A CORSICAN VENDETTA.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 293, 13 December 1887, Page 6

A CORSICAN VENDETTA.

By C. A. GUNTER,

The Successful American Playwright,

CHAPTER XII. (Continued.)

After play is over, for Enid canno be enticed away before, ami her admirer has a chance of a word with her—in fact is bid. cling her good-night afc the Grand Hotel— Barnes suddenly says, "Do you like gamb" lingi Miss Anstruthcr'.'"'

" 1 love it." cries the girl

" Then 1 advi.-c you to play no more.' , "And why not? l>o you fear I .shall squander my fortune and blow out; my brains like poor Yon Waldow, the German eludent? if I couldn't tosc care of my own there are trustees in England who grind me clown to my allowance.' . The remark about trustees is made with some bitterness. "Certainly not! Bub the excitement «aftect3 your' spirits ; you exult too much when you win, and despair too much when you lose." " Oil, then I made a vulgar display of my passions ':" "Not at all!" replies Barnes, keeping his temper, for he sees Enid has tost soma of hers. " You know Ido not mean to insinuate that; but to one who has known you R3 Ido " " Yes—three days !" He pays no attention to this remark. which Miss Anstruthev throws in with a sneering emphasis ; but goes on : '• You do not seeni exactly yourself. Remember, 1 speak to you as a friend !" "Of course! unpleasant advice always comes ttom/rhud" .'" A slight Interrogation can be marked in the lady's voice. '• Besides"--here Barnes becomes very earnest—" the society of the table is not exactly proper for a "young girl like yon. Did you notice the woman who sat next, you —the woman you spoke to ? Of course, you did not know her face. It was that of the infamous La Belle Blackwood !" Barnes has lost his head, and loft himself open for a tremendous return shot, and he gets it. "But yov -did! Yes, and bowed to her, too, when you were in my company. Do you suppose I would have spoken to the creature unless yoU had guaranteed //«' % your bow ?' " I 1" murmurs Barnes, who had not expected this view of his conduct. " Yes," cries the young ludy, who is now thoroughly angry and will give no quarter : "and you" know her address in Paris, and told it to the cattle scoundrel: and fibbed about it, in very shame, .saying you had read it in the ' Figaro, , when I looked over every line of that paper, and it wasn't there. Oh ! it is noble in you to reproach we with having brushed past her in a crowd." " Very well," says Barnes, who concluded that ho had better not discuss La Belle Blackwood any more that evening:. " Continue to play, but remember that I warn you, you will regret it before threo days." " Will I? Not so much as you will recrret insulting me." And planting this Parthean arrow in her worshipper's heart with a very savage glance in her eyes, Miss Anetruther rushes up the stairs and Hies to her room. As for Barnes, lie walks out into the moonlight, thinks it tho blackest night of the season, and .says, in a horrified way : "If 1 have lost her? She's nut an angel,

but 1 want; her more than all the nngelH fn Heaven. Then he. mutters to himself: " It' I don't win this battle she will despise me, and ' tho other one ' will get her! ; ' This seta him' tq , .deeply. He knows La Belle Blackwood too well not to know she will address Mis* Anstrubher ignin. She has fcbob eoH-nssertive diublery that loves to insult tin; world from which she is east out, and had made her infamy very famous by .several times fiuiiiahin" the Parisian journals with piquant little paragraphs in which her namo has been voupled with that of ladies of tho ymndmoiuie. Bamos makes up his mind tlmh by no lhaneo f-hnll this happen to the object of •)is devotion, so he walks off to the Hotel de Paris and sends yip his card to La Blackwood ; and, while waiting , that Aspaeia's tnswer, Bee? to his joy a miserable little French dandy come Biieakinjr downstairs md go oft into the darkness. I have a card •hat'll fix Madame la. Diablo now, lie re'locts, as he is shown to that lady's usurious apartments. La Blaekwood receives Barnes effusively. " Ah'! man cfier, ,, she pays, speaking between the puffs of a delieiously-ilavoured Russian cigarette, and half reclining in a languid feline manner in a sumptuous arm-chair, the blue satin of which is in admirable contrast to the delicate tint of her dress ; for she is in a masterpiece of Worth's, and looks as fresh as a violet after all her years of dissipation, "ilake yourself at home, my boy. Will yon have a glass of C'ftamertin, a cigarette, or both ?" "Neither, thank yon," replies the gentleman coolly. " Then take a chair. If you're not always thjrety you are always lazy." " Xot at present. I am here on business. Unpleasant business !" " You ! Business !" The lady opens her eyes in supieme surprise : " You never did any business before in your life." "Perhaps not, but I'm going to do a stroke to-night. You addressed this evening at the Casino a young English girl ?" "Ah! The one with whom you are so much in love ! I can see you have always good taste !" Your charmer is here— alone f This last question is put with such a leering insinuation that if Barnes had any thought of sparing the miserable creature one pang in the interview he throws it away. "No!" he replies. "Had she been of yonr kind I should have nothing to say to yon on the matter. She is under tbe charge of Lady Chartris ; and you dared, to speak to her publicly this evening." "And why not, if I oai-ed to 5" "Because your addressing her/was an impertinence!" "Was itr says the lady, yawning politely in Mr Barnen's face; " then I shall be impertinent again tomorrow !" "Excuse me, you will not!" " And why not, nion cher ?" " Because yon are going to leave Monaco fco-morrow, morning before Miss Anstruther gets up." "And what makes you, think that, imbecile?" says La Blaekwood, who is beginning to get angry, though she likes Barnes in a general sort of way. "Because I am going to compel you to leave." "You? You are impertinently funny. Tell me how, j'ou idiot!" • "Because, if you don't, I shall tell Pvuggles that M. de Cravasse is here, and it won't take him long to find out who that gentleman is." "So you would betray me? she answers, for the cattle king's millions are at present an object to her. " But I shall not go, all the same. I love money a great deal, but I'll risk a break wifch-M. Ruggles to make you, unhappy, you miserable canailkola canaille nation !" and she lashes herself into a fury, and callg, Barnes and his —and her country too, for that matter — come very unpleasant names, for La Blackwood has the. temper of,a.fiend when.slioallows herself theluxury of giving it* on. outing, which is pretty often, Mr Barnes, stands, before her and takes her invective, in. silence, but with a vei-y Ugly look-on Mβ fyce \ for he has flayed hw

card and lost. He had supposed the woman loved money more than all else, and ho now finds she likes her wickedness even better. Seeing he makes no move to go, she finishes in these words : "You come to me, a priestess of vice, and prate of virtue ; you who call yourself a man of the world, which means the .same as harlot in woman ! lon wish to shield your innocent miss; who is innocent because she is not old enough to have learnt vice ; and to protect her dainty exclusivouese, you insult me ! Fool ! you know f. always keep my word ; and I .swear to you if she comes to the Casino to-morrow I ivill Idas her ■lips—and if she resents it, which has the most to lose by scandal, your immaculate angel or ' La Belie Blackwood V And now, the door !" giving him an invitation to go with a very impressive gesture of the hand. Barnes knows the woman will keep her word. To prevent Enid's going into the Casino involves an explanation that, in all probability may 00.-i, him-what be dares not contemplate ; for ho knows tho haughty pride of Miss Anstruthor. He almost staggers from the room. But aw he goes out La Blackwood gives him a burst ot: mocking laughter, and cries after him, " My kiss won't hurt your baby; I was innocent myself once. A Hash of thought, and Mr Barnes comes back into her presence, and says shortly and in a hoarse voice, for ho is very desperate now, and will spare no man or woman to save tho girl lie loves from any scandal or annoyance : " Do you know a man named John Marshall Spotts, of Oresline, Ohio f

She gives a gasp ! . "Do you know ti woman named Martha Strowbridge Spotts of the .same place."

"My God!" " Within two weeks from this time there will be placed in their hands a portrait of you : a description of you, and your life and career taken from the Paris journals. Also a remark about that little scar upon the back of your fair neck. Yes, that one you put your hand to- the one you wear the lace to hide. I »o you think they will know ' La Belle Black wood'then?" "Oh, God! My mother! They think me dead! It will kill her!" And this woman who has fought her tight in all her pride of folly and wickedness, falls on the floor, and writhes and grovels at his feet, crying between her panting aobs, "Have mercy ! Have mercy !" " Then leave Monaco before nine 0 clock to-morrow morning, or you know 1 will keep my word !" Barnes leaves the miserable woman, confident that he has won his battle, and going to the hotel mutters a prayer—the first he !ias uttered for years— "That lie may win his idol yet!" which, being of a practical mind, becomes very like a petition to Providence that Miss Anstruther may have an awful run of bad luck at the roulette tables, and so be brought to bow down to him and acknowledge him as her guardian angel price more. An event that is very likely to happen.

CHAPTER XII r.

BORHOW IT FUOM IUKSES.

The next morning Mr Barnes, who rises earlier than is his usual habit, strolls over to the Hotel do Paris and inquires for L:i Blackwood. Ho id informed by the clerk, with n .shrug of his French shoulders, that Madame has Cone. "Sho complained of

malaria ; malaria in Riviera

"AndM. Ruffglos?' "He has followed aftor her. Ho was

very angry : ho won swearing.' Barnes wondora whether the proprietor, who has a kindly greeting for him, would look upon him with so much complacency it ho knew that i< wan to his kind olhees he owed tlic loss of two of his most extravagant guests*. Ho goes over to fcho Grand Hotel and sees Enid and Marina vonio down to breakfast once inovo together; the two young ladies having discovered, perhajw, that they arc an excellent contrast : one dark and grand, the other fair and graceful. Mies Anstruther appears a picture of vivacious tenderness lv all in tlio party, save Barnes ; ehc Hguratively tickles Lady Chartris'e fat sides by one or two little km vict* from the Parisian newspapers, and compliments Maud on ft new dress, till that practical and outspoken infant gays mispicionnly : •" What do you want mo to do for you, Enid? You can't bribe me with words; I'm not Sir Barnes. Why haven't you spoken to him ? he's been looking at you for iivo minutes !" Thus compelled, Miaa Anstruthor says " <Jood morning !' to the object of her displeasure, in a frozen voice and with a glacial glance ; then, not waiting for his reply, rushes into an animated conversation with Marina that laste through breakfast, trying to show how excitedly happy she is : and in this being easily distanced by the beautiful Corsiean ; tlie real article beating the sham, as for some mysterious reason Marina is to-day a creature of joy. Barnes imagines it is because Enid makes her feel Edwin is near her. They have hardly finished the meal when old Tomnsso enters, and, with respectful reverence, announces to Iris mistress: "Signorita, the carriage for you is at the door ! :, At this both the young ladies go to their rooms for their hats, some expedition apparently being in their plans for the day. Mr Barnes walks out and posts himself by the carriage, determined to see if Miss Anstruther will stick to the lino she has taken through breakfast with him. Marina comes down first, arul as he places her in the landau, she gives him a little squeeze of the hand and says: "Thanks, Mr Barney, for your pleasant acquaintance ; you have made my life, that was lonely here, very happy. But what have you done to Enid ? She is extremely angry with you 1" Reply ie here interrupted by Miss Anstruther, who coldly accepts Mr Barnes's assistance to 3tep into the carriage ; but her manner indicates that it is under protest, and instead of thanks she gave him a very ugly flash of her eyes. Marina, apparently anxious to palliate her companion's coldness of manner, says : " We are going for a little drive towards Mentone, would you •. —" Hero she pauses with a little gasp of pain, for Enid has given her a cruel pinch, and before she can complete the intended invitation Miss Anstruthor remarks cuttingly: " We would ask you to join us, but fear to take you from your other lady friends." With that the carriage drives off, old Tomasso sitting gravely on the box beside the driver, and the two girls engaged in a feminine dispute about something. " I don't envy poor Marina her ride with my angel this'morning. What a fiendish pinch she gave her to cutoff my invitation," thinks the American. "I suppose other lady friends means La Belle Blackwood. What a cursed dull place Monaco is !" and he gives a sigh and a longing look at the carriage that is just getting out of eight. Then goea in to do the agreeable to Lady Chartris and family: bufc making very poor york of this, he wanders off to the Casino, where he meets some men from New York, who have come there in a yacht; and they have a very wild day of it, though, perhaps not a merry one for poor Barnes. The two young ladies came back from their drive, better friends if possible than before, and soon go arm in arm to the Casino, where Miss,Anetrutlier rather shocks her companion by the desperate manner of her play; wins an amount of money that astonishes her, and conies back to dinner with, a reckless triumph on her face that makes it look very beautiful and rather naughty. Mr Barnes being present, she displays her luck by giving Miss Maud Chartris a couple of twenty-franc pieces for a present, and telling that infant prodigy of hey wonderful forfcuno and the great profits

of her play, until Maud's eyes grow very large with greed of gain and lust to v.m herself. And Enid has raised up a spirit in the little girl that ultimately turns upon and rends her, and strikes her to the earth upon a later day—for she has made that juvenile prodigy crazy to gamble. After bolting her meal in an eager sort ot way—for she is anxious to get back_ to her occupation again, and has a vague idea ot winning some fabulous sum and Haunting tho gold in Mr Barnes's? face, to show him how wise she w and how foolish Me wa-i-~ Miss Amsbruthcr seizes upon Manna again and drags her off to tho roulette tables, attended by old Tomastso. _ It is night; the lights, the surging crowd of people, the music from the fur-ofi band -all excite this wild young lady, and she play* with a feverish energy that, alarms Marina, who cautious her, and gets snubbed tor her advice. The luck, after one or two Itl.tlo Hnetuations, settles against her. and Miss Anstrul,her goes home m a very angry mood againbt fate, and tho world, mid Mr Lames. Consequently that gentleman the next morning fets a genuine astonishment: not irom Enid, but from Mademoiselle Paoli. Ho doesn't see Miss Austiiifchor—she has a headache: but Marina greets him at breakfast with marked coolness ; and a tew minutes after, happening to eeo him alone in the hall-way, this peculiar young Cprsican comes to him, a great flash of anger in her eyes, and Kays sharply : " A word with you, Signor Barnes." '"'A hundred, if you arc kind enough to talk to me, Mademoiselle Paoli." Hero lie stops and looks at her in astonishment, for her great brown Spanish eyes are like coals of fire.

She doesn't keep him long in suspense, or beat about for any delicate expression, for she opens in these astounding words: " What makes you such a villain :" "I?—a. villain ?" stammers Barnes, who isn't quite sure he understands her. " Yes ; a villain ! Whut have you been doing to Enid V" "IV Nothing." "That ie not true. Why did sho treat you coldly yesterday ?" " Why, really— " "Ah ! you dare not answer. And what did you do to her last evening ':"

"I? Nothing. I didn't see her." "Impossible! Last night wo returned from the Casino ; she was in feverish spirits. Half an hour afterwards I chanced to puss her room. Love hus sharp ears; antl I caught a sound of suffering. At first she refused to admit mo : but I told her 1 would break down the door, and then 1 found her in tears. She passed half the night sobbing in my arms. I took the place that should have been occupied by you." " Y es — aH) of course, I should have been delighted to have boen there, ' murmurs Barnes, who wonders which of them is an idiot.

" And yet she said you had insulted her. You have led her on to love you, and now you are breaking her heart." •' I'm delighted to hear that," Hays Barnes in rapture. "Ah ! And you glory in it! But rcmembor that I lovo Enid, and that if you play with her heart you shall answer to me, Marina Paoli." She leaves Barnes, but turning nt the head of the stairs sho hears a succession of ehrill sounds, and then mutters to herself: "The heartless one; destroying Enid's happiness and whistling joyously over it." For this communication gives Barnes as much delight as it would havo given Mies Anstruther chagrin if sho had .known that ho received it. Ho murmurs to himself: " Tho roulotto tobies are playing my game for me with a vengeance breaking her heart. My darling !" and he goes about whistling tho meniest airs of the merriest French operas, even enduring with wonderful mng-h'oid a fearful stab with the eyes that Enid gives him when she makes her api>eaiance an how or no afterwards.

(To be Continued.)