The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-05-15
LOVES
STRATAGEM
By Martha
McCuiIoch- Williams

= Oupg1lis tSVEB Oy ulo d d HbOtIo UOWptaU L
Fenella watched her aunt with wide,
unfaltertng eyes. She was much too
angry to be the least bit afraid. De-
nberately, in cold blood. Miss De VauX
had opened letter addressed to Fe-
nella and stood reading it as though it
were her own. The reading made her
eyes snap. When she came to the sig
nature, she stamped hard and made to
fling the offending sheet into the fire.
Fenella was too quick for her. She
caught the letter, crumpled it between
locked hands, then confronted Miss De
VauX with a face as set as her own.
II have wanted not to hate you, Aunt
Pam" she said. There are just the
two Of US left. But-but you make me
do it. l did not think my fathers sis
ter could be so dishonOrable."
Miss De FarG gasped. If one of the
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 shown
herself a pattern Of silent, shy ohedi-
ence. She must be instantly disci-
plined.
go to your room at oncer' she said
icily. Stay there until John Jermain
comes. l 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 a 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, a slim,
black wrath, clothed in the faded
mourning she had worn when she came
to Vauxlour. \ small bag, pitifully
rusty, more pitifully fiabby, dangled
from her hand. II am taking away
nothing but what belongs to me. Bear
witness to that, Aunt PAM" she said
duly, pausing a few steps in front of
Miss De EauX. You were right. l was
ungrateful. l understand now, you
you-wanted to save me the hurt, the
shame of it." she went on, but l must
so away, just the same. 1 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. Listen! Be wise and
a little pitiful. John Jcrmuin ought to
be my son. never loTed 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, Il must"
You are mad-quite madr' Miss De
Vaux said, the distress in her voice ap-
parent. \ tall, wholesome looking fell
low came gustily through the door. Two
strides took him up to Fenella. What
does it mean-this masquerade" he
asked Miss De Eaux began to speak,
but Fenella stopped her by an i'm
perative gesture.
at means you are to be rich and
happy i'll your own way" she said
clearly. II have not been so blind as
you thought. Mr.. Jermain does not
really care for me. He loves Susan
Weir, though he has never let himself
acknowledge it,
Jermuin laughed heartily. "In that
case you must needs console me-" he
said. Haven't you heard the news?
Susan cloped last night with Allen
Lee, and have been ready to murder
him this last six weeks. l was so sure
he had bewitched our fairy here
He touched Fenella's arm reverently
as he spoke. She shrank from him
and made as if to speak. Miss De
VauX put hand over her lips. saying:
Let me tell him, Fenella. He ought
to know the truth. Our girl was be
witched, John. That is the true word
for 1t. But she had the strength, the
sense, to save herself-would not hear
of secret marriage. She had found
him out. She is going away because
have been cruel. Tell her she must
stay"
81 have no right to tell her any
thing" Jermain said, paling through
all his healthy tan. Thep to Fenella