American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-08-24
Miscellany.
SAVED.

'.AlIss VIOLET, will you give this letter
to Mrs. Maltby?"
l had my hands full of drawing materi
ais, but received the letter and contin
ued on my way to Mrs. Maltby's drawing
room.
The drawings were little studies 1 had
made while down at the seaside, where
had spent my vacation (made for Mrs
Maltby, to whom l had been companion
for year,, and Mrs. Maltby had been in
terested in them, saying, Touch them
' up bit, Violet, and l will get portfolio
for them and keep them" l usually sat
with her in her dressing-room through
the mornings, and thither 1 now repaired
to touch up the drawings, while she sat
with her slippered feet on the fender, en-
woods.
l gave her the letter, and went to low
seat in the deep bay-window. 1 sharp
|ened pencil, and then happened to
glance toward my companion.
Her face was ashy white. Her profile
was turned toward me- In its Irregular
ty and pallor it looked like face cut in
stone. But had never seen it look go
sharp and deathly.
The letter was clenched in her hand.
pad brought her bad news.
l was shocked. but silent. I tried to
remember what knew of her family re-
atiOns. She was handsome, black
paired woman 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
pad been the mistress of Redburn ever
|ince- 1t was not long, however, since
per fathers decease. She had never had
child. She had no brothers or sisters
whom had ever heard Of could not
urmise what had happened.
l saw her burn the letter, and then she
bse and left the room.
Afterward l guessed whom that COM
hunicatiOn was from.
A week passed. They were quiet and
comfortable, but rather mOnOtonOus weeks
{ Redburn- But, though young, l was
ess restless than most girls. was not
Unhappy with Mrs. Maltby. Only some
mes l wished for little change
1t came-a most startling episode
We had company to dine-Mrs. Maltby's
hwyer and personal friend, from New
FORK. l was dressing her hair, as I
Ometimes did, for she liked my arrange
hents, pronouncing them artistic. Sud-
lenly, without knock or warning, the
loor was flung open, and a young man
walked in.
l felt Mrs. Naltby start under nv
bands. l myself was frightened, the in
ruder looked SO bold and reckless.
He was very handsome, but he looked
10 me to have been travelling long, or to
was soiled, his long, clustering hair I'M
brushed, his eyes bloodshot, yet his ap-
Pearance was singularly attractive. l
bad never before seen SO high-b bred and
graceful a man.
Mrs. Maltby did not speak to him. He
beated himself before, and not far from
Der, however.
GO on, Violet, she said"
Certainly. Let the young lady pro-
iced with her task" he said, quickly.
''What l have to say need not interfere
hat she is your companion and conf
ant, though have not had the pleasure
Pf meeting her before"
The last sentence appeared to have
been quite mechanically spoken, for he
lad fixed his eyes fiercely upon Mrs
klaltby's face, and seemed to see only her
went on pinning up the braids of her
hair as | had been bid, but my hands
rembled. could not see her face, but
hink she met that look steadily
''You refused me-" he said, in a far
ifferent tone from that in which he had
first spoken-low and concentrated.
Certainly" she answered
do you want my blood upon your
ead?" he exclaimed
II washed my hands clear of you long
$go," she answered, composedly.
"Long ago." he repeated, and a wave
Pf emotion that was inexplicable to me
vent over his face. Then he was silent.
don't know why, but from that moment
Pitied him.
! He got up and commenced walking the
)OOr.
q tell you, Winfred, I must have this
honey" he said 81 must have it to-
light, tonight" he repeated.
Mrs. Maltby was silent | caught a
ilimpse of her face Flint was not hard
LET me have it, Winfred," he said,
|ausing before her, land 1 promise you
shall be the last time"
She made no reply.
His voice faltered. She did not speak
"Will you -
mo" she replied, with no emotion
whatever
His face had been working with some
|trong, deep feeling. But that monosyl- |
bible seemed to strike him like blow.
Pc stood looking at her, his face stu and
desperate.
40 did not think God could make such
woman as you are" he said, at last.
l felt her shrink beneath the actual
orrOr with which he seemed to regard |
Ter. But she spoke with unalterable COM
|Osure
told you more than year ago that |
should pay no more debts of yours, |
pntracted at faro, or in any other way" |
pc said. 81 meant it; you know I !
Reant it. l have given you fair warning.
shall not change"
He did not speak his head was dropped |
pom his breast he was dcathly pale
al have done my duty by you, Guy, |
gu know that have,"- she added
Yes, You have been just, but you have |
over been merciful," he replied. ooh, |
|od ~ He flung up his arms with bit !
Er cry that wrung my heart
looked at her. She did not relent or /
b to him. He had flung himself into ii I
bair, and with his head dropped and |
Is arms folded upon the back, was the |
lost hopeless figure / had ever seen. She |
Ise, for | had finished her hair, and took /
seat nearer the fire. Her lips were gray,
if she were cold, but her face was still
inncxible as flint.
He gave groan, and started up sud
enly.
II am going" he said. d" He met |