Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1902-04-08

EMAuE
for his return and grown old In wait
nR.
Ills parents had been unfeignedly
glad. for they had always objected 20
her, not even reIenting when the glad
light went from her eyes and the
snow spread 80 thicl<Iy over her mag
nihcent hair.
Now, he had returned a young man
she had become an old woman in APP
pearance. But he should pay the price
Of her youth and hope. No man should
rob her of both with reckless hand
and leave her to bear the pain and
humiliation alone. Perhaps Dune had
wounded her above all else when Il
said she had thrown herself at this
boy TO win him; perhaps IL had helped
TO harden her into the stern. relentless
woman she had become. At any rate.
he had returned, he must pay the
price.
II was almost dark when she arose
20 pull down the curtains, light the
lamp and rekindle the FIRE, yet even
In the semi-darkness, the unwOnted
briIliance Of her eyes, and the firm, set
curve Of the lips were perceptible, and
they bOded no good 20 Robert Halleck.
Spring came and went, then sum
mer burst In fun glory upon Dune, and
stu Robert HaIieck fingered. A rumor
went over the town that Isabel Bren-
ner's face was the charm that chained
BIN there; later, their engagement
was announced.
Janet had aged perceptibIy since his
return, and she staid away altogether
from the Aid Society. not even going
out upon the street except in the dusig
Of the evening, fearing, with some
thing Of wild terror, that she might
meet him, yet hUngering for a sight Of
his face with passionate longing. But
face TO face with him she might weak
en-, might turn from her purpose.
The golden sumner weeks crept
slowly by for her, so slowly that she
wondered how she could endure the
long "afterward," II ~ crept like the
time Of waiting. Nights, when the
moon hung like "A silver bow In the
sky, when the wind sighed softly
through the trees, and all else was
silent and hushcd, she walked the
length Of her room saying again and
again 70 herself that he should pay
ths price.
Tie semi-madness that crept over
her weary brain while she waited and
brooded over her wrong seemed 20 her
ike the spirit Of her ancestors hover
ing over her TO arouse her TO action,
for the Wilson's had never died with
a wrong unaveBged, and she was a viii
son, with all their passionate blood
coursing through her veins.
The waiting came TO an end at last.
The announcement of Robert HaIIeck's
engagement was the signal for Janet's
action. His happiness, now, depended
upon the beautiful girl he had chosen
from Dune, even as hers (Janet's) had
depended upon him. lie had robbed
her, she would in turn rob him. II she
were bereft, so must he be; II the light
Of her life had gone out, even so must
his. She thought Of IL night and day
with thirst for revenge that knew no
bounds.
It was moonlight night with a Qen-
tie breeze stirring the trees, letting
the moOnbeams ripple through them
inlittle dasbes-and, throwing shawl
around her, Janet stepped out into that
glory Of moonlight and ripping leaves.
casting n long, dark shadow upon the
ground as she moved, needless Of the
soft beauty around her. She had reck-
oned well, for when she stepped noise
lessIy among the shadows Of the trees
in the Bremen grounds she saw Rob
ert and Isabel walking together little
way beyond her.
Isabers beauty was ten-fo1d in the
soft moonlight, yet the sight Of Il did
not add pang to the miserable woman
who watched IL with wild bright eyes.
in the strange, mad passion Of Janet
Wilson, there was no jealousy OF Isa-
bells fair, Rir1ish face. The face would
be the means Of her vengeance, for men
worship woman with face like that.
Isabels voice reached her ears, clear
ly, distinctly. She was saying:
"Are you sure you love me as much
rs you did Janet Wilson,"
"A thousand times more" came Rob
ert's fervent reply.
Nslther moonlight nor sunlight could
rival the light in Janet's sunken eyes
as she listened with bated breath to
what was bitterest pain TO hear. Some
thing flashed like the simmer of tenn
pered steel in her eager hand, but
she waited, she knew not why.
ibid you really love her, Robert?s
"Love her? Yes, with the wild. head
strong love Of youth. Why, darling,
remember TO have awakened I'm the
night crying aloud for her. That was
when / first went away. She fascinated
me, then, and-yes, / loved her. Iprob-
ably would have been happy with her
had they left me alone. She was ter
ribly handsome"
Janets hand trembled upon the
knife she held, CULVER went over her
face, but she stood still as a statue
and as cold.
"You know everyone says that she
encouraged you, lured you on-you. a
mere boy, she mature woman?s
I'm that they spoke falsely. ! re-
member how she fought against her
love for me. She would not Weld at
once that boy had won her love.
10 not oow~ g. -