The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-04-26
Miscellaneous.
VIOLET.

"NIiss Violet, will you give this letter
to Mrs. Maltby?"
| had my hands full of drawing mat
erials, but received the letter, and con-
tinued on my way to Mrs. Maltby's
dressing room.
The drawings were little studies had
made while down at the seaside, where
had spent my vacation, made for Mrs
Maltby-to whom 1 had been compan-
ion for q year-and Mrs. Maltby had
been interested in them, saying: "Touch
them up bit, Violet, and l will get a
portfolio for them and keep them" I
usually sat with her in her dressing
room through the morning. and thither
now repaired to touch up the draw
ings.
1 gave her the letter, and went to a
low seat in the deep bay-window. |
sharpened pencil, and then happened
to glance toward my companion.
Her face was ashy white. The letter
was clenched in her hand. / had
brought nef Dau news.
1 was shocked, but silent. l tried to
remember what / knew of her family
relations. She was handsome, black
haired women of fifty, who had been
early widowed, and returned to her
fathers house. Her parents were dead.
Her mother had died in her infancy,
and she had been the mistress of Red
burn ever since. 1t was not long, how
ever, since her fathers decease. She had
never had a child. She had no brothers
or sisters whom 1 had ever heard of.
l saw her burn the letter, and then
she rose and left the room.
A week passed They were quiet and
comfortable, but rather monotonous
weeks at Redburn.
dressing her hair, as 1 sometimes did.
Suddenly, without knocking or warn
ing, the door was flung open, and a
young man walked in.
I felt Mrs. Maltby start under my
hands. 1, myself, was frightened, the
intruder looked 50 bold and reckless.
lie was very handsome, but he look
ed to me to have been travelling long,
or to have come out of some revel.
Mrs. Maltby did not speak to him. He
seated himself before, and not far from
her, however.
"Go on, Violet" she said.
"Certainly. Let the young lady pro.
ceed with her task" he said. "What I
have to say need not interfere with her
employment. 1 understand that she is
your companion and confdante, though
| have not had the pleasure of meeting
her before.
"You refused me-" he said, in a far
different tone from that in which he
had first spoken.
"Certainly," she answered.
"Do you want my blood upon your
head ?" he exclaimed.
81 washed my hands clear of you long
ago." she answered, composedly.
He got up, and commenced walking
the floor.
81 tell you, Winfred, must have
this money!" he said. 81 must have it
and to night"
Mrs. Maltby was silent. / caught q
glimpse of her face. Flint was not har.
der.
"Let me have it, Winfred," he said
pausing before her; "and / promise il
shall be the last time"
She made no reply.
"The last time. / mean it, Winfred
His voice faltered. She did not speak
"Will you ?'
"No," she replied, with no emotion
81 told you, more than year ago, tina
/ should pay no more debts of yours.
meant it; you knew that meant 1t.
have given you fair warning. 1 shall
not change. l have done my duty by
you, Guy-you know that have"
eyes, you have been just-but yol
have never been merciful," he replied
ooh, Cod" He flung up his arms will
bitter cry, that wrung my heart.
/ looked at her. No, she did not re
lent or go to him. lie had flung him
self into a chair, and with his hea,
dropped, his arms folded upon the back
was the most hopeless figure / had eve
seen.
He gave agroan, and started up sud
denly. He remained but momen
longer. Wrapping his cloak about him
he gave her one look of reproach, an
left the room. looked wistfully al hel
she did not speak to me, and |, too
went away.
She was i'll the next day, but on tn
day following she appeared much {
usual.