLER.

sMaledictions upon that white-faced
fool! The girl was interested, attracted
by me ere he came. That interest which
i had taken so much pains to foster
might in time have ripened into love.
i could be patient, for am a Peruvian.
Now, the ily-ingered dandy from the
North has stepped between me and the
object of my love. The blood of a Pc
ruvian brooks no defeat. l will not
submit tamely to Marie's GOODNESS. l
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 do
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-
ceded him, and when he arrived at the
gay Venezuelan city the doors of the
best society were opened to him-this
fabulously rich silver king of the mines
OF Peru.
Impressionable mammals were COM
pletely carried off their feet by his
glitter of gold, and laid many a trap,
each baited by beautiful daughter, to
capture the charming Peruvian. In the
wine room, the dance hall, or at 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 9 drgnkard, but for the spirit of
triumph which canie to him when he
saw his boon companions drop, one
after the other, while he remained
clear-headed, sober as ever.
He turned upon his finger the tiny
circle Of gold once or twice; tapped it
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
filled 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, at
the farther side of the brilliantly light
ed room, was 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
Leon Stevenson, of the United States.
''Sir, n word with you," said Don Jose
touching his aged host upon the Shout
der.
The old gentleman started, glanced
Mt 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.
"Will you, once for all, command
your daughter to dismiss this Steven
sonT"
"T-I-can only try"
'You must succeed! You have prom
ised me Marie's hand In marriage. l
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 i'm the facet
Il 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 pow
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-" utterd
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 mp
and down the conservatory, filed with
rich, gaily.hued tropical plants.