The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-03-11

thaf Sidney Cleye dld not love ~
bride Il must be his possessions.
Bui she could give no warning n
would he set down 20 jealousy. lie
sides She had no prof other than her
insiincf. Instinct fares badly when
opposed TO a womans alluring beauty
and n mans love.
Despair when deep enough u tonic
Marcella found herself laughing. taif-
lng gayly. dancing like thlstledown
with feet that did not tire. She did
not let herself think back nor for
ward instead she concentrated her
self upon the flying moment
With a curious dual sense she went
through her own allotted part, yet
took note Of all about her. II was
thus that very late she marked sid
ney's dbsence from the ballroom At
the very instant Elbridge came TO her.
"Glve me this waltz no matter
about your card" he said, whirllng
her away TO the rhythm Of wailinE
strings. For two rounds - said moth
Ing. only held her dellcately away
from him and studied her face. Then
with quick shIver he drew her closer.
whispering: "alareella, used 10
dream we should-go through life
together"
"You have found out better-in
time" Marcella answered In voice
whose eyenness surprised her. FL
bridge drew deep breath. You
don't care-and I'm cur enough not 10
be sorry Of H." he said. Come away
out on the piazza--I want TO talk
and this is the last chance"
II think you can have nothing TO say
TO me-" Marcella began but found
herself lmperlously borne outside.
Down, down the long smooth stretch
Elbridge wheeled her. the music grow
ing faint and fainter, until II was but
n ghost OF sound. There had been
lights everywhere--no half the lam
terms hung dark. and In the rest there
we're but filckers,
The shrubbery nj the west angie
was all dark, but 10 those upon the
piazza persons standing among II
were family visible. Two stood there
man and woman, locked in a long
embrace and shuddering yislbly.
Neither spoke for minute. Ell
bridge made TO draw Marcella away.
mutterlng an lmprecation under his
breath. Then the full moon riding
high among clouds, came suddenly
out and flooded the shrubbery with
silver. The woman broke out pas
slonately: "Carl Carl Take me with
you What do | care for money! For
anything-lf only | have you"
"You chose-the rich one" the man
said, his voice that Of an outlanders
you laughed nj the count without .
castle-who must ask your rich father
10 take care of both"
ibid you come here 70 mock mer
Sidney Cleve demanded. II came
because you called" the stranger be-
gan. What else he might have said
died In his thr0at--wlth n leap Ell
bridge had reached him. borne him
down and backward, and knelt upon
him with murder In his face.
$50 you cowardw he Missed
through set teeth. this Is how You
keep the promise that saved your mis-
cradle life. / forbade you 10 even
think of-but never mind. Remember
you had forfeited your life TO me
and / spared you--on conditions Don't
delude yourself that shall spare you
agnin--"
'But you will And spare yourself
much more" Marcella cried, kneeling
beside him TO unlock his tightening
fingers from the other mans throat
Sidney stood staring and duI.eyed ms
though stricken with madness AZ
Marcella wrenched loose ElbriGge's
fingers. Count Carl Won Gutenberg
groaned In relief, then said thlckly.
"Let me up will never more trouble
you"
"Carli WIN you leave meT Sidney
hinging herself prone be
side him. Elbridge got up. his face
curiously hardened. "He shall not. I
viii see TO that" he said. 1T has
come to me suddenly that by making
him marry you ! shall be sufficiently
reyenged On-both"
vengeance? DO you deserve ~
Think welt" Mareclla said. stepping
back a pace. Again the moon hid her
self. All was soft gray darkness.
II Marcella spoke low and
clear: "Forget-all Of you-and let
things be as they were. You may
trust me-nobody shall ever know"
Elbridge caught her hand. You
need not say that" he said. you
are truth and honor all through-but
one does not really forget ! thought
! had forgotten you-Dow ! know my
mistake Sidney II is ! who should
ask pardon-Of you and the count
Let me help you with the angry father
II think l can make Il smooth FOR
you there IN return you must help
ne. ! want 20 win back my good
angel. She has saved nae from muir
fpr-shp must try 10 save me from