Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1900 — Twixt Life and Death [ARTICLE]

Twixt Life and Death

BY FRANK BARRETT

CHAPTER XVll.—(Continued.) The overture was finished, and now there was no sound but the buzzing of voices *nd the clatter of hoofs; but the ■ext moment the conventional three bangs of the drum opening a march were heard, and the grooms scuttled away to take their position at the head of their procession. A few moments of fluttering ■uspense, and then Nossa perceived a forward movement in front, and the moment afterward she herself was moving slowly forward. All the lights were up, the * band blaring its loudest as she passed tiie barrier and came into the arena. What a sight it was! The galleries, pink with human faces; the arena sparkling with the flowing stream of horses and chariots, and men and women In the gayest appointments that Imagination could desire. It was enough to bewilder a girl who had not yet realized that In such a ■how she was no more than “a pin in a packet"—as Mrs. Redmond put it. But Nes.sa kept her head, and remembering her Instructions, held her steed In place and looked the audience full in the face. In less than ten minutes it was all over, aud the ladies in No. 0 were changing for the next number. After a pause In the general clatter of tongues, one of the girls said, speaking across the room to Mth. Redmond: “Look here! we draw lots who's to win In the races," “You can draw as many lots as you like, niy dear; I mean to win if I can. What’s your sentiments?” —to Nessa. "I should certainly like to try to win; It must he such fun,” Nessa replied. “Oh, F don’t see where the fun comes In!" said the girl. “There’s always a row after a free scramble.” tentJously. Nessa, to her groat regret, took no part in the cotillion; but being dressed in her amazone for the coining race, she strolled out Into the corridor, and there met Mr. Fergus explaining what had taken place. “I thought Totty wouldn't agree to drawing lots. There's only one better horsewoman in the set, and -that's you. Now, you mustn't win.” Nessa looked crestfallen. “Do as I ask you, there’s a good girl," said the manager, kindly. "I know that woman better than you do. If you beat her, she will never forgive you. Y’our time will come; but while she’s here, let her win—will you?" “Of course, I will if you ask me,” said Nessa. _ It culled for all her self-command to keep in the rear when the race was run, •nd some skill, too, for Ncssa’s steed was eager for victory os she; but she came In last, and went off with the girls, envying airs. Redmond, who had won the bouquet, and was slowly trotting round the arena to the applause of the audienre—llic only individual recognition to

be won. Mrs. Kediuoml won two races out of three on Tuesday. No one could have boon more amiable than she was to Neast. “I should like to see you win,” she ■aid. “Would you, Vruly?” asked Nessa. “Oh, I inenn what I say; you’ll get to know of it by and by; but, of course, you can’t expect to do anything for some time. You see, Fergus is bound to give the best mounts to the best ridenr." On Wednesday evening during the cotillion, Fergus knocked at the door and came into the dressing room where Nea■a was waiting. “Dupre* is here,” he said. “Just come over from Faria—partly to see you. You ses, it is like this: The best are those who •else opportunities before there is time for them to escape. 1' recognised you as a good horsewoman and determined to get you if I could. That's why I was so ready to conclude business with Totty. Now the more I have seen of you the more convinced I am that I was right in my selection so convinced that in writing to Dupre* I let myself go about you, with this result that Duprez, who is even more anxious than I am to get a good rider, has come over, partly, as I tell yon, to see what you can do. And so, I think I shall have to let you go to-night, and risk putting Totty’s nose out of Joint.” “Oh, I’m sure she won't niiud,” Nessa exclaimed. “She said she should like to see me win." “Ah, well; she'll have her wish gratified or Pm mistaken. Go steady, take your top leap wide, and keep cool.” Nessa was glad that there was half an hour to wait, for at that moment she felt that she had not the strength to keep her seat in the saddle. "Better not tell Totty that Dupres Is In the house," said Fergus, in parting. So Nessa only said in a quiet tone to her friend that she would try her best to win. without saying why. "That’s right," said Mrs. Redmond, frith the magnanimity of one who has no fear of defeat. "Do your best, dear.” “I will,” aaid Nessa, quietly. And win she did, to the great dlsguat •f Mrs. Redmond. So great was her triumph that the colors she wore in the race were heralded throughout London on great placards bearing the inscription: "Hippodrome Races—Blue and White Win*.’’ CHAPTER XVIII. It waa a great hit. The hippodrome races were the talk of the town. The common theme of discussion was whether the race# were run fairly or not, waa it an arranged thing that Blue and White should win againat such odds, and It became the thing to go to Arcadia and decide by personal observation. Nessa's salary waa doubled and doubled and donbled again. Hhe might hare commanded any terms she chose to make. In her place Mrs. Redmond would have made a fortune. Nessa waa not greedy •f gain. She enjoyed her life eo much that It seemed to her almost too bad to take money tor what gave her sudh delight Ac waa glad, of course, to live In

a better house, and be waited on by a clean servant, and dress well; but her desire only went one step further, and that was to discharge her obligations to Mr*. Redmond. To her she handed over all the money she made, taking what she needed for her own immediate requirements with something almost like an apology. As she came to know men and women better, and obtained a clearer perception of the motives that govern their actions, her fuith in Mrs. Redmond’s disinterestedness died away, and she ceased even to like the woman; but for that reason she felt more strongly than ever bound to discharge Mrs. Redmond's continually reiterated claim on her gratimle. One morning, when Nessa had risen almost to the zenith of her popularity, Fergus said to her: “Miss Daneaster, Which Would you prefer—money or a horse?” 'The horse," replied Nessa, without a moment's reflection. “I knew It!" cried Fergus, slapping his thigh with satisfaction; "I befn fiver you would choose the horse. Well, now, you’ve only got to choose which horse it shall be. We’ll walk down the stalls—perhaps there's one I can let you have.” “I don't quite understand you.” “It’s like this; you’ve put a lot of money in our pockets. Well, we want to make you some sort of recognition.” Nessa thought Caprice was lovely, and Patatrao beautiful, and Zut charming, and so she went down the line, admiring one after the other, quite at a loss which to select from so many worthy of selection. Then suddenly she stopped, ■ with that look which was as beautiful on her face as the shadow of a cloud on a sunny landscape. “How much money might I have instead of the horse?" she asked. “Two hundred, guineas.” “Then I think I’ll take the money, If it's all the same.” Nessa drove to all the shops she could remember going to with Mrs. Redmond, asked what was owing in the name of Vanessa Grahame, paid up and found herself in the end with barely enough to pay her cab fare home. ’ Now they can’t send her to prison for getting things under false pretenses,” she said to herself; and thought no more of Patatrac.

She had no fear for herself now, and held Redmond in contempt; and this fearlessness arose partly from a change in her own character, and partly because the danger was less. She reasoned that the instinct of self-preservation would restrain Redmond from attacking her if accident led him to discover that she was Viola Daneaster, seeing that such a course would lend only to an exposure of his own villainy. Among the men of the world who frequented the canteen was an eminent lawyer. One night he said to Fergus, who was always open to receive a cigar, and willing to talk about the show: “I don't see Miss Daneaster here. All the other girls drop in pretty regularly.” "Perhaps that’s the reason why Miss Daneaster doesn’t.” “Hum! Considers herself a cut above them, eh?” "No; there's none of that confounded nonsense about her. She thiuks none the worse of others because she respects herself. On the whole, a more charming young lady doesn’t exist." “Should you be surprised to learn that the young lady is heiress to a considerable fortune?” “Not a bit. If she had a title I should not be astonished. From the very first I have believed that she has been driven from home.” "What reason have you for supposing that?” “Her education, manners, face, figure; everything shows birth and breeding.” "Now, could you ask Miss Daneaster if her name is Vanessa Grahame?” "I dare say I could, but I’m quite sure T wouldn’t.” "Unless it were to the young lady’s advantage,” suggested the lawyer. "That would alter the case, certainly.” ”1 think I can show yon that you may ask the question without impertinence. I hnve lately taken into my office a clerk. His name is Levy. This young man, without knowing the Interest I took in Miss Daneaster, asked my opipion In a case-where certain scoundrels have conspired to rob Miss Grahame, not only of her fortune, but her liberty also, and possibly her life. If his story is true, I believe there would he no difficulty in punishing at least one of the offenders and restoring Miss Grahame to the position she has been forced to relinquish. Now, if Miss Vanessa Grahame and Miss Viola Daneaster are one and the same person, I might he disposed to take up her case from n feeling of respect."

"Restoring Miss Grahame to her position means taking Miss Dnneaster out of the show. You are nuking me to do too much,” said Mr. Fergus, gloomily. "But you'll do it all the same, Mr.'Fergus, unless I nm greatly mistaken In your character.” Fergus made no reply to this. It was hard lines to sacrifice his own interests for those of a friend. But it looked as If he must "Her life Isn’t in jeopardy now, la It?” he asked. "Yes, It l«. my friend. Her life must be in jeopardy while those rascals have a chance of profiting by her death.” "I’ll aee about it,” aaid Fergus, coldly. The next dRy he found an opportunity to speak to Nessa in private. “Now, don’t aay a word till you’ve heard all < have to tell you,” he began. And then he recounted, as closely as he could remember, all that had passed the night before between hlmaelf and the lawyer. “Thgre you are,” he suld In conclusion. “Now It’s for you to say whether you wish to be known as Miss Dancaster or Mlsa Grahame.” News reflected for a few minutes, and then she said: ”1 am very grateful to you, Mr. Fergus,

and very grateful to your friend; but f do not wish to be known by any name but Viola Daneaster.* “But, It your life is in danger," suggested he. “My life is not in danger,” replied Nessa, in a tone of conviction; for she had quite resolved that Redmond was powerless to harm her. "I’m glad to hear it, with all my heart. But there is your position to think about." “I have thought about that. lam very happy here—happier than ever I have been in my life. I like the people here—everyone. I have all that I desire. The excitement is such a delight to me that f pity those who only look on. I do not think I could live without this nightly pleasure. It Is everything to me. I would not lose it even if my life were in danger.” Fergus breathed a deep sigh of relief. “Then what am T to tell this fellow?" he asked. “Tell him that Viola Daneaster refuses to acknowledge any other name.”

CHAPTER XIX. For one so young and so fresh In the field, Nessa had a wonderful amount of tact, which she owed to natural good feeling and good sense. She never wished to hurt anyone, and the wish not to hurt • prevented her from giving unintentional offense. She treated others as she wished them to treat her; she was true to them and true to herself. To sum up her character briefly, there was, as Mr. Fergus had said, "no confounded nonsense about her!’’ And so, being “awfully nice" as well as “awfully pretty”—Nessa Was liked by everyone, with the solitary exception of Mrs. Redmond. She was a good, large exception. Her jealousy and hatred amounted almost to a monomania. She brooded over the girl’s success with envy "gnawing at her heart. One passion now occupied the place of all others—this morose, vindictive jealousy of Nessa; and every malevolent feeling of her ill-conditioned nature was concentrated in a burning desire for the girl’s downfall. Her hatred was only increased by the knowledge that she owed her own position in the International, and her luxuries at home, entirely to one whom she constantly regarded as an enemy and a rival. One night, when she sat in the restaurant alone at one of the round tables. She saw at the further end of the place, her husband and Mr. Nichols, the money lender. For the first moment she was struck with fear—having the cowardice of wickedness—but this feeling gave place to one of another kind as she reflected that they were Nessa’s enemies rather than hers. Almost at the same moment Redmond caught sight of her. They stared at each other for a minute with the fixity of a couple of savage animals whose attitude is open to suspicion; then Redmond nodded with a sickly grin, and his wife responded in the same manner; Nichols, who had turned round, also nodded and grinned. This overture being made, the two men came down and seated themselves at the table, after shaking hands with the woman. "Seen the show?” she asked, as coolly as if the men had been the merest casual acquaintances. Redmond nodded. “You’re looking pretty fit, considering ” he said. “Considering what?” se asked, combatively. “Considering what you have to put up with. Awful come-down for you.” "What's an awful come-down?” in the same tone. “Now, don't’ quarrel, my dear—don’t quarrel just as you’re come together," said Mr. Nichols, in the unctuous tones and with the greasy smile of a .Tew money lender, as he raised a deprecating hand, dirty, but glittering with a marvelously big diamond. “Don’t quarrel, whatever you do.” “What do you mean by an ‘awful comedown?’” Insisted Mrs. Redmond. “Why, to play second fiddle to a girl who hasn’t been six months in the profession, after having it all your own way for twenty years.” “You don’t say Mrs. R. has been in it twenty years?” exclaimed Mr. Nichols, with polite incredulity. “Do you suppose I should let her win if I weren’t paid for it? I should have thought anyone could see that the races are all squared.” Redmond smiled, with a slow shake of his head. (To be continued.)