Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1869-03-11

1
lord and master need desire. SO there
was triumph at his heart and bright
smile of triumph on his handsome face
AS he walked home along the lonely
country roads. alternately smoking and
humming scraps from Bcranger.
Mr.. Duplcs.is let himself into the
house by means Of his latch-key. and
went forward into the sittinr-room.
which was dimly lighted by few en-
bers in the CRATE. IIew quickly fol-
lowed by his housckeeper. sleepy and
half-dazed, carrying a couple OF light
ed candles.
You need not have sat up for me,
Benson, he said Il could have man
aged very well if you had LEFT matches
and candle ia the hall. Antoine
was away for brief holiday. having
gone 10 visit brother who had just
opened cafe in London. otherwise
Benson would have been in bed two
hours ago.
Who brought this letter. AMI when
did il come asked Mr. Duplessis sud
denly. a, he took up ingular-looking
document from the table.
Letter. sir Wha, letter. said the
housekeeper. i never put any letter
on the table. and not soul has called
since YOU went out this evening.
Then how the deuce did the letter
get here: II was certainly not ON the
table when went out
Mrs. Benson was quite unable to SAY
how the letter had got there. She did
not like TO contradict her master. but
she felt sure he must have put il there
himself before going out, and have for
gotten ii.
Mr.. Dupless>. with the unopened
letter in his hand, walked quickly
across the room To the French window
opposite the fireplace which gave ac-
cess 10 the lawn. He opened il with
turn of the handle. and il could have
been just n readily opened from Till
outside. 'ihi. window ought certa n
I ~ - 49, L~I.-I -, a...f- b.. .....i -,fh.-
sharply. .Asi,i-, thieves anl vAga-
bonds of every Kind can come and 60
as easily ~ can myself,
Mrs. Benson ioldci her arms necAls
over her chest. but said never WORT
in reply she iclt thc rcpgoof p ny 2
j., one.
Nj. Dnplc.sis went back 10 the fire.
and sinking into an easy-chair. placed
his glass in has eve. AMI proceeded To
examine the letter with SOFT OF bali-
contcmptuoGs curiosity. / hc paper
WAS course and dIngy. and the direo-
ton was in peculiar Grabbed hand,
which afforded no clue % thr sex o.
the writer II was folded In the old-
f. shioncd style, without an envelope /;
And il is actually fastened wttn a
wafer: muiierci Mr. Dup.c,,is to
himself. some begging-letter, sup
pose. from widow with sixteen yoIu :
children or from = poor but unfortu-
nate tralcsnan. requesting the loan q
small sum TO set him up ~ business
again to be- paid back with interest at
-dooms-iay. Bah. I'm sick of such
appeals and with FLIP Of his thumb
and finger. be- burst open the letter.
Benson hal been idgcting about
candles nearer her master, and raking
the few dying cmbers together: ansi
was Just turning 10 leave the room,
when Mr.. Duplcssis lcape,l from hi-
chair with n wild, inarticulatc cry, as
though he had been shot, and then
stood with one hand pressed to hi
head. staring at the open letter with
face "a colourl.ss as that of the
marble Aphrodite ON the cabinet close
by,
Are you i'll. sir: Can do anything
for yon.' cried the terrified house
keeper. advancing n step or two.
His lips moved in reply. but no sound
came from them but she understood
from the motion OF his arm that he
} wished 10 be alone: so she went out
but went no further the other end OF
the passage. and then stood listening
for what might happen next. In few
minutes the bell rang. She went in
timidly.
Mr.. Duplessis was seated in his easy
chair again the colour had in some
l
looked twenty years older than he had
done only a few minutes before. This
letter brings me very bad news. Ben
son, he said. speaking in a low. forced
voice. and without looking his house
keeper in the face. 1T tells me that
ms Only brother is dead
Indeed, sir am very sorry to heal
that" said Benson in q voice OF deeI
concern, remembering. however. at the
same time, that she had never heard
Mr.. Duplessis speak of such a relative
80 am l, Benson-vcry sorry III
: deed. There are certain business mat
tiers connected with this sad event
which render il imperatiyely necessar,
that should start for town by the frs
train. You will look after the lodg,
till Antoine returns /; and should ther,
be any inquiries for me, you may men
ton the mournful circumstance which
| has thus suddenly called me away, ant
, say that shall be back By Wednesda,
: next at the latest. find that mail
train passes the nearest station at TIVE
! o'clock, so that have no time to lose
, You will light the candles in my dress
] ing-room at once. and then make me
: cup Of strong coffee; you may as wei
: also put me up sandwich or two a
( quickly as you can"
s "Shall you want the horse got out
: sir, to take you TO the station
f ''No; shall have nothing to carr,
1 but my small travelling-bag; aud tn
e walk this fine night will refresh me-
Y Half an hour later, Mr.. Duplessi
| hado his honSnEaanar n Eindlv fa rowou