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

Miss Violet, will you give this letter
to Mrs. Malthy?'
| had my hands full of drawing mate
rials, but received the letter, and con-
tinued on my way to Mrs. Malthy's
dressing room.
The drawings were little studies I had
made while down at the seaside. where
| had spent my vacation. made for Mrs.
ion year-and Mrs. Malthy had been
interested in them saying,
Touch them up bit, Violet, and
will get portfolio for them and keep
them
usually sat with her in her dressing
room through the mornings. and thither
| repaired to touch up the drawings
while she sat with her slippered feet on
the fender. embroidered with purple and
crimson woods.
I gave her the letter and went to a
low seat in the deep bay window. |
sharpened a pencil and then happened
to glance toward my companion.
Her face was ashy white. Her profile
was turned towards me- In its regular
ity and pallOr it looked like face cut in
stone But had n9ver had seen it look
so sharp and deathly.
The letter was clinched in her hand.
| had brought her bad news.
| was shocked but silent. | tried to
remember what | knew of her family re-
lati0ns. She was a handsome black
haired woman of fifty. who had been
early widowed and returned to her faith
ers house. Her parents were dead
Her mother had died in her infancy, and
she had been the mistress of Redburn
ever since. 1t was not long. however,
since her fathers decease. She had new
er had a child. She had no brother or
sister that had ever heard of. | could
not surmise what had happened. | saw
her burn the letter, and then she rose
and lett the room.
Afterwards | guessed whom the COM
municatiOn was from.
A week passed. They were quiet and
comfortable, but rather mOnotonous
weeks at Redburn. But though young |
was less restless than most girls. | was
not unhappy with Mrs. Malthy. Only
sometimes / wished for a little change.
1t came-a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-Mrs NAL
thy's lawyer and personal friend from
New York. | was dressing her hair as
| sometimes did, for she liked my ar
rangements, pronouncing them artistic.
Suddenly, without knock or warning.
the door was flung open and a young
man walked in.
| felt Mrs. Malthy start under my
hand. |, myself, was somewhat fright
ened, 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 recent revel.
His linen was soiled, his long, clustering
hair unbrushed, his eyes blOodshot. vet
his appearance was singularly attract
i've. | had never before seen so high
bred and graceful a man.
Mrs. Malthy did not speak to him.
He seated himself before, and not far
from her, however.
$50 on, Violet" she said.
Certainly. Let the young lady pro-
ceed with her task" he said, quickly.
What | have to say need not interfere
with her employment. understand that
she IS your companion and confidant,
though have not had the pleasure of
meeting her before"
The last sentence appeared to have
DeeH quItc mechanically spoken, Tor he
had fixed his eyes fiercely upon Mrs.
Malthy's face, and seemed to see only
her. ! went on pinning up the braids of
her hair as had been bid, but my hands
trembled. | could not see her face, but
| think she met that look steadily.
''You refused me-" he said. in a far
different tone from that in which he had
first spoken, low and concentrated.
Certainly" she answered
do you want my blood upon your
head?' he exclaimed.
Il washed my hands clear of you.
long ago" she answered composedly and
ironically.
':Long ago." he repeated, and a wave
OF emotion that was quite inexplicable
to me, went over his face. Then he
was silent-I could not tell why. but
from that moment | pitied him.
He got up and commenced walking
the floor.
Il tell you, Winfred, | must have this
money" he said. 81 must have it to-
night, tonight" he repeated.