The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-03-19
LOVES
STRATAGEM
By Martha
McCulloc h. Williams
Copyright. 1902. by the S. S. Mcclure COMPANY

Fenella watched her aunt with wide,
unfaltering eyes. She WAS much toe
angry 10 be the least bit afraid. De.
! liberately, in cold blood, Miss De NauX
had opened a letter addressed 10 Fe-
nella and stood reading it as though il
were her own. The reading made her
eyes snap. When she came to the sig.
nature, she stamped hard and made IL
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
Naux 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 he
do it. l did hot think my fathers sis.
ter could be so dishonorable."
Miss De NauX 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 Yauxlour had shown
herself pattern of silent, shy obedi.
ence. She must be instantly disci
plined.
Go to your room at oncer' she said
Jelly. 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."
5hn I lIn IT
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, Slim
black wrath, clothed in the faded
mourning she had worn when she came
to Yauxlour. y small bag, pitifully
rusty, more pitifully fabby, dangled
from her hand. Il 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 Vaux. You were right. | was
ungrateful. l understand now, you
you-wanted to save me the hurt, the
shame of it." she went on, but 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. Listen! Be wise and
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,"
Fenela said proudly.
Miss De Naux wrung her hands
"You-you must not go away" she
her head, saying. Il must"
You are mad-quite mad~ Miss De
VauX said, the distress in her voice ap-
parent a tall, wholesome looking fell
low came gustily through the door. Two
strides took him UP to fenella. What
does it mean-this masqueradef' he
asked. Miss De Naux began To speak,
but Fenella stopped her by an i'm.
peratiye gesture.
ut means you are to be rich and
happy in your OWN way she said
clearly. Il have not been SO blind IT'S
you thought. Mr.. JeInain does not
really care for me. He loves Susan
Weir. though he has never let himself
acknowledge IL.
Jermain laughed heartily. in that
case you must needs console me-" he
said Haven't you heard the news
Susan elopcd last night with Allen
Lee. and | have been ready to murder
him this last six weeks | WIS 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 a 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 it, But she had the strength, the
sense, to save herself-wOuld not hear
of n 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. palng through
all his healthy tan. Then to Fenella
he said: but you need not 90, dear,
to-escape me. l shall never force my
self on you. ! love you too we'll
1T is not that" Fenela interrupted.
II will stay, and gladly on one condi-
ton"
Name it." Jermain said. looking
away. Fenella drew back step.
THAT | may be my aunt's compan-
ion, not her heiress." she said. IF
you will let her adopt YOU
She stopped, faltering the least bit.
Jermaln frowned blackly, but suddenly
his face cleared as If by magic Il be
lieve that is the best way out" he said,
with slight significant gesture to Miss