Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1872-08-22
Miscellany.
SAVED.

SAVED.
"N1ss VIOLET, will you give this letter
to Mrs. Maltby?"
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 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" usually sat
with her in her dressing-room through
the mornings, and thither l now repaired
with her slippered feet on the fender, en-
broidering with purple and crimson
woods.
l gave her the letter, and went to low
seat in the deep bay-window. I 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
ay and pallor it looked like face cut in
stone. But l had never seen it look so
sharp AM. deathly.
The letter was clenched in her hand. [
had brought her bad news.
L was shocked. but silent. I tried to
remember what | knew of her family re-
lations. She was handsome, black
haired 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
had been the mistress of Redburn 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
surmise what had happened.
l saw her burn the letter, and then she
rose and left the room.
Afterward guessed whom that COM
mTnication 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. Maltby. Only some
times l wished for little change
1t came-a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-Mrs Maltby's
lawyer and personal friend, from New
York. l was dressing her hair, as [
sometimes did, for she liked my arrange
ments, pronouncing them artistic. Sud
denly, without knock or warning, the
door was flung open, and a young man
walked in.
I felt Mrs. Maltby start under nv
hands. myself was frightened, the in
truder 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 soiled, his long, clustering hair un-
brushed, his eyes bloodshot, yet his ap-
pearance was singularly 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 pro-
ceed with her task" he said, quickly.
"What have to say need not interfere
with her employment. I understand
that she is your companion and conf
dant, 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
went on pinning up the braids of he1
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
at first spoken-low and concentrated.
Certainly" she answered.
DO you want my blood upon your
head?" he exclaimed.
II washed my hands clear of you long
ago." she answered, composedly.
Long ago." he repeated, and wave
OF emotion that was inexplicable to me
went over his face. Then he was silent
l don't know why, but from that moment
pitied him.
He got up and commenced walking the
floor.
81 tell you, Winfred, I must have this
money" he said "I must have it to
night, tonight" he repeated.
Mrs. Maltby was silent. I caught
glimpse Of her face. Flint was not hard
er.
Let me have it, Winfred," he said
pausing before her, "and I promise YOU
1t shall be the last time"
She made no reply.
The last time. | mean it, Winfred D
His voice faltered. She did not speak,
"Will you ?'
"No," she replied, with no emotion
whatever.
His face had been working with some
strong, deep feeling. But that monosyl
liable seemed to strike him like blow
He stood looking at her, his face still an6
desperate.
s'I did not think God could make sucl
woman as you are," he said, at last.
I felt her shrink beneath the actua
horror with which he seemed to regart
her. But she spoke with unalterable com
posure
81 told you more than year ago tina
I should pay no more debts of yours
contracted at faro, or in any other way,
she said. 81 meant it; you know
meant it. have given you fair warning
shall not change
He did not speak his head was droopeG
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 merciful,'' he replied. "Oh
God /" He flung up his arms with bit
ter cry that wrung my heart.
l looked at her. She did not relent OF
go to him. He had flung himself into {
chair, and with his head dropped anC
his arms folded upon the back, was tht
most hopeless figure had ever seen. Sh,
rose, for had finished her hair, and tool
a seat nearer the fire. Her lips were gray
as if she were cold, but her face was stil
as infexible as flint.
He gave groan, and started up sud
denly.
II am going" he said. "I-" He me