Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-02-28
From Household Words
The Sisters.
CHAPTER Ill.


kind but cold, Minnie thought. Indeed, Hill
dred did not dare to be tender-she could not
afford it: she needed all her strength only to keep
firm, resolute. Her face looked like sculptured
marble in its fxedness; but her eyes cleaned
strangely. Miles face changed every moment
rs she told Hildred all that had passed between
herself and Mr.. Lyneward the night before
1t still blew and raned
Did Mile expect Mr.. Lyncward that morn
ing? Hildred asked When Mile answered
perhaps he would not come, as the weather
was so bad, Hidred smiled scornfuly; think
ing how much better she knew him, and that
the wild weather was one sure induccment to
bring him out. She followed up her question
by asking Milie where he lived about what time
he generally came, and whether walking or ri
ding! Then she took up her station at the win
dow which overlooked the road, and sat there
Mile was unhappy; she was sure Hidred
was ILL., thought she was angry, or sorry, too
All sorts OF niseries entered into the little head
bent down assiduously over some work
Hildred (who never slammed except to gain
some great end) made no pretence of reading
or working, bvt sat idle; leaning back in the
great chair Millie had made her take, her cold
hands lying listlessly on her lap, her eyes gilt
tering, and watching At last she saw Erie
Lyneward, coming: he was long way off, but
she knew him. s. st-l
She turned her rigid face round TO Mile, and
said, 21l.,. ~
"Milie. your lover is coming-I want 10
speak to him alone. Go into the study for a lit
tic; there is q fire there. You are not afraid, :"
she added seeing that Mile fingered, mot
afraid that shall steal him from your
1t did not occur TO Mile, TO wonder how it
was that Hildred knew him.
-"Not afraid of thatr' Mile said; and she came
to Hildred's side, khet beside her, twining her
arms round Der waist, and looked up beseech-
ingly into her sisters dark eyes; but Hildred
knew that Mr.. Lyneward was almost at the
house-door She felt desperate; rose, and half
led, half carried Mile from the room. When
she had her safe in the study, she kissed her.
not tenderly,ibut fiercely-and went away, leav
ing Mile full of fearful wonder.
She got back into the drawing room before
Mr.. Lydeward had entered the house. She
stood awaiting him. her face turned from the
light She heard him stride across the hail.
He had opened the door-was in the room, he
stood still. HIS face grew bewiidercd and deep
ly troubled, as he looked at her. She spoke
first CoidIy greeting him, she pointed to the
chair he was TO take, opposite to her He obey
ed her stately gesture, and she cendescended to
explain:
Il am Miles sister, Mr.. Lyneward. You are
surprised to see me herel'' t-
Miss vyncrn-Hiidred vynern!" he said,
perplexedly. W
~ have cast off that name-my aunt made
me adopt it, / have left her. am Hildrcd
Grey. I hear" she went on steadily, shat you
are my sisters accepted lover. i am her elder
sister and selfconstituted guardian
Mildred Vyrern, Miles sister,"
Even so. What do you find so strange in
that7n Hikdred asked.
Much" Mr.. Lyneward replied, proudly
as i. not very strange that my Miilic-sweet
loving, Mile Grey-should have so ungen:le
and naughty woman for sster?"
hat &c 1raI S,,l
scornfuly: "Yet not stranger than-but will
not detain you. j merely wished to see you
alone, that you might be prepared-that, before
Mliic, you might not show surprise ut seeing
me. She does not know that VIC have ever met
before"
You arc kind, Miss Nyncrn-considaratc.
But think you have taken an unnecessary
precauton. i have n great deal OF selt-cJm-
mand,' Mr.. Lvnewarl said.
lIildrcd bit her lip, aud an angry flush cross
ed her face; but she said, coldly: Il acted only
for Miles sake. | have no more 10 say"
She rose, and 50 did Mr. Lyneward; but, in
stead of letting her 60 as she Lad intended, he
STOPPED her, laid his hand upon her arm, and
cast hagrard look into her face. She noticed,
then, how many OF the lines about that face had
dcepened since she had last seen him. Feeling
as if her heart would break, she shook off his
hantl-indeed. she could not bear it there; it
seemed 10 burn her TO the bone-and proudly
returned his gaze
He resented her naughty gesture, ana spoke
with voice thick with passion:
IL owe it to myself to say that l will not be
scorned by any man or woman-you, least OF
all. Mildred Nynern, your pride has blinded
you; You have dashed back the love of the only
man who ever did or will love you worthily.-
You dared confound me with The rest: dared to
believe paid my homage TO your expected fol-
tune. Had you not been utterly blind, you
might have seen that could not be- Would
Mrs. Vynern had given you one penny If you
had married me-a Lynewardl Did she not
hate mel Didn't l know she hated mc' l
condescendcd to cntreat, to explain, to offer you
my love a second time, because / thought your
heart rich, great treasure. Twas wrong, 1t
is dross; it is eaten up with pride. GU lett I'M
answered that last letter wrote you-rid!cu!ed
ME and it.
That is SANDER only She stopped, re-
Numbering that must not he sad-"I received
it only two days ago." she had been about to
lie did not heed; but went on: "And you
think me light and tickle and smile contemp-
tuously at my former prctens ions TO yourself,
will keep my Miles name holy-wil no;
speak of her now, save 10 say, that only when
she was alone, friendless, poor; and when had
learnt how incapable you were ottruly LOVING,
did first think of making her my wife.
when found she loved me, he might have
said
Hllred did not speak She stood opposite
to him, erect, her marble white hands dropped
among the folds of her black dress; her dark eyes
dilated-he thought-with pride and anger
The wild longing fher heart was 70 throw her
self at his feet, say once that she loved him. and
die Bet Mlliel She kept firm HIS next
words sounded almost like curse:
Mildred, as you are a women, one day you
will love, and then YOU viii suffer--O Heaven!
how fercely! Only one right worthy love comes
TO the lfe-portion of any man or woman. You
have rejected that. When you suffer, remember
mc!''
He moved towards the door Possessed by a
vague idea that they could not part thus-even
for Miles sake-Hildred said:
Mr.. Lyneward, YOU speak harshly-only for
Miles ke',-He started at the tenderness
with which those naughty lips uttered those
three words-''for Miles sake we must try
to be-frieuds You have made me respect you.
Some day, perhaps, You may respect me.
She offered him her hand, but he would not
take IT,
And 1filie?" she said as he was going
Had he forgotten Miilie' He stopped, and then
said hastily:
Il cannot see her now. Tell her-anything
Won please I am not fit for her innocent, eyes
to look upon There is something black, fierce
and wild in my heart-ha:e. perhaps 1resf
He was gone. She turned 10 the window
and watched him, sure that he would not look
round: he did not What should she do