The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-03-06
TIE DAILY
sE.IOR SIC: R!Y'
...A wind of Destiny.

81 Maratha MecuIiough:VtlIlIam

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had said "a wind of desttny" when .
friskyl breeze whipped half letter
from his loosely-clasped fingers and
sent it sailing high over the treetops.
"A rain squall was breaking-blg,
bright drops hurtled down SO fercely
it would have been senseless to pur-
sue the errant script. yet as he closed
the window he frowned, recalling that
the missing sheet was addressed to
him in a flowing hand, but SO clear.
SO unmistakable, that It would be rec
equitable, however sodden.
He had the comfort, though, Of
knowing there were long chances
against anybody ever seeing the paper
lit would fall and be buried, or
washed down with tho storm waters
to the safe hiding of the mill pond:
Certainly 1t would never fall under
Juliet Ravenels eye. Any others he
could fiout or battle, but hers. sharp,
ened by an acutely sensitive Jealousy,
would read not only what was IN the
lines, but between them.
Carolyn should have known better
than to write so, he reflected irritably.
Yet he had been unreasonably angered
! to find no touch of sentiment-onlya
gay and apparently genuine camara-
derie-where he had been assuring
himself that he had broken her heart.
He had even had twtnges OF conscience
over it-but what will not one do who
has all the good gifts save wealth
youth, strength, brains, ambition
when he sees the highest things with
| in his grasp-even money?
Public life allured him. He pinned to
be leader, stainless one, wearing
no mans collar. bound by nothing save
honor and conscience. Already he
| had put away from him most tempt
ing opportunity because to take It
meant wearing collar. How Carolyn
had glowed when she came to know
Of it. The wordly-wide trfckster who
had sought to advance him had said,
with cynical smile: go on your
way. lad! She's worth it-almost-
the girl for whom you are turning me
down. But-take it from me, son
II you marry her and try to keep on
living up to her you'll be failure It
will break her. heart to see."
The words had stuck, although Es-
may had tried to laugh them away.
Then after two years of struggle Fate
had thrown Juliet and her millions In
his path.
she was thin and dark, piteously
alone, just turned thirty and SO rath-
er older than he. She was narrowly
suspicious OF men and their motives
and we'll she might be-scores had
tried to marry her on the strength OF
her expectations. She had had only
an annuity until she reached thirty.
but now the money was hers undts-
putedIy so long as she lived. Falling
marriage and children, it, was to go
in the end to establish a great founda-
ton for the glory OF the Ravenal
name.
Prospective trustees had unwlsely
so affronted her by assuming they,
would inevitably come into possession
OF the millions that she had made up
her mind to marry out OF hand.
Just then came Norbert Esmay to
captivate her utterly and thereby
make her look at life from different
viewpoint. Yet she could not trust
him fully, much as she yearned to DO
it. AS penance.tor her lack OF 1mpltc-
it faith, she had shown herself reck-
lessly generous. letting him know del
icately that with herself she gave him
all-t1at there would never be q d.
vided purse or any question OF settle"
ments between them.
Naturally, Esmay had been touched
deeply. He had acted honorably, even
laying the case before Carolyn and
bidding her decide 1t for him. She had
answered him In a single sentence:
UNLESS babe you take the goods the
gods provide could not sign myself.
as do, always faithfully your friend,
Carolyn Dare"
He had accepted her verdict and
now the wedding was only just week
ahead. M
The letter which had been the sport
of the wind was Carolyn's answer to
his announcement of the date, a gem
tlewoman's letter throughout and rea-
sonably brief, yet-maybe 1t was his
conscience-he had felt deeply the
things it did not say. \
Juliet, likewise. would feel them
should her eyes ever fall upon that
letter. His acquaintance with her had
begun through Carolyn and there was
strong friendship between the Dare
heard faint whispers Of the one.time
close friendship between Carolyn and
Esmay.
L .t#
The storm was over, the afternoon
low sun struggling through the fast
moving clouds. Esmay threw the win
dows wide and looked out upon the
raip.washed world. At that moment a
car came swiftly up the drive. Ju.
liet!" his startled consciousness told
him more certainly than words.
Peofore he could rush down the two
flights to the hall he heard the woody
thud Of the knocker against the door
panel, and as he reached the foot Of
the stairs, Black Sam already stood In
the open door and Juliet's voice de-
handed peremptorily: Where Ia Mr..
Esmay?tI want him---at once"
fright here in person!" Esmay an
swered, coming forward with arms
outstretched In Welcome. He tried to
speak naturally, but his heart misgave
him-as well 1t might. 5.
Juliet had come in the company Of
old Judge Nixon, the widest OF the dis
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