Year: 1871


ing with bated breath down into the par.
lor, stood before the pier glass and
looked at myself.


Not many prettier sights had ] seen
in my life time. There was the glisten-
ing robe of snowy silk, with its trailing
lace over skirt looped by diamond
sprays; and the white velvet mantle
which was to be thrown over my shoul,
ders going to and from church; and the
veil, worth . thousand times its weight
in .goli. The veil fell over my face, hi
ding its wofnl pallor, over the tiny bou-
quet of orange blossoms at my belt,
over the whole shining length of my
skirt, its border of lilies dropping to
nay verysfeet.


Trulysiny wedding dress was mar.
vel ofsnnrity and splendor-hut how
beat the sore heart underneath!


1t was present from my lover-from
Gerald Vane; and in spite of the haueh-
ty woman who stood in the doorway
gazing at me in proud despair; in one
short hour l should be her sons wife


For two years l had lived under her
roof as her paid companion, bearing as
patiently as l could her scorn, and the
little daily insults she heaped upon me,
for had my daily bread to earn and
could not afford to return scorn for
scorn. Nevertheless had determined
to have my revenge, and was to day to
consummate it by becoming her sons
wife.


Her one virtue was love for her son
love which manifested itself in every
word ard look and tone. She knew
that he loved me devotedly, and
the desire for his happiness moved her
at length to humble herself even to me.


I could see her face in the glass, and
| knew that the fierce anger I had read
in it a moment ago had passed away,
and softer expression shone. in her
eyes.


Still / confess was startled when she
came close to me and laid her hand on
my shoulder, with an assumption Of the
careless grace that 80 became her..


lift your veil, Isabel, that / may see
your face that has won my darling away
from me-"


But haughtily declined her request.
Did I not know that the beauty of which
/ had boasted had faded like a flower !?
That my face which only yesterday
bloomed like rose was wan and strick-
en- with remorse2


Not that repented of the step | was
about to take, for felt then that would
not for worlds forego the pleasure Of
triumphing over Mrs. Vane; but that l
rememberd just then the man whom
loved as 1 had never loved any other
man; whom l loved as / did not love
my promised husband; whom I should
love with wild agony of desire when
| stood at the altar with lie on my
lips!


His face haunted me. 1t followed me
up and down the stairs-through the
long parlors and. into the silence of my
own little room-yet did not ,felent


shook her hand lightly off my shoul-
der as 1 refused to lift my veil.


81 shall uncover nv face tothe world,
and-to you, when ! am Mrs. Gerald
Vane- but not moment before that
time"


She shrank back as if 1 had struck
her. ..--,..


"Then PROMISE" she said, casping
her hands together, "to make my boy
happy. All, you do not know the task
you have undertaken!'


"If 1 find it so severe task. proba-
bly, 1 shall delegate it to some one else, y
l said carelessly.


She turned then and went out, and l
did not see her again until we reached
the church where the ceremony was to
be performed. g7


e M 4 -


The short ride had seemed intermins-
BILE, yet trembled and held back when
the carriage stopped. ~ >s.-


But in neither waking or sleeping
dreams had ever imagined that any
other power than my own will could
hinder the unhallowed marriage for
which I had plotted two miserable years.
Yet in one moment my plans were set
aside, and / stood alone in the world!


Seven years before, Gerald Vane had
privately married fair, young village
girl, tired of her in as many months, and
deserted her. He had not heard from
her during five years, and supposed hel
to be dead


| But there at the church. door she con-
fronted US, with her little girl, sweet
blue eyed darling clinging to her hand
and beside her with a face paler and
more full Of agony than my own, stood
Edward Janson.


He it was whom / had promised tc
marry at : Christmas time! lie it wa.
who had been. toiling patiently to win 6
pleasant home for me, and who he'd mel
with such base return for his great love
Gerald Vanc took his wife home,lea
ing me alone in the carriage, in splendid
misery l went to a hotel, and took of
my wedding dress and jewels, and sen
them by scrvan. to has mother.


And then l waited-as l am waiting
still! And though years have passeC
since then, and | am in the still twilight
of mature life, have never. since tina
fatal day, seen the face Of him l loved
SO we'll


Is it not Gods vengeance on my gull
ty heart? Dare l ever hope for happi
II