An Unexpected Result

by Edward Payson Roe

"Jack, she played with me deliberately, heartlessly. I can neverforgive her.""In that case, Will, I congratulate you. Such a girl isn't worth asecond thought, and you've made a happy escape.""No congratulations, if you please. You can talk coolly, becausein regard to such matters you are cool, and, I may add, a triflecold. Ambition is your mistress, and a musty law-book has moreattractions for you than any woman living. I'm not so tempered. Iam subject to the general law of nature, and a woman's love andsympathy are essential to success in my life and work.""That's all right; but there are as good fish--""Oh, have done with your trite nonsense," interrupted Will Munson,impatiently. "I'd consult you on a point of law in preference tomost of the gray-beards, but I was a fool to speak of this affair.And yet as my most intimate friend--""Come, Will, I'm not unfeeling;" and John Ackland rose and put hishand on his friend's shoulder. "I admit that the subject is remotefrom my line of thought and wholly beyond my experience. If theaffair is so serious I shall take it to heart.""Serious! Is it a slight thing to be crippled for life?""Oh, come, now," said Ackland, giving his friend a hearty andencouraging thump, "you are sound in mind and limb; what matters ascratch on the heart to a man not twenty-five?""Very well; I'll say no more about it. When I need a lawyer I'llcome to you. Good-by; I sail for Brazil in the morning.""Will, sit down and look me in the eyes," said Ackland,decisively. "Will, forgive me. You are in trouble. A man's eyesusually tell me more than all his words, and I don't like theexpression of yours. There is yellow fever in Brazil.""I know it," was the careless reply."What excuse have you for going?""Business complications have arisen there, and I promptlyvolunteered to go. My employers were kind enough to hesitate andwarn me, and to say that they could send a man less valuable tothem, but I soon overcame their objections.""That is your excuse for going. The reason I see in your eyes. Youare reckless, Will.""I have reason to be.""I can't agree with you, but I feel for you all the same. Tell meall about it, for this is sad news to me. I had hoped to join youon the beach in a few days, and to spend August with you and mycousin. I confess I am beginning to feel exceedingly vindictivetoward this pretty little monster, and if any harm comes to you Ishall be savage enough to scalp her.""The harm has come already, Jack. I'm hit hard. She showed me amirage of happiness that has made my present world a desert. I amreckless; I'm desperate. You may think it is weak and unmanly, butyou don't know anything about it. Time or the fever may cure me,but now I am bankrupt in all that gives value to life. A womanwith an art so consummate that it seemed artless, deliberatelyevoked the best there was in me, then threw it away asindifferently as a cast-off glove.""Tell me how it came about.""How can I tell you? How can I in cold blood recall glances,words, intonations, the pressure of a hand that seemed alive withreciprocal feeling? In addition to her beauty she had theirresistible charm of fascination. I was wary at first, but sheangled for me with a skill that would have disarmed any man whodid not believe in the inherent falseness of woman. The childrenin the house idolized her, and I have great faith in a child'sintuitions.""Oh, that was only a part of her guile," said Ackland, frowningly."Probably; at any rate she has taken all the color and zest out ofmy life. I wish some one could pay her back in her own coin. Idon't suppose she has a heart; but I wish her vanity might bewounded in a way that would teach her a lesson never to beforgotten.""It certainly would be a well-deserved retribution," said Ackland,musingly."Jack, you are the one, of all the world, to administer thepunishment. I don't believe a woman's smiles ever quickened yourpulse one beat.""You are right, Will, it is my cold-bloodedness--to put yourthought in plain English--that will prove your best ally.""I only hope that I am not leading you into danger. You will needan Indian's stoicism.""Bah! I may fail ignominiously, and find her vanity invulnerable,but I pledge you my word that I will avenge you if it be withinthe compass of my skill. My cousin, Mrs. Alston, may prove auseful ally. I think you wrote me that the name of this siren wasEva Van Tyne?""Yes; I only wish she had the rudiments of a heart, so that shemight feel in a faint, far-off way a little of the pain she hasinflicted on me. Don't let her make you falter or grow remorseful,Jack. Remember that you have given a pledge to one who may be deadbefore you can fulfil it."Ackland said farewell to his friend with the fear that he mightnever see him again, and a few days later found himself at a NewEngland seaside resort, with a relentless purpose lurking in hisdark eyes. Mrs. Alston did unconsciously prove a useful ally, forher wealth and elegance gave her unusual prestige in the house,and in joining her party Ackland achieved immediately all thesocial recognition he desired.While strolling with this lady on the piazza he observed theobject of his quest, and was at once compelled to make moreallowance than he had done hitherto for his friend's discomfiture.Two or three children were leaning over the young girl's chair,and she was amusing them by some clever caricatures. She was notso interested, however, but that she soon noted the new-comer, andbestowed upon him from time to time curious and furtive glances.That these were not returned seemed to occasion her some surprise,for she was not accustomed to be so utterly ignored, even by astranger. A little later Ackland saw her consulting the hotelregister."I have at least awakened her curiosity," he thought."I've been waiting for you to ask me who that pretty girl is,"said Mrs. Alton, laughing; "you do indeed exceed all men inindifference to women.""I know all about that girl," was the grim reply. "She has playedthe very deuce with my friend Munson.""Yes," replied Mrs. Alston, indignantly, "it was the most shamefulpiece of coquetry I ever saw. She is a puzzle to me. To thechildren and the old people in the house she is consideration andkindness itself; but she appears to regard men of your years aslegitimate game and is perfectly remorseless. So beware! She isdangerous, invulnerable as you imagine yourself to be. She willpractice her wiles upon you if you give her half a chance, and herart has much more than her pretty face to enforce it. She isunusually clever."Ackland's slight shrug was so contemptuous that his cousin wasnettled, and she thought, "I wish the girl could disturb hiscomplacent equanimity just a little. It vexes one to see a man soindifferent; it's a slight to woman;" and she determined to giveMiss Van Tyne the vantage-ground of an introduction at the firstopportunity.And this occurred before the evening was over. To her surpriseAckland entered into an extended conversation with the enemy."Well," she thought, "if he begins in this style there will soonbe another victim. Miss Van Tyne can talk to as bright a man as heis and hold her own. Meanwhile she will assail him in a hundredcovert ways. Out of regard for his friend he should have shownsome disapproval of her; but there he sits quietly talking in thepublicity of the parlor.""Mrs. Alston," said a friend at her elbow, "you ought to forewarnyour cousin and tell him of Mr. Munson's fate.""He knows all about Mr. Munson," was her reply. "Indeed, thelatter is his most intimate friend. I suppose my cousin isindulging in a little natural curiosity concerning this destroyerof masculine peace, and if ever a man could do so in safety hecan.""Why so?""Well, I never knew so unsusceptible a man. With the exception ofa few of his relatives, he has never cared for ladies' society."Mrs. Alston was far astray in supposing that curiosity wasAckland's motive in his rather prolonged conversation with MissVan Tyne. It was simply part of his tactics, for he proposed towaste no time in skirmishing or in guarded and gradual approaches.He would cross weapons at once, and secure his object by a sharpand aggressive campaign. His object was to obtain immediately someidea of the calibre of the girl's mind, and in this respect he wasagreeably surprised, for while giving little evidence of thorougheducation, she was unusually intelligent and exceedingly quick inher perceptions. He soon learned also that she was gifted withmore than woman's customary intuition, that she was watching hisface closely for meanings that he might not choose to express inwords or else to conceal by his language. While he feared that histask would be far more difficult than he expected, and that hewould have to be extremely guarded in order not to reveal hisdesign, he was glad to learn that the foe was worthy of his steel.Meanwhile her ability and self-reliance banished all compunction.He had no scruples in humbling the pride of a woman who was atonce so proud, so heartless, and so clever. Nor would the effortbe wearisome, for she had proved herself both amusing andinteresting. He might enjoy it quite as much as an intricate lawcase.Even prejudiced Ackland, as he saw her occasionally on thefollowing day, was compelled to admit that she was more thanpretty. Her features were neither regular nor faultless. Her mouthwas too large to be perfect, and her nose was not Grecian; but hereyes were peculiarly fine and illumined her face, whose chiefcharm lay in its power of expression. If she chose, almost all herthoughts and feelings could find their reflex there. The troublewas that she could as readily mask her thought and express whatshe did not feel. Her eyes were of the darkest blue and her hairseemed light in contrast. It was evident that she had studiedgrace so thoroughly that her manner and carriage appearedunstudied and natural. She never seemed self-conscious, and yet noone had ever seen her in an ungainly posture or had known her tomake an awkward gesture. This grace, however, like a finishedstyle in writing, was tinged so strongly with her ownindividuality that it appeared original as compared with thefashionable monotony which characterized the manners of so many ofher age. She could not have been much more than twenty; and yet,as Mrs. Alston took pains to inform her cousin, she had long beenin society, adding, "Its homage is her breath of life, and fromall I hear your friend Munson has had many predecessors. Be onyour guard.""Your solicitude in my behalf is quite touching," he replied. "Whois this fair buccaneer that has made so many wrecks and exacts soheavy a revenue from society? Who has the care of her and what areher antecedents?""She is an orphan, and possessed, I am told, of considerableproperty in her own name. A forceless, nerveless maiden aunt isabout the only antecedent we see much of. Her guardian has beenhere once or twice, but practically she is independent."Miss Van Tyne's efforts to learn something concerning Ackland wereapparently quite as casual and indifferent and yet were made withutmost skill. She knew that Mrs. Alston's friend was something ofa gossip; and she led her to speak of the subject of her thoughtswith an indirect finesse that would have amused the young manexceedingly could he have been an unobserved witness. When shelearned that he was Mr. Munson's intimate friend and that he wasaware of her treatment of the latter, she was somewhatdisconcerted. One so forewarned might not become an easy prey. Butthe additional fact that he was almost a woman-hater put her uponher mettle at once, and she felt that here was a chance for aconquest such as she had never made before. She now believed thatshe had discovered the key to his indifference. He was readyenough to amuse himself with her as a clever woman, but knew hertoo well to bestow upon her even a friendly thought."If I can bring him to my feet it will be a triumph indeed," shemurmured exultantly; "and at my feet he shall be if he gives mehalf a chance." Seemingly he gave her every chance that she coulddesire, and while he scarcely made any effort to seek her society,she noted with secret satisfaction that he often appeared as ifaccidentally near her, and that he ever made it the easiest andmost natural thing in the world for her to join him. Hisconversation was often as gay and unconventional as she couldwish; but she seldom failed to detect in it an uncomfortableelement of satire and irony. He always left her dissatisfied withherself and with a depressing consciousness that she had made noimpression upon him.His conquest grew into an absorbing desire; and she unobtrusivelybrought to bear upon him every art and fascination that shepossessed. Her toilets were as exquisite as they were simple. Thechildren were made to idolize her more than ever; but Ackland wascandid enough to admit that this was not all guile on her part,for she was evidently in sympathy with the little people, who canrarely be imposed upon by any amount of false interest. Indeed, hesaw no reason to doubt that she abounded in good-nature toward allexcept the natural objects of her ruling passion; but the veryskill and deliberateness with which she sought to gratify thispassion greatly increased his vindictive feeling. He saw hownaturally and completely his friend had been deceived and howexquisite must have been the hopes and anticipations so falselyraised. Therefore he smiled more grimly at the close of eachsucceeding day, and was more than ever bent upon theaccomplishment of his purpose.At length Miss Van Tyne changed her tactics and grew quiteoblivious to Ackland's presence in the house; but she found himapparently too indifferent to observe the fact. She then permittedone of her several admirers to become devoted; Ackland did notoffer the protest of even a glance. He stood, as it were, justwhere she had left him, ready for an occasional chat, stroll, orexcursion, if the affair came about naturally and without mucheffort on his part. She found that she could neither induce him toseek her nor annoy him by an indifference which she meant shouldbe more marked than his own.Some little time after there came a windy day when the surf was soheavy that there were but few bathers. Ackland was a good swimmer,and took his plunge as usual. He was leaving the water when MissVan Tyne ran down the beach and was about to dart through thebreakers in her wonted fearless style."Be careful," he said to her; "the undertow is strong, and the manwho has charge of the bathing is ill and not here. The tide ischanging--in fact, running out already, I believe." But she wouldnot even look at him, much less answer. As there were othergentlemen present, he started for his bath-house, but hadproceeded but a little way up the beach before a cry brought himto the water's edge instantly."Something is wrong with Miss Van Tyne," cried half a dozenvoices. "She ventured out recklessly, and it seems as if shecouldn't get back."At that moment her form rose on the crest of a wave, and above thethunder of the surf came her faint cry, "Help!"The other bathers stood irresolute, for she was dangerously farout, and the tide had evidently turned. Ackland, on the contrary,dashed through the breakers and then, in his efforts for speed,dived through the waves nearest to the shore. When he reached theplace where he expected to find her he saw nothing for a moment ortwo but great crested billows that every moment were increasing inheight under the rising wind. For a moment he feared that she hadperished, and the thought that the beautiful creature had met herdeath so suddenly and awfully made him almost sick and faint. Aninstant later, however, a wave threw her up from the trough of thesea into full vision somewhat on his right, and a few strongstrokes brought him to her side."Oh, save me!" she gasped."Don't cling to me," he said sternly. "Do as I bid you. Strike outfor the shore if you are able; if not, lie on your back andfloat."She did the latter, for now that aid had reached her sheapparently recovered from her panic and was perfectly tractable.He placed his left hand under her and struck out quietly, awarethat the least excitement causing exhaustion on his part mightcost both of them their lives.As they approached the shore a rope was thrown to them, andAckland, who felt his strength giving way, seized it--desperately.He passed his arm around his companion with a grasp that almostmade her breathless, and they were dragged half suffocated throughthe water until strong hands on either side rushed them throughthe breakers.Miss Van Tyne for a moment or two stood dazed and panting, thendisengaged herself from the rather warm support of the devotedadmirer whom she had tried to play against Ackland, and tried towalk, but after a few uncertain steps fell senseless on the sand,thus for the moment drawing to herself the attention of theincreasing throng. Ackland, glad to escape notice, was staggeringoff to his bath-house when several ladies, more mindful of hispart in the affair than the men had been, overtook him with a fireof questions and plaudits."Please leave me alone," he said almost savagely, without lookingaround."What a bear he is! Any one else would have been a littlecomplacent over such an exploit," they chorused, as they followedthe unconscious girl, who was now being carried to the hotel.Ackland locked the door of his little apartment and sank pantingon the bench. "Maledictions on her!" he muttered. "At one timethere was a better chance of her being fatal to me than to Munsonwith his yellow-fever tragedy in prospect. Her recklessness to-daywas perfectly insane. If she tries it again she may drown for allthat I care, or at least ought to care." His anger appeared to actlike a tonic, and he was soon ready to return to the house. Adozen sprang forward to congratulate him, but they found suchimpatience and annoyance at all reference to the affair that withmany surmises the topic was dropped."You are a queer fellow," remarked his privileged cousin, as hetook her out to dinner. "Why don't you let people speak naturallyabout the matter, or rather, why don't you pose as the hero of theoccasion?""Because the whole affair was most unnatural, and I am deeplyincensed. In a case of necessity I am ready to risk my life,although it has unusual attractions for me; but I'm nomelodramatic hero looking for adventures. What necessity was therein this case? It is the old story of Munson over again in anotherguise. The act was that of an inconsiderate, heartless woman whofollows her impulses and inclinations, no matter what may be theconsequences." After a moment he added less indignantly, "I mustgive her credit for one thing, angry as I am--she behaved well inthe water, otherwise she would have drowned me.""She is not a fool. Most women would have drowned you.""She is indeed not a fool; therefore she's the more to blame. Ifshe is ever so reckless again, may I be asleep in my room. Ofcourse one can't stand by and see a woman drown, no matter who orwhat she is.""Jack, what made her so reckless?" Mrs. Alston asked, with asudden intelligence lighting up her face."Hang it all! How should I know? What made her torture Munson? Shefollows her impulses, and they are not always conducive to anyone's well-being, not even her own.""Mark my words, she has never shown this kind of recklessnessbefore.""Oh, yes, she has. She was running her horse to death the otherhot morning and nearly trampled on a child;" and he told of anunexpected encounter while he was taking a rather extended ramble."Well," exclaimed Mrs. Alston, smiling significantly, "I think Iunderstand her symptoms better than you do. If you are as cold-blooded as you seem, I may have to interfere.""Oh, bah!" he answered impatiently. "Pardon me, but I shoulddespise myself forever should I become sentimental, knowing what Ido.""Jack, had you no compunctions when fearing that such a beautifulgirl might perish? We are going to have an awful night. Hear thewind whistle and moan, and the sky is already black with clouds.The roar of the surface grows louder every hour. Think of thatlovely form being out in those black angry waves, darted at andpreyed upon by horrible slimy monsters. Oh, it fairly makes myflesh creep!""And mine too," he said with a strong gesture of disgust;"especially when I remember that I should have kept her company,for of course I could not return without her. I confess that whenat first I could not find her I was fairly sick at the thought ofher fate. But remember how uncalled for it all was--quite as muchso as that poor Will Munson is on his way to die with the yellowfever, like enough.""Jack," said his cousin, affectionately, laying her hand on hisarm, "blessings on your courage to-day! If what might havehappened so easily had occurred, I could never have looked uponthe sea again without a shudder. I should have been tormented by ahorrible memory all my life. It was brave and noble--""Oh, hush!" he said angrily. "I won't hear another word about iteven from you. I'm not brave and noble. I went because I wascompelled to go; I hated to go. I hate the girl, and have morereason now than ever. If we had both drowned, no doubt there wouldhave been less trouble in the world. There would have been onelawyer the less, and a coquette extinguished. Now we shall bothprey on society in our different ways indefinitely.""Jack, you are in an awful mood to-day.""I am; never was in a worse.""Having so narrowly escaped death, you ought to be subdued andgrateful.""On the contrary, I'm inclined to profanity. Excuse me; don't wishany dessert. I'll try a walk and a cigar. You will now be glad tobe rid of me on any terms.""Stay, Jack. See, Miss Van Tyne has so far recovered as to comedown. She looked unutterable things at you as she entered.""Of course she did. Very few of her thoughts concerning me orother young men would sound well if uttered. Tell your friends tolet this topic alone, or I shall be rude to them," and without aglance toward the girl he had rescued he left the dining-room."Well, well," murmured Mrs. Alston, "I never saw Jack in such amood before. It is quite as unaccountable as Miss Tyne'srecklessness. I wonder what is the matter with him."Ackland was speedily driven back from his walk by the rain, whichfact he did not regret, for he found himself exhausted anddepressed. Seeking a retired piazza in order to be alone, he satdown with his hat drawn over his eyes and smoked furiously. Beforevery long, however, he was startled out of a painful revery by atimid voice saying:"Mr. Ackland, won't you permit me to thank you?"He rose. Miss Van Tyne stood before him with outstretched hand. Hedid not notice it, but bowing coldly, said:"Please consider that you have thanked me and let the subjectdrop.""Do not be so harsh with me," she pleaded. "I cannot help it ifyou are. Mr. Ackland, you saved my life.""Possibly.""And possibly you think that it is scarcely worth saving.""Possibly your own conscience suggested that thought to you.""You are heartless," she burst out indignantly. He began to laugh."That's a droll charge for you to make," he said.She looked at him steadfastly for a moment, and then murmured:"You are thinking of your friend, Mr. Munson.""That would be quite natural. How many more can you think of?""You are indeed unrelenting," she faltered, tears coming into hereyes; "but I cannot forget that but for you I should now be outthere"--and she indicated the sea by a gesture, then covered herface with her hands, and shuddered."Do not feel under obligations. I should have been compelled to doas much for any human being. You seem to forget that I stood aneven chance of being out there with you, and that there was nomore need of the risk than there was that my best friend's lifeshould be blight--""You--you out there?" she cried, springing toward him and pointingto the sea."Certainly. You cannot suppose that having once found you, I couldcome ashore without you. As it was, my strength was rapidly givingway, and were it not for the rope--""Oh, forgive me," she cried passionately, seizing his hand inspite of him. "It never entered my mind that you could drown. Isomehow felt that nothing could harm you. I was reckless--I didn'tknow what I was doing--I don't understand myself any more. Please--please forgive me, or I shall not sleep to-night.""Certainly," he said lightly, "if you will not refer to our littleepisode again.""Please don't speak in that way," she sighed, turning away."I have complied with your request.""I suppose I must be content," she resumed sadly. Then turning herhead slowly toward him she added hesitatingly: "Will you forgiveme for--for treating your friend--""No," he replied, with such stern emphasis that she shrank fromhim and trembled."You are indeed heartless," she faltered, as she turned to leavehim."Miss Van Tyne," he said indignantly, "twice you have charged mewith being heartless. Your voice and manner indicate that I wouldbe unnatural and unworthy of respect were I what you charge. Inthe name of all that's rational what does this word 'heartless'mean to you? Where was your heart when you sent my friend away sowretched and humbled that he is virtually seeking the death fromwhich you are so glad to escape?""I did not love him," she protested faintly.He laughed bitterly, and continued, "Love! That's a word which Ibelieve has no meaning for you at all, but it had for him. You area remarkably clever woman, Miss Van Tyne. You have brains inabundance. See, I do you justice. What is more, you are beautifuland can be so fascinating that a man who believed in you mighteasily worship you. You made him believe in you. You tried tobeguile me into a condition that with my nature would be ruinindeed. You never had the baby plea of a silly, shallow woman. Itook pains to find that out the first evening we met. In your artof beguiling an honest, trusting man you were as perfect as youwere remorseless, and you understood exactly what you were doing."For a time she seemed overwhelmed by his lava-like torrent ofwords, and stood with bowed head and shrinking, trembling form;but when he ceased she turned to him and said bitterly andemphatically:"I did not understand what I was doing, nor would my brain havetaught me were I all intellect like yourself. I half wish you hadleft me to drown," and with a slight, despairing gesture sheturned away and did not look back.Ackland's face lighted up with a sudden flash of intelligence anddeep feeling. He started to recall her, hesitated, and watched herearnestly until she disappeared; then looking out on the scowlingocean, he took off his hat and exclaimed in a deep, low tone:"By all that's divine, can this be? Is it possible that throughthe suffering of her own awakening heart she is learning to knowthe pain she has given to others? Should this be true, the affairis taking an entirely new aspect, and Munson will be avenged asneither of us ever dreamed would be possible."He resumed his old position and thought long and deeply, thenrejoined his cousin, who was somewhat surprised to find that hisbitter mood had given place to his former composure."How is this, Jack?" she asked. "As the storm grows wilderwithout, you become more serene.""Only trying to make amends for my former bearishness," he saidcarelessly, but with a little rising color."I don't understand you at all," she continued discontentedly. "Isaw you sulking in that out-of-the-way corner, and I saw Miss VanTyne approach you hesitatingly and timidly, with the purpose, nodoubt, of thanking you. Of course I did not stay to watch, but alittle later I met Miss Van Tyne, and she looked white and rigid.She has not left her room since.""You take a great interest in Miss Van Tyne. It is well you arenot in my place.""I half wish I was and had your chances. You are more pitilessthan the waves from which you saved her.""I can't help being just what I am," he said coldly. "Good-night."And he too disappeared for the rest of the evening.The rain continued to fall in blinding torrents, and the buildingfairly trembled under the violence of the wind. The guests drewtogether in the lighted rooms, and sought by varied amusements topass the time until the fierceness of the storm abated, few caringto retire while the uproar of the elements was so great.At last as the storm passed away, and the late-rising moon threw asickly gleam on the tumultuous waters, Eva looked from her windowwith sleepless eyes, thinking sadly and bitterly of the past andfuture. Suddenly a dark figure appeared on the beach in the trackof the moonlight. She snatched an opera-glass, but could notrecognize the solitary form. The thought would come, however, thatit was Ackland; and if it were, what were his thoughts and whatplace had she in them? Why was he watching so near the spot thatmight have been their burial-place?"At least he shall not think that I can stolidly sleep after whathas occurred," she thought, and she turned up her light, openedher window, and sat down by it again. Whoever the unseasonablerambler might be, he appeared to recognize the gleam from herwindow, for he walked hastily down the beach and disappeared.After a time she darkened her room again and waited in vain forhis return. "If it were he, he shuns even the slightestrecognition," she thought despairingly; and the early dawn was notfar distant when she fell into an unquiet sleep.For the next few days Miss Van Tyne was a puzzle to all exceptMrs. Alston. She was quite unlike the girl she had formerly been,and she made no effort to disguise the fact. In the place of herold exuberance of life and spirits, there was lassitude and greatdepression. The rich color ebbed steadily from her face, and darklines under her eyes betokened sleepless nights. She saw the manycurious glances in her direction, but apparently did not care whatwas thought or surmised. Were it not that her manner to Acklandwas so misleading, the tendency to couple their names togetherwould have been far more general. She neither sought nor shunnedhis society; in fact, she treated him as she did the othergentlemen of her acquaintance. She took him at his word. He hadsaid he would forgive her on condition that she would not speak ofwhat he was pleased to term that "little episode," and she neverreferred to it.Her aunt was as much at fault as the others, and one dayquerulously complained to Mrs. Alston that she was growing anxiousabout Eva. "At first I thought she was disappointed over theindifference of that icy cousin of yours; but she does not appearto care a straw for him. When I mention his name she speaks of himin a natural, grateful way, then her thoughts appear to wander offto some matter that is troubling her. I can't find out whether sheis ill or whether she has heard some bad news of which she willnot speak. She never gave me or any one that I know of much of herconfidence."Mrs. Alston listened but made no comments. She was sure she wasright in regard to Miss Van Tyne's trouble, but her cousinmystified her. Ackland had become perfectly inscrutable. As far asshe could judge by any word or act of his he had simply lost hisinterest in Miss Van Tyne, and that was all that could be said;and yet a fine instinct tormented Mrs. Alston with the doubt thatthis was not true, and that the young girl was the subject of asedulously concealed scrutiny. Was he watching for his friend orfor his own sake, or was he, in a spirit of retaliation, enjoyingthe suffering of one who had made others suffer? His reserve wasso great that she could not pierce it, and his caution baffledeven her vigilance. But she waited patiently, assured that thelittle drama must soon pass into a more significant phase.And she was right. Miss Van Tyne could not maintain the line ofaction she had resolved upon. She had thought, "I won't try toappear happy when I am not. I won't adopt the conventional mask ofgayety when the heart is wounded. How often I have seen through itand smiled at the transparent farce--farce it seemed then, but Inow fear it was often tragedy. At any rate there was neitherdignity nor deception in it. I have done with being false, and soshall simply act myself and be a true woman. Though my heart breaka thousand times, not even by a glance shall I show that it isbreaking for him. If he or others surmise the truth, they may; letthem. It is a part of my penance; and I will show the higher,stronger pride of one who makes no vain, useless pretence to happyindifference, but who can maintain a self-control so perfect thateven Mrs. Alston shall not see one unmaidenly advance oroverture."She succeeded for a time, as we have seen, but she overrated herwill and underrated her heart, that with deepening intensitycraved the love denied her. With increasing frequency she said toherself, "I must go away. My only course is to hide my weaknessand never see him again. He is inflexible, yet his very obduracyincreases my love a hundred-fold."At last after a lonely walk on the beach she concluded, "Myguardian must take me home on Monday next. He comes to-night tospend Sunday with us, and I will make preparations to go at once."Although her resolution did not fail her, she walked forward moreand more slowly, her dejection and weariness becoming almostoverpowering. As she was turning a sharp angle of rocks thatjutted well down to the water she came face to face with Acklandand Mrs. Alston. She was off her guard; and her thoughts of himhad been so absorbing that she felt he must be conscious of them.She flushed painfully and hurried by with slight recognition anddowncast face, but she had scarcely passed them when, acting undera sudden impulse, she stopped and said in a low tone:"Mr. Ackland--"He turned expectantly toward her. For a moment she found itdifficult to speak, then ignoring the presence of Mrs. Alston,resolutely began:"Mr. Ackland, I must refer once more to a topic which you have ina sense forbidden. I feel partially absolved, however, for I donot think you have forgiven me anything. At any rate I must askyour pardon once more for having so needlessly and foolishlyimperilled your life. I say these words now because I may not haveanother opportunity; we leave on Monday." With this she raised hereyes to his with an appeal for a little kindness which Mrs. Alstonwas confident could not be resisted. Indeed, she was sure that shesaw a slight nervous tremor in Ackland's hands, as if he found ithard to control himself. Then he appeared to grow rigid. Liftinghis hat, he said gravely and unresponsively:"Miss Van Tyne, you now surely have made ample amends. Pleaseforget the whole affair."She turned from him at once, but not so quickly but that both heand his cousin saw the bitter tears that would come. A momentlater she was hidden by the angle of the rock. As long as she wasvisible Ackland watched her without moving, then he slowly turnedto his cousin, his face as inscrutable as ever. She walked at hisside for a few moments in ill-concealed impatience, then stoppedand said decisively:"I'll go no further with you to-day. I am losing all respect foryou."Without speaking, he turned to accompany her back to the house.His reticence and coldness appeared to annoy her beyond endurance,for she soon stopped and sat down on a ledge of the rocks thatjutted down the beach where they had met Miss Van Tyne."John, you are the most unnatural man I ever saw in my life," shebegan angrily."What reason have you for so flattering an opinion," he askedcoolly."You have been giving reason for it every day since you camehere," she resumed hotly. "I always heard it said that you had noheart; but I defended you and declared that your course towardyour mother even when a boy showed that you had, and that youwould prove it some day. But I now believe that you areunnaturally cold, heartless, and unfeeling. I had no objection toyour wounding Miss Van Tyne's vanity and encouraged you when thatalone bid fair to suffer. But when she proved she had a heart andthat you had awakened it, she deserved at least kindness andconsideration on your part. If you could not return her affection,you should have gone away at once; but I believe that you havestayed for the sole and cruel purpose of gloating over hersuffering.""She has not suffered more than my friend, or than I would if--""You indeed! The idea of your suffering from any such cause! Ihalf believe you came here with the deliberate purpose of avengingyour friend, and that you are keeping for his inspection a diaryin which the poor girl's humiliation to-day will form the hatefulclimax."They did not dream that the one most interested was near. Miss VanTyne had felt too faint and sorely wounded to go further withoutrest. Believing that the rocks would hide her from those whoseeyes she would most wish to shun, she had thrown herself downbeyond the angle and was shedding the bitterest tears that she hadever known. Suddenly she heard Mrs. Alston's words but a shortdistance away, and was so overcome by their import that shehesitated what to do. She would not meet them again for the world,but felt so weak that she doubted whether she could drag herselfaway without being discovered, especially as the beach trended offto the left so sharply a little further on that they mightdiscover her. While she was looking vainly for some way of escapeshe heard Ackland's words and Mrs. Alston's surmise in reply thathe had come with the purpose of revenge. She was so stung by theirapparent truth that she resolved to clamber up through an openingof the rocks if the thing were possible. Panting and exhausted shegained the summit, and then hastened to an adjacent grove, as somewounded, timid creature would run to the nearest cover. Acklandhad heard sounds and had stepped around the point of the rocksjust in time to see her disappearing above the bank. Returning toMrs. Alston, he said impatiently:"In view of your opinions my society can have no attractions foryou. Shall I accompany you to the hotel?""No," was the angry reply. "I'm in no mood to speak to you againto-day."He merely bowed and turned as if to pursue his walk. The momentshe was hidden, however, he also climbed the rocks in time to seeMiss Van Tyne entering the grove. With swift and silent tread hefollowed her, but could not at once discover her hiding-place. Atlast passionate sobs made it evident that she was concealed behinda great oak a little on his left. Approaching cautiously, he heardher moan:"Oh, this is worse than death! He makes me feel as if even God hadno mercy for me. But I will expiate my wrong; I will, at thebitterest sacrifice which a woman can make."She sprang up to meet Ackland standing with folded arms beforeher. She started violently and leaned against the tree forsupport. But the weakness was momentary, for she wiped the tearsfrom her eyes, and then turned to him so quietly that only herextreme pallor proved that she realized the import of her words."Mr. Ackland," she asked, "have you Mr. Munson's address?"It was his turn now to start, but he merely answered: "Yes.""Do--do you think he still cares for me?""Undoubtedly.""Since then you are so near a friend, will you write to him that Iwill try"--she turned away and would not look at him as, after amoment's hesitation, she concluded her sentence--"I will try tomake him as happy as I can.""Do you regret your course?" he asked with a slight tremor in hisvoice."I regret that I misled--that I wronged him beyond all words. I amwilling to make all the amends in my power.""Do you love him?"She now turned wholly away and shook her head."And yet you would marry him?""Yes, if he wished it, knowing all the truth.""Can you believe he would wish it?" he asked indignantly. "Can youbelieve that any man--""Then avenge him to your cruel soul's content," she exclaimedpassionately. "Tell him that I have no heart to give to him or toany one. Through no effort or fault of mine I overheard Mrs.Alston's words and yours. I know your design against me. Assuageyour friend's grief by assuring him of your entire success, ofwhich you are already so well aware. Tell him how you triumphedover an untaught, thoughtless girl who was impelled merely by thelove of power and excitement, as you are governed by ambition anda remorseless will. I did not know--I did not understand how cruelI was, although now that I do know I shall never forgive myself.But if you had the heart of a man you might have seen that youwere subjecting me to torture. I did not ask or expect that youshould care for me; but I had a right to hope for a littlekindness, a little manly and delicate consideration, a littlehealing sympathy for the almost mortal wound that you have made.But I now see that you have stood by and watched like a grandinquisitor. Tell your friend that you have transformed thethoughtless girl into a suffering woman. I cannot go to Brazil. Icannot face dangers that might bring rest. I must keep my place insociety--keep it too under a hundred observant and curious eyes.You have seen it all of late in this house; I was too wretched tocare. It was a part of my punishment, and I accepted it. I wouldnot be false again even in trying to conceal a secret which it islike death to a woman to reveal. I only craved one word ofkindness from you. Had I received it, I would have gone away insilence and suffered in silence. But your course and what I haveheard have made me reckless and despairing. You do not leave meeven the poor consolation of self-sacrifice. You are my stony-hearted fate. I wish you had left me to drown. Tell your friendthat I am more wretched than he ever can be, because I am a woman.Will he be satisfied?""He ought to be," was the low, husky reply."Are you proud of your triumph?""No, I am heartily ashamed of it; but I have kept a pledge thatwill probably cost me far more than it has you.""A pledge?""Yes, my pledge to make you suffer as far as possible as hesuffered."She put her hand to her side as if she had received a wound, andafter a moment said wearily and coldly:"Well, tell him that you succeeded, and be content;" and sheturned to leave him."Stay," he cried impetuously. "It is now your turn. Take yourrevenge.""My revenge?" she repeated in unfeigned astonishment."Yes, your revenge. I have loved you from the moment I hoped youhad a woman's heart, yes, and before--when I feared I might not beable to save your life. I know it now, though the very thought ofit enraged me then. I have watched and waited more to be sure thatyou had a woman's heart than for aught else, though a false senseof honor kept me true to my pledge. After I met you on the beach Idetermined at once to break my odious bond and place myself atyour mercy. You may refuse me in view of my course--you probablywill; but every one in that house there shall know that yourefused me, and your triumph shall be more complete than mine."She looked into his face with an expression of amazement anddoubt; but instead of coldness, there was now a devotion andpleading that she had never seen before.She was too confused and astounded, however, to comprehend hiswords immediately, nor could the impression of his hostility passaway readily."You are mocking me," she faltered, scarcely knowing what shesaid."I cannot blame you that you think me capable of mocking the noblecandor which has cost you so dear, as I can now understand. Icannot ask you to believe that I appreciate your heroic impulse ofself-sacrifice--your purpose to atone for wrong by inflictingirreparable wrong on yourself. It is natural that you should thinkof me only as an instrument of revenge with no more feeling thansome keen-edged weapon would have. This also is the inevitablepenalty of my course. When I speak of my love I cannot complain ifyou smile in bitter incredulity. But I have at least proved that Ihave a resolute will and that I keep my word; and I again assureyou that it shall be known this very night that you have refusedme, that I offered you my hand, that you already had my heart,where your image is enshrined with that of my mother, and that Ientreated you to be my wife. My cousin alone guessed my miserabletriumph; all shall know of yours."As he spoke with impassioned earnestness, the confusion passedfrom her mind. She felt the truth of his words; she knew that herambitious dream had been fulfilled, and that she had achieved theconquest of a man upon whom all others had smiled in vain. But howimmeasurably different were her emotions from those which she hadonce anticipated! Not her beauty, not her consummate skill infascination had wrought this miracle, but her woman's heart,awakened at last; and it thrilled with such unspeakable joy thatshe turned away to hide its reflex in her face. He was misled bythe act into believing that she could not forgive him, and yet wasperplexed when she murmured with a return of her old piquanthumor:"You are mistaken, Mr. Ackland; it shall never be known that Irefused you.""How can you prevent it?""If your words are sincere, you will submit to such terms as Ichoose to make.""I am sincere, and my actions shall prove it; but I shall permitno mistaken self-sacrifice on your part, nor any attempt to shieldme from the punishment I well deserve,"She suddenly turned upon him a radiant face in which he read hishappiness, and faltered:"Jack, I do believe you, although the change seems wrought by someheavenly magic. But it will take a long time to pay you up. I hopeto be your dear torment for a lifetime."He caught her in such a strong, impetuous embrace that she gasped:"I thought you were--cold to our sex.""It's not your sex that I am clasping, but you--you, my Eve. Likethe first man, I have won my bride under the green trees andbeneath the open sky.""Yes, Jack; and I give you my whole heart as truly as did thefirst woman when there was but one man in all the world. That ismy revenge."This is what Will Munson wrote some weeks later:"Well, Jack, I've had the yellow fever, and it was the mostfortunate event of my life. I was staying with a charming family,and they would not permit my removal to a hospital. One of mybravest and most devoted nurses has consented to become my wife. Ihope you punished that little wretch Eva Van Tyne as shedeserved.""Confound your fickle soul!" muttered Ackland. "I punished her asshe did not deserve; and I risked more than life in doing so. Ifher heart had not been as good as gold and as kind as Heaven shenever would have looked at me again."Ackland is quite as indifferent to the sex as ever, but Eva hasnever complained that he was cold to her.

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