Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1903-05-14
LOVES
STRATAGEM
By Martha
Observation-Disclosures
Copyright. 1902. by the S. S. Mcclure Company

unfalterlng eyes. she sWaS mucn TOO
angry to be the least bit afraid. De-
liberately, in cold blood, Miss De VauX
had opened letter addressed to + e.
nella and stood reading it as though ii
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
Naux with face as set as her own.
Il 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. | did not think my fathers sis
ter could be so diShonorable."
Miss De VauX 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 obedi-
ence. She must be instantly diSc-
plined.
go to your room at oncew she said
Jelly. "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: "NVait. 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 hail
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. A small bag. pitifully
rusty, more pitifully 1abby, dangled
llOlll Acl all 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 l was
ungrateful. l understand now, you
you-wanted to save me the hurt, the
shame of it.. she went on, 'but l must
go away, just the same. | 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. l 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
it 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. A 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 Vaux began to speak,
but Fenella stopped her by an i'm.
perative gesture.
ut means you are to be rich and
happy in your own way" she said
clearly. Il 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."
Jermain laughed heartily. "In that
case you must needs console me-" he
said. Haven't you heard the news?
Susan elOped last night with Allen
Lee, and l have been ready to murder
MIN this last six weeks. l was so sure
he had bewitched our fairy here
He touched Fenella's arm reverentIy
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-
Wltched, John. That is the true word
for it. 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 l
have been cruel. Tell her she must
stay"
Il have no right to tell her any
thing" Jermain said paling through
all his healthy tan. Then to Fenella
he said: But you need not 90, dear,
to-escape me. shall never force nv
self on you. l love you too welP'-
1T is not that" Fenella interrupted
Il will stay, and gladly, on one condi-
ton"
Name it." Jermain said, looking
away. Fenella drew back a step.
THAT l may be my aunt's compan-
ion, not her heiress,' she said. eff
you will let her adopt YOU
She stopped, faltering the least bit
Jermain frowned blackly, but suddenly
his face cleared as if by magic. 81 be-
lieve that is the best way ont " no said