The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-09-07
SAVED.

"Miss Violet, will you give this letter to
Mrs. Maltby 2"
l had my hands full of drawing materials,
but received the letter, and continued on my
way to Mrs. Maltby's drawing-room.
The drawings were little studies had made
while down at the seaside, where had spent
my vacation, made foc Mrs. Maltby,-to
whom had been companion for year,-and
Mrs. Maltby had been interested in them, say
ing, "Touch them up a bit, Violet, and / will
get a portfolio for them and keep them"
usually sat with her in her dressing
through the mornings, and tmther now re-
paired to touch up the drawings, while she
sat with her slippered leet on the fender, en-
broidering with purple and crimson woods.
gave her the letter, and went to low seat
in the deep bay window sharpcned pen
Gil, and then happened to glance toward my
companion.
Her face was ashy white. Her profile was
turned towards me- In its lrregularity it
looked like II face cut in stone. But had new
er seer it look so sharp and death!y.
The letter was clenched in her hand. had
brought her bad news.
was shocked but silent. tried to remem-
Der what knew of ner family relations. 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 hap
pened.
/ saw her burn the letter, and she then rose
and left the room.
Afterwards guessed whom that commune
cation was from.
A week passed. They were quiet and COM
Portable, but rather monotonous weeks at Red
burn. But though young, was less restless
than most girls. | was not unhappy with
Mrs. Maltby. Only sometimes wished for a
little change.
1t came--a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-NIrs. Maltbys
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 warn.
ing, the door was flung open, and 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 revcl His linen was soilcd,
his long. clustering hair unbrushed, his eyes
bloodshot, yet his appearance was slngularly
attractive had never before seen SO high.
bred and graceful a man.
Mrs Maltby did not speak to him. He
seated himself before ana not far from her,
however.
go on, Violet" she said.
"Certainly. Let the young lady proceed"
he said quickly. What have to say need
not interfere with her employment. under.
stand 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, Cor he had fixed
his eyes fercely upon Mrs Maitby's face and
seemed to see only her. | went on, pinning
up The bralds of her hair as | had been bid.
but my hands trent led. | could not see her
face, but think she must have met that look
steadily.
"You refused me-" he said, in far differ.
ent tone from that in which he had ut first
spoken,-low and concentrated.
"Certainly,' she answered.
"Do you want my blood upon your head =
he exclaimed.
u washed my hands clear Of YOU long aye"
she answered, composedv
Long ago" he repeated, and n wave OF
emotion that WAS ineApiicable to me went over
his face. Then he WIS silent. don't know
why, but from that rnoncn. pi,ied him.
lie got up and commenced walking the
floor.
81 tell you, Win'red, mus, have this
money, he said must have it tonight"
he repeated.
Mrs. Maltby was silent. caught glimpse
Of her face. Flint was not harder.
"Let me have 1t, Wntred." he said, puusnc
before her, ''nnd ! promise you it shall be the
last time"
She made no reply.
"The last time. mean it, Wintred," hc re-.
peated.
His voice inltered. She did not speak.
"Will your"
"No," she replied, with no em,tion what.
ever.