The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-09-22

"A cipal hotel at Mt. Desert
EM> M stood a girl of rare anc
wonderful beauty, donninG
her armor for the coming fray-aI
armor whose breastplate was invisible
whose weapons were hidden, but none
the less impenetrable and keen fol
that.
Her maid had put the finishing
touches to a toilet of most artistic
loneliness. Her deep blue eyes were
black with excitement and triumph.
Three nights before she had received
a challenge-not an openiy-worded
challenge, but fully understood for all
that. Of course she had accepted,
though her acceptance was tactic, too;
but she and Jack Raymond understood
it, and each other. No more was nee
essary. They required no witnesses
among the world.
She had met him only week before.
. She had not known him ten minutes
before she felt he was one of the few
whose friendship she would be glad to
possess-nay, more, whom she would
feel pride in bringing within the scope
of her power.
Of course she would escape herself;
of that she had no passing doubt. She
had played with fire too long to fear its
scorching now. She was already In
her twenty second year, and number
less as were her victims, no one of
them possessed single trophy of even
q momentary triumph. Why, then,
need she fear to add a fresh name to
the list?
"You have heart? I should like to
make it stir!''
This had been the challenge, spoken
In low, earnest tones, heard only by
herself and the listening moon sailing
in it's awakening beauty in the ether
above their heads.
"Is it in your sight so poor a thing
you wish to make of it toy?" she had
answered, flashing one bewildering
glance into his down-bent face.
"Give it to me but for an hour and
see the use that would put it to. You
will not willingly, know, but I mean
to make the struggle for its posses
sion"
"You would glory in my defeat,
them"
Eyes, if you choose to call it by that
name. Most women would call it vic
tory, since for all so grudgingly given
return to you tenfold."
It was a strange, novel way Of
weoing, and it held fascination of it's
own. Most men had approached her as
suppliants, carefully hiding their mode
of attack upon the citadel Of her af-
fection, lest she Should see and fortify
it. This man boldly asserted not only
his method, but laughed to scorn her
defense, in his proud confidence that
the colors which so long had hoated to
the free breezes Of heaven would lower
themselves in obeisance before him.
It was nonsense, Of course. It was
audacity unparalleled on his part; but
It was audacity most charming, and
Ethel Marcus felt a little premonitory
shiver run through her veins, which
would have warned her already of
danger, had she known or recognized
it. Alas! her greatest danger was in
her perfect security.
She tossed a little triumphant smile
at her own reflection in the mirror, and
with it still lingering about the perfect
rose-red lips, ran lightly down the
stairs. At the foot he awaited her
coming. How sure she had been that
she would find him there!
'Do you know that our waltz is half
finished"' he asked. in low tones Of
reproach. 'Do you know that have
begrudged every moment Of which
you have robbed me?"
81 have robbed myself equally" was
the low-murmured reply. Cannot that
plead my pardon?"
"For what could you sue at my hands
I would not grant?" he answered.
Remember those words" she said.
"Some day may remind you of them"
The next moment they were in the
merry maze Of dancers. But thrice
had they foated through the room,
when the music ceased. Drawing her
hand within bis arm, they stepped out
upon the piazza.
The moon was almost at its full. 1t
smiled upon them most gracious vel
come.
, He spoke no word. but she could feel
the earnest gaze of his dark eyes fixed
upon her face, compelling her own at
length to meet them.
What wonderful eyes they were.
How full of strength, and tenderness.
and loving purpose.
She felt hot blood rush to her cheeks
"a commingled sense of pleasure and
of pain. vet the latter almost sweeter
than the former. 4 faint glimmerinG
Of possible danger in this instance of
silence dawneG upon her: faint
breath from fire with which she
might not play. A little shiver passed
over her.