New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-08-29
SAVED.


SAVED.
''Miss Violet, will You give this letter to
Mrs. Maltby?" s
had my hands full of drawing materials,
but received the letter, and continued on
nv way to Mrs. Maltby's dressing-room.
The drawings were little studies had made
while down at the seaside, where had spent
nv vacation, made for Mrs. Maltby-to whom
had been companion for a year-and Mrs.
Maltby had been interested in them, saying,
"Touch them up bit, Violet, and will get
portfolio for them and keep them" Iusu-
ally 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
slppered feet on the fender, embroidering
with purple and crimson woods.
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. Her profile was
turned toward me. In its regularity and pal
lor it looked like face cut in stone. But 1
had never seen it look so sharp and deathly.
The letter was clutched in her hand. /
had brought her bad news.
I was shocked but silent. L tried to re-
member what knew of her family relations.
She was handsome, black-haired woman of
fifty, who had been early widowed, and re-
turned to her fathers house, Her parents
were dead. Her mother had died in her in
fancy, and she had been the mistress of Red
burn ever since. 1t was not long, however,
since her fathers decease. She had never
had a child. She had no brothers or sisters
whom / had ever heard of. could not sur
mise what had happened.
/ saw her burn the letter, and then she rose
and left the room.
Afterward guessed whom that commune
cation was from.
A week passed. They were quiet and
comfortable, but rather monotonous weeks at
Redbun. But, though young, was less
restless than most girls. 1 was not unhappy
with Mrs. Maltby. Only sometimes wished
for little change.
It came-a most startling episode.
We had company to dinner-Mrs. Maltby's
lawyer and personal friend, from New York.
was dressing her hair, as sometimes did.
for she liked my arrangements, pronouncing
them artistic. Suddenly, without knock or
warning, the door was flung open, and a
young man walked in.
felt Mrs. Maltby start under my hands.
myself, was frightened, the intruder looked
so bold and reckless.
He was very handsome, but he looked to
me to have been travelling long, or to have
come out of some revel. His linen was soil
ed, his long, clustering hair unbrushed, his
eyes bloodshot, yet his appearance was sim
gularly attractive. had never before seen
so high-bred and graceful a man.
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 proceed
with her task" he said quickly. "What
have to say need not interfere with her emf
ployment. l understand that she is your
companion and confidant, though have not
had the pleasure of meeting her BEFORE"
The last sentence appeared to have been
quite mechanically spoken, for he had fixed
his eyes fiercely upon Mrs. Maltby's face, and
seemed to see only her. l went on, pinning
mp the braids of her hair rs had been bid,
but my hands trembled. 1 could not see her
face, but think she met that look steadily.
"You refused me-" he said, in far diff
ferent tone from that in which he had at first
spoken, low and concentrated.
Certainly" she answered.
"Do you want my blood upon your head ?"
he exclaimed.
washed my hands clear of you long ago, -
she answered, composedy.
Long ago." he repeated, and a wave OF
emotion that was inexplieable to me, went
over his face. Then he was silent. don't
know why, but from that moment pitied him.
He got up and commenced walking the
floor. -r
81 tell you, Winfred, 1 must have this mo-
ney," he said. - must have it tonight, to-
night" he repeated.
Mrs. Maltby was silent. Icaught glimpse
Of her face. Flint was not harder.
Let me have it, Winfred," he said, paus.
ing before her, - and promise you that il
shall be the last time"
She made no reply.
"The last time. Imean it, Winfrcd."
His voice faltered. She did not speak.
Twill you?"
"No," she replied, with no emotion what
ever.
His face had been working with some
strong, deep feeling. But that monOsyllable
seemed to strike him like blow. He stood
looking at her, his face still and desperate.
I" did not think God could make such a
woman as you are" he said, at last
felt her shrink beneath the actual horror
with which he seemed to regard her. But
she spoke with unaltered composure.
II told you more than year ago, that
should pay no more debts of yours, contracted
at faro, or in any other way" she said. 81
meant it T; you know that meant it. 1 have
So W AeAih Sildii
He did not speak; his head was dropped
upon his breast, he was deathly pale.
have done my duty by you, Guy-you
know that have" she added.
Yes, you have been just--but you have
never been mcrciful," he replied. "Oh
God!" He flung up his arms with bitter
cry that wrung my heart.
looked at her. She did not relent or &c
to him. He had flung himself into chair
and with his head dropped and his arms folded
upon the back, was the most hopeless figure ]
had ever seen. She rose, for had finished
her hair, and took seat near the fire. Hel
lips were gray, as if she were cold, but he,
face was still as infleXiblc as flint.
He gave groan, and started up suddenly
am going" lie said. Ct" He met
her eye, and asked: 4" Why did you not Kill
me? was altogether in your hands once
You killed her, you will remember"
A slight flush stained her cheek.
You would have made her happy, sup.
pose, if she had lived! Oh, heaven, if she
had lived! Winfred sedley, may God dea
by you as you dealt by me-"
am willing" she answered.
He remained not a moment longer. Wrap
ping his cloak about him, he gave her on.