The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-01-07
my elbow, and with Miss Jane Ann stamper on

H up
you know he resumed. turning back again
to Rachel, that IL was part Of your mother
ine nature always to see the best Of the people
about her, and never the worst She named
her brother-in-law your guardian because she
believed in him, and because she thought II
would please her sister. hsd never liked Mr..
Ablewhite myself. and I induced your mother
10 let me insert clause In the will, empowering
her executors, In certain events, TO consult with
me about the appointment Of new guardian:
One Of those events has happened to-day; and
I had myself in position to end all those dry
business details, hope agreeably. with mes-
sage from my wife. Win you honor Mrs.
remain under my roof, and be one Of my fam
ily, until we wise people have laid our heads
together, and have settled what Is TO be done
ne1tl'
AT those woris I rose to interfere. Mr..
Drud had done exactly what had dreaded he
would do, when he asked Mrs. Ablewhite for
Rachel's bonnet and shawl.
Before could interpose word Rachel had
accepted his invitation in the warnest terms.
If | suffered the arrangement thus made be-
tween them TO be carried out-if she once pass
ed the threshold Of Mr.. Bruf's door-farewell
TO the fondest hope OF my life, the hope of
bringing my lost sheep back TO the fold The
bare idea Of such 4 calamity rs this quite over
whelmed me. cast the miserable trammels Of
worldly discretion tn the winds, and spoke with
the feryor that filed me, in the words that came
frst.
stop = said-'stopr must he heard.
Mr.. Druf you are not related to her, and
am. Invite her-I summon the executors to
Ill hal
offer you my modest home; come TO London
by the next train. love. and share II with me y
Mr.. Bruff said nothing. Rachel looked ut
me with cruel establishment which she made
no effort 10 conceal.
you are very kind, Drusilla,' she said. i
shall hope to visit you whenever happen TO be
invitation, and think ii will be best, for the
present, IL I remain under Mr.. Bruf s care
ooh, don't say so!' pleaded. Il can't part
with you Rachel can't part with you =
triel 10 fold her in my arms. But she
drew back. Ny feryor did not communicate
itself; il only alarmed her.
Surely she said. 'this Is q very unnecessary
display Of agitationl | don't understand it,
No more do L. said Mr.. Bruh.
Their harlness-their hideous, worldly hari-
ness--reyolted me.
'Oh, Rachel Rachel = burst out. Haven't
you sem yet. that my heart yearns TO make n
Christian Of your Has no inner voice told you
that am trying to do for you. what was try
ing 10 do for your dear mother when death
snatched her out Of my hands"
Rachel advanced step nearer, and looked at
me very strangely.
Il don't understand your reference TO my
mOther.' she said. Miss Clack, will you have
the gocdness 10 explain yOurself!'
Before | could answer Mr.. Bruf came for
ward. and, offering his arm to Rachel, tried to
lead her out Of the RON.
'You had better not pursue the subject, my
dear he said. .And Miss Claek had better not
explain herself
II I had been q stock or stone. such an in
reference as this must have reused me into tes-
tifyiug TO the truth. Iput Mr.. Bruf aside in
dienantly with my own hand, and, in solemn
and suitable language, stated the view with
which found doctrine does not scruple to regard
the awful calamity Of dying unprepared.
Rachel started back from mel blush to write
it--yith scrvam Of horror.
'Come away = she said to Mr.. Bruf. Come
away, for Gods sake, before that woman can say
any more Oh, think Of my poor mother't harm-
less, useful, beautiful life You were at the fu-
neral, Mr.. Bruif you saw how everybody loved
her you say the poo- helpless people crying al
her grave over the loss Of their best friend. And
that wretch stands there and tries to make me
doubt that my mother, who was an angel on
earth, Is an angel in heaven now Don't STOP
10 talk about Il Come away II stiles me tC
breathe the same air with her II frishtens me
TO feel that we are in the same room together
Deaf 10 all remonstrance, she ran TO the door.
| AT the same moment her maid entered with
! her bonnet and shawl. She huldlcd them on any
how. Pack my things she said, 'and bring
them to Mr.. Bruf's.' attemped to approach
her-I was shocked and grievel, but, 1t is need
less TO say, not offended. l only wished to say
TO her, May your hard heart be softened
freely forgive you = She pulled down her veil
and tore her shawl away from my hand, and
I hurrying out, shut the door in my face. bort
the insult with my customary fortitude. l re
memberit now with my customary superiority to
all feelings Of ofense.
! Mr.. Bruf hal his parting word Of mockery
for me. before he too hurried out, in his turn.
You had better not have explained yourself
Miss Clack,' he said, and bowel, and icft thu
room.
The person with the cap-ribbons followed.
| It's easy Ia see who has set them all by the
carr together,' she said. I'm only poor ser
vant-but declare Pm ashamed OF you !" She
too went out, and banged the door after her.
Twas left alone in the room. Reyiled by them
all, deserted by them all. was left alone in the
room.