Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-03-31

The maid elevated both her hands in the
air.
'Oh, my lady, not to-pight-and the frost
IN the air, and the park as dark az Egypt, Sir
Roy would be very much vexed, my lady."
Lady Fairfax passed out of the dressing
room into the drawing-rooms, where the air
was filed with summer warmth-and the per-
fume OF nevly-cut roses and helitrope, which
filed the vases on mantel and bracket while
the waxed lights shone softly along the walls.
A low. clear fire burned in the CRATE, and
Lady Fairfax stoodsh instant, gazing into its
red embers.
81 wish Roy would come" she murmured
"Gri1iths," to the old butler, who at that mo-
ment made his appearance to. light the cor
rldor, lis the drawing room clock right?''
''My lady, it is eight o'elock-will it please
your ladyship to have dinner seryed7 / think
nay master must have been unexpectedly de-
tanned.
81 will wait for Sir Roy"
Lady Fairfax's tone was so decisive that
Grffiths left the remonstrance he was pre-
pared to hazard entirely unspoken, and re-
tired with an obsequious-
"As YOU please. my ladyln
Left TO herself, Lady Fairfax took up
book and began to read, but her thoughts
wandered away from the printed pages, and
che found it impossible to govern her atten-
ton.
Half an hour afterward Wharton came in
with little tray, containing 4 few choice
morsels, which she had carefully cuIled out
with special eye to her mistress tastes.
81 told you | would await Sir Roy's CON-
ing, Wharton said Lady Fairfax, somewhat
sharply.
Yes, my lady-and to be sure he can't be
long IN coming now; but ii isn't we'll for you
to be go long without eating. Try a bit of
the broiled birds wing, my lady, and drop
of soup, and then you can have your dinner
with Sir Roy afterwards, just the same"
adj FL rOr.ld ho1y, Sal,o
took the Wineglass from Mrs. WhartOn's
hand, and slipped little of the crimson
fluid.
you all treat me like child, Wharton, {"
she said, "that must be coaxed and humored
into obedience"
ton defereniially, "but any one will tell you
that long fss. inst rovays good for the
stomach, and ii Sir Roy should be detained
away sll night"
''He will not be-" said his wife, positively.
''No. my lady to be sure not, but then
| there's no telling nothing about hours when
it's business that's IN the question, and Sir
Roy III be all the better pleased when he
hears you've eaten morsel, my lady,"
And Lady Fairfax, accustomed to be domi-
Aeered over in mild way by Wharton, ate
and drank, with docile obedience to orders.
The clock struck nine, as Wharton was re-
placing the dishes Of painted china on the
tray, preparatory to removing them-aud,
breaking suddenly and sharply on the silvery
chime of the little bell. another sound made
Lady Fairfax start to her feet, with white
face, and clasped hands-the report of q
gun!
''Wharton, she cried, ''what i. that =? what
can have happened?'
''Dear me, my lady," answered Wharton,
philosophically, 'Its nothing on earth but
them wearying poachers again. / don't know
what Morrison Is about, not to keep sharper
eve on 'eml"
Lady Fairfax went to the window and
strained her eyes over the moonlit slopes OF
the lawn.
cts no use lookin', nv lady," said whar-
ton, 'they're down IN the woods, and you
can't see a thing. Sir Roy will be dreadfnlly
put out when he knows the old business is
Goin' on again. / don't see the use of paying
a lot of gsme-keepers, for my part, If they
don't do no good!"
And Wharton carried her tray out again
after she had seen her n stress safely seated
once more in the cushioned chair BY
the coIsl-red shine OF the fire.
"Bless and save my SOUL" calculated Mre.
Wharton rs che opened the door, and 3 little
Scotch terrier rushed in; cite Sir Roy's little
Fido. And what can have sent him back here,
without his master? Here, Fido, Fido-what's
come to the animalY'
his usual Jealous delight, the dog skuiked
past her, with a low howl, and ran down
stairs
''Well, never ~ cried Mrs. Wharton.
She was advancing to close the door, when
white figure glided out Of the dark obscure
ty OF a cluster of weeping frs, and stood
shivering in the square of moonlight on the
stone paw Jment, directly in front of the door
way.
"Why, it's Mary Owensonl ~ cried Mrs.
Wharton, recognizing the pale, drawn face OF
the ew-made widow. "And whatever brings
xf, -
in-you're as cold "a ice, and you tremble like
a leaf And-bless me u cried Hrs. Wharton.
recolling with a shudder, "your hands and
your dress are smesred with blood Them
pOaching fellows haint hurt you, have they
or did YOU slip down on the ice Speak,
child, can't you, and tell me what happened
you ~
Mary Owenson stared vaguely at Mrs.
Wharton. as if she were looking into space.
Nothing has happened" she answered,
speaking in strange, unnatural voice. 1T
was Gods justice-and was only the tool IN
His hands"
''For merc-'s sake, what are you talking
about 2" shrilly demanded Mrs. Wharton.
'Do come in. and don't stand like q luny-
though, to be sure" added Mrs. Wharton,
bali to herself, 81 hadn't ought to be cross
with her, and she bali frantic, as one may
say, with her trouble"
Mary Ovenson made no opposition to the
gentle force with which Mrs. Wharton drew
her in = but as she entsred the lighted hall,
she looked down st her crimsoned fingers
and bedsbbled dress with a shudder.
''Bloodi" she muttercd vacantiy, ''blood
It's as 1t should be--blood for blood! No."
as Mrs. Wharton vas leading her toward the
door of the servs nt's hall, 81 won't go in for
all the people to stare at me, and ssk me
questions, and whisper among themselves, as
If was mad. think L be going mad" she
added in a half whisper, which chilled the
- 1.vf- L.
be stared at Not yet, at leasti'
''Then come into my rOom-that's good
creature coaxed Mrs. Wharton.
"Who are you ?" demanded Mary, looking
at her with vacant gaze. 'Oh, remember
now-snd remember why came. / wanted
cross, you know-theyll find it on his fore
headl'
''whose forehead?" exclaimed Mrs whar-
ton, fairly nazsd and bewildered. who'll
find it? Mary Owenson, you are crazy, sure
enough"
The poor young thing nodded her head.
81 know ii, !" she said; ''but it was that drove
me madl | had all my senses until he came
riding down the hill, as gay and gallant as il
a mans life wasn't on His soul Well well, |
It's evenhanded justice, after all-they can't
complaint"
81 believe" thought Mrs. Wharton, ''the |
poacbers have frightened her out of the little !
Just make her as comfortable as can, and |
tomorrow her folks III come and fetch her |
homeI''
She drew forward q chair for Mary Owen |
son, and had turned TO go for some warming |
and stimulating draught to the servants hall, |
when the sound of hurried footsteps and |
many voices in the great vestibule beyond, |
her attention.
Lady Fairfax had heard the unaccustomed |
tumult and confusion, also, breaking in upon |
the quiet thread of her thoughts. She sat an |
instant listening, with her heart beating |
somewhat faster than its ordinary wont, and |
then rose to her feet, and was hurrying to the |
door, when it flew suddenly open, and Mrs. |
Wharton rushed In, with face as white as |
her apron.
Lady Fairfax stopped short, at the sight OF
that death-pale face,
"Wbarton," she cried, "what has happen
ed I? Why do you look so psle2"
''Nothing, my lady-nothing," gasped the |
maid, painting for breath, and striving to force
the semblance of an unconcerned smile to
her lips, "Only IL you would please to go
back"
''What fort" Lady Fairfax looked at whar-