Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1884 — MAUD FLEMING'S REVENGE, [ARTICLE]

MAUD FLEMING'S REVENGE,

BY H. MARIA GEORGE.

Percy Hamilton was by all odds the handsomest and most dashing man in Aylesville, a fellow somethyig like Ouida’shero, Granville de Vigne, somewhat proud and somewhat vain, with a touch of the old noblesse oblige about him that accorded well with his tall, statuesque figure and his leonine type of beauty. He was 28 years old, and rich, so rich, that he could follow his profession—the law—or let it alone as he chose; and for the most part he chose to let it alone. Percy had lately returned from a three years’ travel in the old world, bearded and browned as an Arab, and with the air of a grand prince. The pale, ■sickly gallants of Aylesville fell back in sad discomfiture at the advent of the gay and brilliant fellow, full of his reminiscences of Egypt and the Golden Horn, and of -talk of Parisian soirees and of nights at Baden-Baden. He had always had his way in this old surburban town, and it was quite natural that he should fall into the leadership again. The young fellow had excellent parts, but he had never used them, and did not know what work was. He had been left an orphan at a tender age, and adopted by a miserly old uncle who alternately petted him and swore at him, which made him a little reckless and desperate. When he grew up—handsome as a young Adonis—all the women went to work and spoiled him, as they generally do a handsome man. Then his ancle died and left him a fortune, and bo there was nothing for the young man but to enjoy himself. He had a wonderful capacity for flirtations, and more than one woman’s happiness was sacrificed to his vanity and recklessness. Against one fair girl he had committed the very blackest of deadly wrongs, and Maud Fleming was glad to hide herself in obscurity from the scorn and reproaches of that consistent world which never forgives in a woman the sin it winks at in a man. From that hour she had never been heai d from. But Percy Hamilton held up his brad and went on his way, and beautiful women, virtuous women they called themselves, smiled on him as sweetly as ever. Three years had gone by since that sad event, and many had forgotten it had ever happened. The fair beauties of Aylesville were completely fascinated by the face and manners of the dashing fellow; in fact, were mad over him—all but one. And she, Agnes Harcourt, was the most beautiful of them, and the one whom Percy was the most desirous to interest. Indeed, any man would have been charmed with Miss Harcourt. They called her a flirt, but she was <aot one exactly, though she was much •ioo haughty to deny the charge. Hearts and fortunes innumerable had been laid at her feet, but she quietly rejected them all, and passed on in her queenly way, gracious and charming, but as unconquerable as ever. To do her justice, she never appeared to seek admiration. She had been but a short time in Aylesville. Where she came from nobody could ever ascertain. The first thoy knew of her, she had come into their midst one gorgeous June morning, as if dropped from the clouds, her--self more gorgeous in her magnificent •dress and glorious beauty than the brilliant sky above her. The next they heard she Hhd purchased a handsome residence in the outskirts of the town and was refitting and furnishing it magnificently enough for a princess’ ▼ilia. She seemed the possessor of marvelous wealth, and wealth everywhere has its adorers. Of course Miss Harcourt soon met Mr. Hamilton. At the very first meeting he appeared to be completely fascinated, and soon became her most devoted admirer. It went on for three months in the usual way. Parties, -sleighrides, operas, etc., and Hamilton •everywhere Miss Harcourt attended. It was evident that Percey had more •than his vanity aroused; that his heart was touched and that he was in deadly ■earnest. As for Miss Harcourt no one could tell. In February there was a fete at Harcourt Lodge. All upper tendom was present. The hostess was magnificent in a dress of black velvet, with diamonds on her neck and arms. No one had ever seen her so graceful and queenly. There was a flush on her •cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes, and there was a resonant ring in her voice like the echo of silver bells. Some of her old lovers felt the flame stirring •anew, and looked daggers at Hamilton, who seemed the hero of the hour. A few ethers did not regard him with envy at all.

“By Jove!” said young Bob Alcott, ■whom 1 she had jilted some six months previously, “Mi3s Harcourt is on her high horse to-night, but there’s breakers Ahead. Do you see how spoony Percy as?” “Oh, I’ll risk Hamilton,” answered Tred Cleveland. “He cut his eye teeth long ago, and Miss Harcourt knows it. ” “I don’t care,” said Alcott; “there’s ■fun ahead, and don’t you forget it. Itook at him now while she is talking to him. Why, man, there’s a flush on his cheek like a girl’s blush at her lover’s first kiss. And she — l rather ' think I k&ow the meaning of the steely gleam in those eyes of hers. Well, I rather guess I do.” His companion laughed, for most people did not give Hamilton the credit of having any heart, although they re(parded Mias Harcourt as a scientific coTwo hours afterward, if nny one had 4a tbs conservatory they might

have heard that which showed plainly that Percy Hamilton had a heart and that it all belonged to this woman. They stood face to face in the dim, soft light, amid the perfume of the flowers, her face very calm and even cold, his full of earnestness and concentrated passion. “Why will you not answer me, Agnes?” holding her hands in a fierce clutch. “For three interminable weeks you have kept me in agony; a* week I more like this would kill me.” “I think that is exaggeration, Mr. Hamilton,” she answered, in a low, sweet voice, that stung him as a harder tone would have not; “people do not die so easily. ” “Agnes, I love you,” he cried. “I love you passionately.” “I am sure that is very kind, but is it just wise in you?” She said this very languidly, and looked at him with a quiet smile that he thought had mockery in it. “Do you mean to drive me mad, Agnes Harcourt ? I tell you this is the love of my life. My whole heart and soul are yours. You must be my wife, my own, to hold against the world. Do you understand me; do vou believe me” He flung out his arms to her, but she retreated a pace or two and raised her face to his. Every word she spoke was clear and distinct as the ring of a trumpet, and yet her voice was lifted scarcely above a w hisper. And as she stood there in her haughty triumph, it almost seemed to the man who loved her that she was larger by one-half in stature than ever before. “Mr. Hamilton, I understand you and I will answer you. You sav that you love me. So you told me once before, years ago, and you were recreant to your vows. How can I believe you now? Ha, you start! I see you do not know me, but do you not remember Maud Fleming? You never thought you were making love to her a second time. You thought your crime would go unpunished. It was fortunate for you, coward and hypocrite, that I loved you as I did, else I should have rilled you. But I swore to be revenged, and I have taken my own way to keep my oath. Percy, I loved you once better than my God, but that love has long since turned to hate. Sooner than wed you I would make myself the wife of the lowest brute in the universe who could be called a man. There, you have my answer. Go!"

She lifted her white hand with all the imperious grace of an empress, and pointed to the door. He obeyed her without a word. His face was pale as death, and his eyes had in them a sort of stony desperation like those of a man going to his doom. The next morning society was startled by the announcement that Percy Hamilton had shot himself and was not expected to live. A physician was summoned, who found him conscious but very feeble. “Doctor,” said Hamilton, as he bent over him to probe and bandage his wound, “I meant to have done the job without bungling, but I failed miserably. lam sorry to trouble you, but I do not wish to live.” “No man lias a right to throw his life away,” answered the Doctor, solemnly. “Life is a holy trust ” “You do not know the reason why I judged it better to die than to live. I ought to die, I deserve to die; yet she might have ohanged the whole tenor of my life. I do not blame her; she was just; but, oh, I love her so, Doctor. I must see her before I die. I must see Maud—Miss Harcourt. She must forgive me. Oh, will not the sacrifice of my worthless life atone in part for the wrong I did her.” There was no need of sending, for only a few moments after Miss Harcourt —Maud Fleming—herself came in. She went straight to the bedside, knelt down, and lifted Hamilton’s head against her bosom.

“My darling!” she said, in a tone whose wondrous tenderness made his weakened blood thrill like wine, “will you forgive me? I had no right to take vengeance out of God’s own hands. I had no right to spurn you as I did. And yet only heaven knows what it cost me, for, Percy, I love you as I have never loved any earthly thing. I have never ceased to love you. In all my sorrows and in all mv triumphs you have been the dear one of my heart. And you must live to bless me —to be mine. Oh, my darling, my darling!” and, bowrng her face on his, she gave way to a fit of sobbing which shook her from head to foot. Old Dr. Annesly stole out of the room and left them together. When he went back there was a new and beautiful peace on both faces. “Doctor, I am going to live, and you must help me,” said Hamilton, with a smile that lighted up his pale, handsome features. “I have something to live for now, and, God helping, I will retrieve the past.” And Percy Hamilton did live, and, through Maud Fleming’s love, became a happy, prosperous, honored man. The past they never recalled.