Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1907 — A SMILING VILLAIN. [ARTICLE]

A SMILING VILLAIN.

By VIOLET M. FLINN.

CHAPTER XXVll— (Continued.) She was so very hysterical that, for the time, she could give no explanation or attempt any extenuation of her conduct. Her sisters took 'her off to her bedroom <• over'and comfort the ’stray lamb with every endearing word and loving caress. The Rector thanked Lewisson in a few short but feeling words, that showed how deeply he was moved. "For really-these last Ifcodayalhava felt as though a load of stone had fallen upon me. and it is a blessed relief to know it 1!T Off. I suppose why Bride hooked it was because she was frightened?’’ Terry asked. ________ “It was because she discovered that all anwittingly she had divulged a secret to •m who made a bad use of it," Lewisson ■aid solemnly. “One who had betrayed had been honored, and used it as a cloak to further his nefarious designs. You. say the jewels have been- Restored? ■ There ** ■ "Die two actual thieves are in custody," Angus interposed solemnly. “The other, who was the prime mover, the leader, has paid his penalty. Bertram Charteris is dead." : ~ “Dead!” - at Caterham landing stage we saw the bant approach. Charteris was on her, and instead of waiting for the gangway to be lowered, tried to jump on to the stage. T do not know why, perhaps he saw and recognized me and it upset him, but he jumped short and went in. lie was swept under the pontoons at once. His cry ot abject terror and despair is still in my ears. (Ve stayed for an hour or sd, but they had not recovered the body when we left.” “He was concerned in the robbery?” the Rector asked slowly, his face ashen white. . “He is the one who directed the other two and planned the whole affair. We found cipher letters and telegrams from him in the rooms where the second man was arrested that showed very plainly his connection with the society." “Did you know him as a thief?” Mr. Beresford asked. — ’ “He was connected with them, but he passed under another name, and I only met him once or twice when he wore both beard and moustache. Here he was elean sh a v ,-n. But the recognition this morning was mutual. I suppose he grew alarmed at the silence of his confederates, and was anxious to hide himself for a while. But he is dead now."

CHAPTER XXVIII. It was a great shock to all the family to learn of the dead man’s duplicity and evil doing. Bride cried a great deal when she was told of his end, but Moyra suspected that there was much relief mingled with the sorrow. "I did like him. I was very fond of him,” she sobbed, with her head on Moyra’s shoulde-r, “and he said he was very, very fond of me. and —and I thought it was very grand having a lover and being engaged when no one knew anything about it. And I was so wicked! I believed all the horrid nasty things he used to tell me about you all without really saying them, that you were jealous because I was younger and prettier than you”—covering Moyra’s face with repentant kisses —“and that you were jealous because you wanted, to marry him. Oh, how could I be so wicked! And then there was that dance, that horrid dance! I’ll never go to another so long as I live. And he was so queer, and when he did eome for our dance I—l—really think” — sinking her voice—“that he was drunk. He talked and laughed and was so queer; and all of a sudden it seemed as if I had suddenly discovered what he was talking about] And, and”—her cheeks burning—“he tried to kiss me. and I was frightened. and he lost his temper and- said dreadful things, that I should be put in prison, that I had told him where the jewels were kept, and Mr. Fenton would

~ta W me aeut to jail. - “ KT''got‘’so'Trighleh?d'''fhrfl’'went’irpatairs to see if the jewels were safe and they were gone. I did not know what to do. 1 nearly died. And the professor was oo good to me. I shall never forget how good he was to me. When Lulu told me about the robbery and I heard that I was to be examined, I thought of the professor at once, and I felt no matter what happened I should have to tell him and ask him I must do? So I telegraphed to him from Bampton, and he met me in Birmingham. It was not until he had talked to me,” Bride continued, hanging her head, “that I saw what a ■elfish thing I had done in going off as I did. But, oh, Moyra, I was so frightened I” With Bride’s return the Rectory party seemed to settle into its accustomed grooves, and after the storms of the last month there seemed to be an inauguration of peace. ]fet only the next day the Rector opened the dining room door with a comical look of amusement and astonishment on his face. Ailoen was writing at the table, and seeing that she was alone he entered and closed the door. “Never in my life before have I been no astonished.’ he began. “Prof. Lewis■on has told me he wants to marry Bride. I thought he was your possession, Aileen?” “No —I went overboard when he saw Bride.” “Well, I’ll go and find Moyra, and find out her ideas on the matter. Dear me, a learned professor, known all over the world, wanting to marry our ignorant Bride, who doesn’t know a word of Greek and does not want to know it It is a gueer world.” » The Bector did not find out Moyra’s Ideas as he had intended. He walked into the school room and stopped almost petrified at the sight of Angus and his eldest daughter in very dose and unmistakably loverlike proximity. "Upon my word!” the astonished gentleman gasped, an he realised what was happening

The couple grew very red when they saw him, but Moyra drew her hand from Angus' grasp and flung her' arms around her father’s neck. “May I ask what this means?” the Rector said, but there was a comprehending twinkle in his eye and a friendliness in his tone that reassured both. "I know I can only be regarded as a usurper." Angus said meekly, “but I have loved Moyra from the moment I first “Of course, of course !" the Rector’ said. “That goes without saying.” CHAPTER XXIX. Perhaps no event ever created a greater, impression in Caterham West than did the news of Moyra’s engagement to the man whom some days • before every one had been abusing as a thief and a scounMian Prior, t? he sure, made ill-_ natured remarks, but, on the whole, comment was very kind. As Terry said, Moyra’s happiness was so apparent that no one hadthe heart to make invidious remarks. . The Fentons Were particularly pleased; Billy's congratulations were sincere and hearty. Vera petitioned to be a brldesmaid, and Mr. Fenton, after oger-Hig prb-’ fuse apologies to Angus, presentcd the bride-elect with one of the now celebrated necklaces. Every one seemed happy and at ease during the last few days of the vacation.A cablegram had been received from South tnuwtcn offering —congratulations and announcing Mr. Robertson’s departnro hy th** port hont. There was much talk of wedding preparations, and Angus was anxious to buy the big house, so that Moyra rfitght still be within reach of Bride, who seemed rdther pleased at the idea of being mistress at ‘the Rectory. "Angus says it will .do her good, that we have coddled her too much,” Moyra said, discussing the plan with Aileen, as she helped her to pack. "And father will bear a good deal of discomfort under Bride’s rule better .than a little under any one else's. Resides, 1 shall be so near I shall be able to lu-lp a great deal. I think it’s'a splendid idea.” "Yes,” said Aileen. Presently she said casually’,’ ”1 thought ttyat the Fen Lons had bought the place?” "Xo—only rented it for the winter. They are going away in March. Delda is very mopy about it. Indeejl, we shall all miss them. They have boon very nice neighbors in spite of the robbery. But I dare say, if that had not happened, I might never have been engaged. It was only when trouble came that I recognized-.

how I felt towards Angus.” Aileen assented again, and Moyra, who, in her absorption in her own plans, had almost lost sight of the affairs of other people, went on packing and made no further. reference to the Fentons. When luncheon was over Aileen put on her hat and coat, and went for a solitary walk along the shore. It was a cold, sunshiny day, and a bitter wind was blowing, That was probably the cause of the tears that coursed rapidly down her cheeks. She walked steadily on and on. a solitary figure on the bare, sandy expanse. She .collapsed in a heap on the sandhill and wept despairingly. Curiously enough the thoughts uppermost in her mind were how she should miss the excitement of Billy’s frequent letters in the coming term, his flowers, the accidental encounters with him in “quads” and streets. For a whole term they had broken the monotony, and provided a spice of adventure to the girl who, at that moment, was inclined to wish she had never heard of the Cause or been regarded as the “show” student. Now Billy had seen and recognized Aileen, and had guessed why she had turned towards the sandhills, so had continued hrs way along the shore, nt the same time watching eagerly for a glimpse of her as shpassed along. —But as he could see no signs of her, and as he fancied that he heard a call, his steps began to wavyr, and finally he too went up the hills. and, looked eageHy Aileen almost at his feet. “I’m afraid you’ve had an accident,” he said stiffly, as she pushed her wet handkerchief into her pocket, and hoped that he would not see that she had been crying. “Can I help you?” “If you please* I am caught in a rabbit trap”—and she drew her .skirt aside to show him. -

in a second Billy was on his knees beside her, examining the construction of the snare, his face black with rage. Had the owner of that trap been within reach of Billy’s ire just then he would never have forgotten it. \- “I am afraid I shall hurt you terribly in getting it open,” he said, looking up anxiously. “I will try not to touch you more than I can help.” “I’ll try not to scream,” Aileen answered. The constraint of her stiff position was making her feel faint and giddy. v Billy did hurt—he could not help it, and once Aileen uttered a little cry of pain, and caught his shoulder. At the sound muttered something that was far more emphatic than decorous, but Aileen did not resent it. Instead, she smiled a little, and looked at his strong bands with an expression that Billy ought to have seen. How strong he was! she thought, all a Roman's love of animal strcrjtb rising within her, and then she uttered a cry of dismay. “You have hurt yourself. It is bleeding. Oh, Billy!’’ He shook the blood from the jagged tear and looked up, flushing. “It is nothing—only a scratch. There, lift your foot quickly!” She did as he told her, while he held the springs apart, and then released them. Aileen murmured some confused words of thanks; her thoughts were elsewhere. “Let me look at your hand,” she commanded. “Oh, it is a dreadful tear! You must cover If before anything gets under the akin”—andt she drew her handkerchief out, returning it to her pocket

with a deep Mush. "Let me have yours.” Billy gave it her in silence. He set his teeth, feeling that he could not restrain himself much longer. The sight of Aileen with tears shining on heroheek, the touch of her hands, her unusual gentleness -were ail alike intoxicating. They reminded blm so strongly of all that he had lost, of those few brief moments, those rare times, when be had' fancied that Aileen's heart was responsive to his. "You must bathe your hand well with warm water,” sheaildras she knotted theends of the handkerchief securely. “I hope it won’t make any difference to your rowing.” - "Oh, no—not a scratch like that ! Why, Aileen, you’re crying I” “You—you are so unkind!” Billy’s eyes opened wide. “What have I done now?” he demanded, not unreasonably, almost beside him? self at the sight of her tears. “Aileen, darling, don't cry! It drives me crazy. Ob, do stop!—Tell me what I’m W do”— as Aileen sank down on the nearest sandhill and sobbed wildly, and, it must be confessed, ostentatiously. “Is it your foot? Do you want me to go away?” The sobs suddenly ceased, and Billy as ’suddenly dropped on his knees beside his very perplexing lady love. He drew her hands down from her blushing face and regarded her steadily. "I said I wouldn’t ask you again.’ he ’reniarked. wiien the scrutiny had-satisfied. him, “so you’ll have to do it.” There was a pause—a long pause; then suddenly, with a gesture that spoke volumes, Aileen flung herself into his outstretched arms. “I’love you, Billy,” she said simply. It was a long time afterwards, when they were walking very slowly- homewards; -that Billy suddenly remarked with n happy in light— ■ “You haven’t proposed yet, Aileep.” “I don’t mean to. do so. Yes—l will, Tor I’ve got the whip hand" —with—ameaning nod. “Let me see. Alan Hamilton Heywood Fenton,” she_said_co.lemn-_ ly, "would you likemeto 'WbWlibfl.t a Lid

henpeck you?” “Very much !** Billy responded. “You may have your college and fill the house with Profrssors and blue, stockings,' and I’ll humbly follow your lead. But, whenever you grow too obstreperous I’ll remind yoti of—your proposal,” “No, you won’t !” Aileen retorted. She pushed' up -her coat sleeve, and disclosed a—very-Taint-purple bruise on her wrist. “There is a worse one higher up, let me tell you !” she said, as Billy gazed at the mark in horror. “Aileen, did I do it —that night of the dance?” he asked, in a horror-stricken voice. “Your dear little wrist!” “Yes, you did it, and, it hurt very bad" ly. So if ever you remind me of my proposal, or don’t want me to have my own way, I’ll remind you of your strong fingers.” He did not resjxpid to her badinage, and, at the sight-of® bis grave face her own expression changed. She came close to him, and raised her face to his, looking into his eyes with an expression that left him in no doubt of her sincerity. “Oh, my dearest, my king!” she murmured softly. “Don’t you know I’d rather be bruised by you than have any other man lying at my feet?” He held her to him in his strong, young arms and kissed her almost reverently. "I believe you mean it.” he said. ” (The End.)