Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-30
XIV.
The First Martyr.

at home to any one who might call She
was not in the humor TO talk to
strangers. She gave instructions that
Sibyl was to act as hostess TO the chill
dren who had been asked to tea. and the
child was jubilant at the idea OF posing
as mistress Of the house.
Mrs. Lampirthy had much to occupy
her thoughts on that summer afternoon
The first shock of the discovery was sue
ceeded by a feeling of relief and even OF
gratitude For more than fourteen years
the folly of her childhood had Swallowed
her life. and had changed her from
silly. light-headed girl to hard, pleas
woman of the world.
More than fourteen years ago Henry
Rankin-which was the name Sir Richard
Gaunt had evidently assumed for TINS
particular amour-had given her thou-
sand pounds and packed her on 10 Ai'e'.
lea TO hide her shame.
In New York she had MADE the nc
ouaintance Of a man of humble position'
who had fallen in love with her ana OF
fered her marriage. She told as much Oh
her story as II was necessary Tor MN 10
know. and his only reply was 10 repea'
his offer of marriage. She accepted TINS
shelter from the storm that was gamer
ing about her head, and when Sioyl was
horn fine child was registered as the
daughter of Arthur and Violet Brackley.
The marriage, as might have been ex-
pected from the circumstances. was not
happy one. Arthur Brackley. VINO was
soon repented of his heroism. He found
the woman he looked upon as the ideal
of his humble mind to be vain. shallow,
untruthful and utterly interruptions
A year and a half after SlbyIs olrtn ne
was killed by the fall OF girder In q
new building where he was working as
bricklayer. His employer paid the widow
two thousand dollars compensation, anu
Mrs. Brackley, who had still kept most
of her thousand pounds intact was In no
danger of immediate want
Then Mr. Lampirthy had come upon
the scene. At that time he was merely
looked upon as smart man VINO Vas
likely to get on in the world. and ne had
not vet done more than lay the founda-
lions of the huge fortune which came 10
him in the next ten years. Mrs. Brackiey
deliberately set to work to capture MN
for a husband. and she was successfui.
Although she could not accurately pe
described as a woman who would inspire
a man to rise in the world yet her love
of luxury and her constant demands for
money acted as incentives to the man
who was struggling for the possession or
great wealth. She never allowed him TO
rest. II he made a million dollars. she
pointed out to him that he might make
another million. And he went ana mace
it. For a time she spent most or MS
earnings. And he did not feel himself a
free man till he had fortune tnat she
could not dissipate.
Such was the story of Violet Hexamer.
the woman for whom George Crawshay
had spent ten years of his life. III he had
less eager in his search for the be-
trayer, and he might never have be-
uueathed his legacy of vengeance to an
other man. But he knew nothing or the
truth. He supposed. and he had every
reason to suppose. that the betrayed
woman had sunk into the lowest depths
of shame. that she had died OF grief and
starvation. He certainly did not imagine
that she had triumphed over her first ana
only mistake. and had risen to position
that was the envy of half the women In
the world.
Violet Lampirthy had no reason to be
dissatisfied with the use she had made
of her life She had come out ION top.
But through all these years OF luxury
and splendor there had always been a
shadow in her sky. She had no regret for
the past. Her hard. worldly little mind
was never troubled by the pangs or con-
who had dishonored her. afraid lest he
should once more come into her life and
break down the splendid ediflce which
she had reared from the wreck or her
soul. A word from his lips might de-
stroy all her happiness. Mr.. Lampirthy
knew nothing of his wife, save that she
had been married to a poor and honest
working man. and that Sibyl was the
only child of this marriage.
This fear of the mans reappearance
had given birth to a hatred which was
almost incredible in shallow and frivo-
lous mind. Mrs. Lampirthy loathed
Henry Rankin with more than the bitter
ness of a betrayed woman. Only those
mt
insensate fury as she felt toward one
who had proved himself her master.
But now. as she sat in her boudoir.
thoughtfully slipping cup OF tea which
the maid had placed on table by her
side. the shadow was passing from her
life The man was dead. He had no
further power to do harm in this world.
She smiled at the thought OF her freedom,
and she was not ill-pleased TO nave
learnt that Sibyl's father was not q
nameless adventurer. but the head Of a
great and ancient family. There was no
regret at the thought that she herself
might have been mistress of Gaunt
Royal Mr.. Lampirthy's income for a
month would have purchased the whole
estate.
Her reverie was interrupted by the en-
trance of a servant with a leather letter
bag. The second post was always
nearest town by special messenger, as
there was only one delivery day.
She unlocked the bag and drew out a
handful Of letters. a newspaper ana sew
eral large circulars. She recognized the
handwriting of her husband on one or
the envelopes. and she gave his COM
munication precedence over all others.
She had written to him asking for large
check, as she had overdrawn her private
account.
The letter ran as follows:
Dear Violet: ] am sorry / cannot
send you the check you ask for. but all
my available income is being used in my
present work. / am myself living on six
teen shillings a week, and the life Is do
ing me a lot of good / hope to be able
to persuade you and Sibyl to follow my
example. If you read the Enclosed paper
YOU will see the nature OF the work on
which / am engaged, and you will under
stand that your present mode or living
is very detrimental both to my own in
terests and to those of the worthy man
whom l am proud to call my friend May
/ suggest a little retrenchment in your
expenditure? Your private income Is
surely sufficient for all your wants. But
will talk to you about this when l come
down next week.
Il am. your affectionate husband;
"PS.-Father Francis is now in the
neighborhood of Watersmeet. i have
asked him to call and see you. ] trust
you will receive him with every cour-
tesy."
Mrs Lampirthy's face flushed with
anger as she read this letter. Then she
opened the newspaper, which was the
momentous copy of the Northern Bullet.
She read every word of the eight col
umns devoted to MIR. Lampirthy and the
paper combine. and when she had fin-
iShed she understood why she had re-