Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-03-18
LOVES
STRATAGEM
BY Martha
Observation-Disclosures

liberately, in cold blood. Miss De Vau
had opened Il letter addressed to +,
nela and stood reading 1t as though
We're her own. The reading made he
eyes snap. When she came to the sig
nature, she stamped hard and made t
fling the offending sheet into the fire.
Fenela was too quick for her. Sh
caught the letter, crumpled it between
locked hands, then confronted Miss d
Vaux with a face as set as her own
II have wanted not to hate you, Aun
Pam" she said. There are just thu
two Of us left. But-but you make M
do 1t. l did not think my fathers sis
ter could be so dishonorable."
Miss De Vaux gasped. If one of til,
roses blooming on the terrace outside
the windows had spoken reproof OF
her. she would have been scarcely more
amazed Fenella In all the five years
since she came to Vauxlour had showr
herself pattern Of silent, shy obedi
ence. She must be instantly disci
plined.
icily. "Stay there until John Jermain
comes | shall tell him the whole truth
After that, If he still wishes to marry
you. you will leave my house as his
wife or else as penniless as you are
ungrateful."
IL shall go nowr' Fenella said, turn
ing toward the outer door, Miss De
Vaux barred her way, saying with a
bitter smile: "Wait. Read your letter.
Between the lines you will find out
that your true love, Mr.. Allen Lee, does
not want you unless you bring him the
hope of my money"
Fenella's luminous pallor turned sud
denly ashen, but her head was high as
she answered, You would hardly have
tried to burn letter which said that"
But instead of pressing to the hall
door she turned and went up the stair
way.
In an hour she came down, slim,
black wrath. clothed In the faded
mourning she had worn when she came
to Vauxlour \ small bag, pitifully
rusty more pitifully fabby, dangled
from her hand. II am taking away
nothing but what belongs to me. Bear
witness to that, Aunt Pam she said
DULY, pausing few steps in front Of
Miss De Vaux. You were right | was
ungrateful. | understand now, you
you-wantcd to save me the hurt, the
shame of it," she went on, but l must
go away, just the same. l cannot-can-
not marry
"Stop, foolish child, There need be
no talk of marriage-until you choose"
Miss De Vaux said huskily. Under
her crust of imperiOus pride she loved
Fenella dearly. "Listenl Be wise and
a little pitiful. John Jermain ought to
be my son. | never loved anybody but
his father. My pride and temper part
ed us. Now you know why l want
him to have the money, yet not to leave
1t away from my own blood"
"Let him have it-unincumbered,'
Fenella said proudly.
Miss De Vaux wrung her hands.
"You-yOu must not go away" she
said. Fenella smiled wanly, but shook
her head saying, II must"
you are mad-quite madw Miss De
Vaux said, the distress In her voice ND, |
parent. A tall, wholesome looking fell
ow came gustily through the door, Two |
strides took him up to Fenella. What |
does it mean-this masqueradeY he |
asked Miss De Vaux began to speak,
but Fenella stopped her by an i'm
perative gesture.
1T means you are to be rich and
happy in your own way" she said
clearly. 81 have not been so blind rs
you thought. Mr.. Jermain does not
really care for me- He loves Susan
Weir, though he has never let hims, If
it,"
Jermain laughed heartily. ''In that
case you must needs console me-" ie
said. "Haycn't you heard the newsy
Susan eloped last night with Allen
Lee and | have been ready to murder
him this last six weeks. was so sure
be had bewitched our fairy here
He touched Fenella's arm reverently
rs he spoke. She shrank from him
and made as If to speak. Miss De
vaux put hand over her lips. saying:
Let me tel him, Fenella He ought
o know the truth. Our girl was 10
John That Is the true word
'Or It, But she had the strength, the
sense, to save herscf-would not hear
If secret marriage. She had founl
lin out. She is going away because
ave been cruel Tell her she must
tay."
81 have no right TO tell her any
hing" Jermaln said. paling through .
II his healthy tan. Then to Fenella
he said: but you need not 20. dear. =.
o-escape me- shall never force my :.
elf OH you. love you too well'--
1T is not that" Fenella interrupted. Z
] will stay. and gladly. on one condi-
Ion."
"Name it," Jermain said, looking
way. Fenella drew back step.
"That | may be my aunt's compan- /,
III. not her helress." she said III
on will let her adopt YOU
She stopped, faltering the least bit
ermain frowned blackly. but suddenly
Is face cleared as II by magic. 81 be-
eve that is the best. way out" he sa.d. 4
18th slight significant gesture to Miss IN
'e Yaux.
The new order of things made little 2
inward difference. Inwardly Fenc'l'
lafed over slight and subtle char
Iaterlally she had no cnrse for com
aint. Her salary Wa a little more
ian her quarterly allowance had been.
er duties were less than she had vol