The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-06-09

servant to learn her identity, and the
man brought back word that she was
Mrs. Ernest Vane. A deadly weapon
was thus placed in Sir Charles hands,
but he refrained from making public
his information until the proper mo-
ment. A banquet had been arranged
by Mr.. Vane in honor of Peg Voting
ton and Sir Charles managed to have
Mrs. Vane appear when the festivities
were at their height.
His scheme was successful and the
effect of Mrs. Vane's advent was cleo
trical. Mr.. yane, not knowing that
his wife was in town, was filled with
CONSERVATION, but Pegs tact did not
desert her even in this trying moment
and she introduced those present as
members of the nobility. Mrs. Vane
was not suspicious, and accepted the
situation in good faith, but Triplet,
who had brought verses In honor OF
Miss Wellington. and being unaware Of
Mrs. Vane's identity, revealed the true
facts and the wife was heartbroken.
AS for Peg, she was furious at the
deception placed upon her. She fully
believed that Mr.. Vane was free to
WOO her and then in moment, her
dreams were rudely shattered and her
faith In mankind destroyed. She de-
termined to take desperate revenge.
She would. keep Vane at her side in
spite of the wife and then, when he
was firmly in her tolls, she would pub
o,-I
thoughts she went to Triplet's studio
where the portrait he had painted was
to he exhibited.
The first glance showed the picture
TO be a wretched failure, and even
Triplet acknowledged his defeat. But
there was no time to lose, for the
critics were already approaching the
studio. Peg. with sudden inspira-
ton, cut the face from the portrait
and, having arranged the draperies so
that her body would be concealed, she
placed her own features in the aper-
ture. The comments of the connois-
seurs were ludicrous, some declaring
there was not the slightest resem-
blance to the original, others that the
flesh tints were imperfect, and still
others that the drawing was out Of
all proportions. When the opinions
had been expressed, Peg came from
behind the easel and expressed her
views in true Milesian manner.
Peg remained after the others had
departed and told Triplet Of her in
tentions toward Mr.. Vane. Unexpect-
eddy Mrs. Vane knocked at the door
of the studio. She had been followed
by Sir Charles Pomander and had
sought refuge from his attentions. Peg
had no desire to meet Mrs. Vane, but
there was not sufficient time to es-
cape. so once more she went behind
the easel and placed her face in the
portrait Mrs. Vane, after explain
ing her presence, noticed the picture
and exclaimed:
"You are a great artist, Mr.. Triplet,
the likeness actually breathes. oh
that she were here, instead of this
wonderful image of her. 1 would speak
to her. 1 am not wise or learned, but
to her for my Ernest's heart"
She paused for moment and then,
addressing the picture, continued:
ooh, yes, you are beautiful, you are
gifted, and the eyes of thousands wait
on your every word and look. What
wonder that he. ardent, refined and
genial, should lay his heart at your
feet? / cannot take him from you
but oh, be generous to the weak and
give him back to mel Give him back
to me, beautiful, terrible woman, and
will love you longer than men can
love 7"
Suddenly she started back with a
wild scream.
'It is alive" she cried. and run
ming to Triplet, hid her face on his
shoulder.
For Peg had been so affected by the
piteous appeal of the heart-broken
woman that with all her seif-control
she could not check the tears which
coursed down her cheeks. Peg or
dered Triplet to leave the room and
when the two women were alone Peg
turned to Mrs. Vane and said calmly:
81 trust, madam, you will do me
the justice to believe did not know
Mr.. Vane was marriedT
II am sure Of it," replied Mrs. Vane.
"You are as good as you are gifted"
Peg then promised to so degrade
herself in Vane's eyes that he would
leave her in disgust, but TO this plan
Mrs. Vane refused to agree. Finally
Peg arrayed herself in Mrs. Vane's
cloak and hood, threw a note from the
window to Sir Charles, who was wait
ing below, which they knew would
bring that worthy into the room, and
then dispatched Triplet to summon
Mr.. Vane to the studio, Mrs. Vane con-
cealing herself in an adjoining apart
ment. Sir Charles responded to the
summons Immediately and in a mo-
ment was making violent love to Peg,
whom he mistook for Mrs. Vane.
t.. hi of set