The Story Teller. A LESSON IN REVENGE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 274, 23 November 1894, Page 9

The Story Teller. A LESSON IN REVENGE.

Seated in the bay-window of Mrs Bar.? y’s spacious drawing-room. Cyril Delmar was telling Helen Darsey that l.e !:.v?d her. air! wanted her for his wife. And just obishu: the window, through whose op-ti, h.rod raped casement the odour of night jasmine crept like incense, and t; o moon down in a flood of silvery light, Vi,-.an Ames listened to his words, with & crushed and bleeding heart ; his iove words io another. For, until tonight, Vivian had believed tin ne loved her, and tuat 4 ' so re day—-some sweet day ” —he would tell her so, in words, even as his eyes had alreno spoken. Love needs no spoken assurance ; a glance of the eye—swift and soulful a touch of the hand—all speak with urate tongues ; but Love knows and comprehends, and is glad. Two months ago, Cyril Delmar i;ad made the acquaintance of the Darseys, and the poor relation, ‘Vivian Ames. It had been quite a romantic affair. He had come to this suburban place one beautiful June morning——had ridden on horseback —for the purpose of visiting a certain estate adjoining "the Darsey place. It was a fine property, and, being in the market, Cyril had made up his mind that it was just the home for him, when he should see fit to take to himself a wife. He was 28, handsome, and would event nally be quite a matrimonial “ catch.” For his uncle, Bichard Clyde, was a millionaire and a bachelor, and Cyril was reputed to be his prospective heir. The old millionaire was passed 70, and made no secret of the fact that his nephew would 1 some day inherit his fortune Row, that fair June morning, as Cyril Delmar rode gaily along the straight smooth road that led past Mrs Darsey’s house, he did not dream that his fate lay in an ambush just beyond. Bight in front of the high' arched iron gates, bis horse took fright, and threw him violently to the ground. It was just like a scene from a novel, so Helen Darsey had declared, with her big blue eyes full ot delight, not at the thought of the young man’s sufferings, of course, but jeeaum it was all so like a story, or a p>ay unhandsome hero was carried into the Darsey house by two men-servants, and placed upon a sofa, while Mrs Darsey a tall, elegant woman, dresser! like a fashion plate, sent at once for their family physician. Ar rived there, that dignitary soon pronounced the young man’s injuries not dangerous, though painful. He must have rest and care for a week or two. Of course, when Cyril Delmar had properly introduced himself, Mrs Darsey was more than willing to turn her house into a temporary hospital, and all the household vied with each other io care and attention to the sufferer. To say that Cyril Delmar took an unfair advantage of the situation to remain an invalid as long as possible, would not be quite untrue. Who could blame him? For both Helen and her cousin Vivian were constantly at his side, to read to him. sing to him, converse with him. Somehow lie seemed to prefer Vivian’s society, A slight, pale girl, with great dark eyes, and a low, sweet voice. And as time went by there grew up within her heart a love which was soon strong enough to crowd out all else. She cared nothing’ tor his wealth : She loved him for himself alone. But Helen Darsey had £ an eye to the main ehance,” and had lie been poor, Cyril Delmar would have had a small prospect of success. The days passed, and Vivian s love grew a.nd increased in depth and strength, until it was her all. She lived for nothing else. In the meantime, old Mr Clyde had Ire quently called upon his nephew, and saw with satisfaction that he was greatly interested in Vivian For, somehow, poor and dependent though she was, she touched the old man’s heart, and he preferred that his nephew’s choice should be Vivian Ames. Cyril led her on and on to believe iierge]f beloved ; he had said everything that a lover might say except to ask her to be come his wife, when, all at once, a change came " over him. He seemed to avoid Vivian. There were no more c - Ate a-tetes ” no more tender looks and words. Cyixi was quite recovered now. and the coveted home had been purenased, but though he and his uncle resided there, Cyril

i most or ms on- wi r - - pv-; w ; o iv ot sacin-: 10 Lei - ciurk &yos whic had never been there before. And noo tonight—the night my story opens—she had received the blow winch broke her heart. At least, she thought that it was broken ; but sew aro, ie-w - ‘eb, not so easily c niMed, or nv d rnorlais would be condemned to iresri break. For wo all got versgf. human ..cart o eiaoia anti springe back into place again, even after a heavy sorrow has crushed down upon it. Standing outside the window that night Vivian listened, because she could not help it, Sbe heard Cyril’s words : 4 I love you, Helen ! Will you be my wife ? Understand me—-this is not the first, best Jove of my heart that I offer you —bat —you know my sad story, and if you can overlook all that, and help me to forget, and be my wife, Helen, we will try to be happy ! ’ And Vivian’s heart had grown cold, but she whispered to herself that better no love at all than a half-hearted love like that. He had deceived her. It was bitter, it was hard, but it was true, With a heart swel - ling with indignation she turned away And there, right at her side, she saw old Mr Clyde, gazing down into the small pale face, with eyes full of sadness. He, too, had overheard the interesting iove story ‘Vivian ! ’ he said, softly, taking the girl’s cold hands in his own, ‘ we have unintentionally played eavesdroppers ! I am not sorry, for I have thus learned the truth and my nephew’s real nature. He is a dishonorable fellow I Vivian, listen ! Do you want keyenge for this treatment of you ? 1 acknowledge that 1 am burning to punish him, for lie has been guilty of a cruel wrong to you, Everybody has be lieved that you and he vould marry, until lately, when he has devoted himself to that wax doll, Helen Darsey, Do you want revenge, Vivian ? ’ She glanced into his face, all a tremble. Her eyes shone like stars. Did she? Would any woman in her plac?— cast aside, made light of—-as she had be n—wish revenge for her wrongs ? 4 Do I P she faltered, 4 tell me, tell me—how ?’ He clasped her trembling hands. ‘ Marry me ?’ he whispered. 4 I ran old enough to be your father, dear ; but I would be good and kind to you, and 1 shall not live long, When I die you will have all—all ! Vivian, do you hear me ?’ She started and turned pale. £ And——Cyril ?’ she whispered. The old man smiied grimly. 4 That is my affair, I have an idea that there is a surprise in store for you, Vivian, Only sav yes and I will do the rest.’ 4 Yes? That was all. The old man’s face wore a satisfied look ; he bent his grey head and touched the girl’s forehead with his lips. 4 Heaven bless you, my dear,’ he said. But, Vivian was Jot happy, She had accepted the offer of revenge upon Cyril Delmar for his perfidy ; accepted it when thrust into her hands in this strange way ; but her heart was heavy and troubled. ‘ Revenge is sweet/ says the old adage, but Vivian did not find it so_ The next morning old .Richard Clyde called upon Mrs Darsey, and electrified that, lady by asking her sanction to his marriage with Vivian Ames. 1 My Clyde !’ gasped Mrs Darsey, almost unable to speak—why ! this is overwhelming i I thought you would never marry and that—Cyril is—is ’ 4 My heir in prospective ? Ay, so he is, in case X do not marry. All men reserve the right to change their condition, Mrs Darsey.’ 4 Then, of course, if Delmar is not to be your heir he cannot marry my daughter,’ stormed Mrs Darsey, wrath fully. An odd smile touched the old man’s bearded lip, but he said nothing-. In the meantime, out in the grounds, Vivian had encountered Cyril Delmar. She walked straight up to him and extended her hand, * Allow me io ccngra' ulate you,’ she was beginning ; but something in the sad, dark eyes fixed upon her face made her hesitate. £ Vivian !’ (in a choked voice), 4 do not mock me ! I would not have asked Helen to be my wife but for your cruel conduct ’ ‘ Explain yourself !’ she demanded hautily. He grew pale.’ * Why ! are you not engaged to be married to a gentleman in the West ?’ he

- V'" ' 4 Helen fold mo so and —and—• ■ lie . c-poed short surprised at the look upon he: face. ‘ I see,’ she faltered. 4 Oh, Cyril, it is false—false. Helen has told you a wicked falsehood.’ His face grew dark. 4 And she has inveigled me into asking her to marry roe !’ he groaned. 4 Oh, Vivsince sue ,i: w day i met you / Just then Mr Clyde appeared. Mis face wore a look of satisfaction. 4 My little plot has worked admirably !’ he cried l As soon as Mrs Darsey and her daughter learned that I had asked Vivian to be my wife, and (bus virtually ii i sin fieri t you, Cyril, the engagement between von and Helen Darsey ceased to exist/ Cyril fell back amazed, 4 Have—you—asked—Vivian to be—your wife, Uncle Riehrrd he faltered, ‘ Why, Vivian loves me!’ £ X Know it ! And I know that there was some underhand work going on, on the part fof Helen Darsey. I got Vivian’s consent to marry me, while she was piqued and half wild over your conduct, I knew that when I announced my engagement, Helen Darsey would throw you over, and at the same time all the bidden plot which has parted you and Vivian would come to light. ‘ I can only say, 4 Bless ye, my children !’ ’ And so Cyril Delmar won his wife. And Vivian, remembering how she had grasped at the proffered revenge, felt a deep feeling of remorse. Revenge may be sweet, but Vivian Delmar cares naught for its sweetness, There is nothing in the world, she says, one half so sweet as love