Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-10-31

NO." she replied, without the least
emotion.
His face had been working with some
strong, deep feeling. But that monosyl-
able seemed to strike him like blow
He stood looking at her, his face still
and desperate.
Il did not think that God could make
such woman as you are" he sad at
last.
| felt her shrink beneath the natural
horror with which he seemed to regard
her. Bnt she spoke with unaltered COM
posure.
81 told you more than year ago that
| should pay no more of your debts,
contracted at faro or in any other way,
she said. Il mean it-you know that ]
mean it have given you fail. warning
i shall not change"
He did not speak; his head was
dropped upon his breast; he was death
ly pale.
81 have done my duty by you, Guy
you know that | have" she added.
''Ics, you have been just-yOu have
been merciful," he replied. ''Oh, God :"
He flung up his arms with a bitter cry
that wrung my heart.
| looked at her She did not relent
or 30 to him. He had flung himself
into a chair, and with his head dropped
and his arms folded upon the back, was
the most hopeless figure / have ever
seen. She rose. for / had finished her
hair, and took a seat near the fire. Her
lips were gray, as if she were cold, but
her face was still as inhexible as flint
He gave a groan, and started up sud
denly.
i am going" he said.-'I-" He
met her eye, and asked: ''Why did you
not kill me? | was altogether in your
hands once. You killed her, you will
remember.
A slight flush stained her check.
You would have made her happy, /
suppose if she had liyed," she said, sar-
castically. But the sting did not seem
to reach him.
IF she had lived. Oh. heaven, if
she had lived. Winfred Sedley, may
God deal by you as you have dealt by
her"
Il am willing" she answered.
He remained not a moment longer.
Wrapping his cloak about him, he gave
her one look Of reproach, and left the
room. | looked wistfully at her she
did not speak to me, and | too, went
away.
She was i'll the next day, but on the
day following she appeared much as
usual.
OF all that | thought and felt, |. of
course. said nothing. The matter was
no affair of mine. | had understood
that the two were brother and sister
that he was desOlate and in disgrace.
- I,
in boyhood. but now ignored the rela-
tionship. | was in no way allowed to
learn any more.
But on the second night. was awak-
ened by light shining in my chamber.
1t was somewhat unusual, for the lit
tie clock on the mantle was Ginning
twelve.
After moment ! slipped out of bed
and glided toward the open door. The
long, embroidered folds of my night
dress tripped me, but | made no noise
with my bare feet upon the deep velvet
of the carpet / don't know whom
expected to see-CeTtainly not Guy Sed-
ley, kneeling bcforea sandal-wOOd chest,
with papers strcwn around him on the
floor. \ taper burning in the scOnce
upon the wall, showed his face perfectly
cool, as he went on searching for some
thing.
He must have come through my room
to reach this apartment. for il had no
opening but into my chamber. / was
aware that the papers in the chest were
valuable. that there was money placed
there. | saw that he was robblng his
sister.
saw. too. a dirk-knife on the floor,
close at his side.
| looked at him an instant-eyen then
| remembered to pity him-then glided
forward. snatched the knife, and leaDed
back to the door.
| was mistress of that situation. for ]
had come from behind him, done all as
in flash Of light, and as he rose to his /
feet | stood with my back to the closed !
door. and with a calmness that showed !
that it was not my intention to immedi- /
ately arouse the house.
With a presence of mind equal to my
own. he put the roll of bills he had been |
searching for, into the fob of his waist
coat. and with a glittering eye regarded |
me speculatively. ! was petite, and
had not screamed. | saw that he was
not much afraid of me.
''You have been rObbing your sister"
L y =
back, | will let you GO.
His intense attention to me changed /
to a look of wonder.
NO" | answered truthfully.
''But | watched you in your sleep, a Z.
moment ago, debating whether il were
necessary to kill you or not.
You must have been glad to find that /
it was not necessary; | said.
H. I,,IvaI morn acfpUiCbAH than hp- Z
fore, but | did not stop to think Of /
that.
''Put the money back" | said.
s'No," he said, firmly. Il will muir
der you first.
sDo not do that, " said l. Il am your
friend. | was sorry for you that day
He did not speak, blt a troubled look 1
disturbed the pale fiXedness Of his |
face.
''How much money have you there 2"
l asked.
zone hundred dollars"
''And you need it very much 7"
''Very much, he replied, with bit I
ter smile.
ssPlease put it back" l said. ''She
has been just to you, l would like to be |
merciful.
lou
81 have it-yes- here in my room, let |
me show you.
/ flung open the door, next TO my
writing desk, and came back.
"These l will give you freely,
said, opening the roll. ''You said to her /
that it would be the last time, and
hope"
He had taken the bills into his hand,
looking at them in a kind, unbelieying
way.
'sYou may hope that you have saved
me, he said, in low voice.
We were silent for moment.
'sYou know that was very sorry for
you," / said, with tears in my eyes.
eyes," he said, gravely, ''and / love
you for it. ..
He put Mrs. Malthy's money back
and rearranged the chest. | began to