Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-09-12
SAVED.

"MIss VIOLET, will you give this letter
to Mrs Maltby?'
had my hands full of drawing materi
ais, but received the letter and contin-
ned 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 (mude for Mrs
Matby, to whom had been companion
for "A year, and Mrs. Matby had been in.
tercsted 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 | now repaired
to touch up the drawings, while she sat
with her slippercd feet on the fender en-
broidering with purple and crimson
woods
gave her the letter, and went to a low
seat in the deep bay window. | sharp
encd pencil, and then happened to
glance toward my companion.
Her face was ashy white, Her profile
was turned toward me In its rregulari-
" and pnllor it looked like a face cut in
stone. But had never seen it look So
sharp and dcathly.
The letter was ClcnChcd in her hand. ]
had brought her bad news.
was shocked, but silent | tried to
remember what knew of her family re
Iations 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 Rcdburn ever
since 1t was not long, however since
her fathers dcccase. She had never had
child. She had no brothers or sisters
whom | had ever heard of | could not
surmise what had happened,
! saw her burn the letter, and then she
rose aud left the room.
Attcrward guessed whom that com.
muniCation was from.
A week passed They were quiet and
comfortable but rather monotonous weeks
at Rcdburn. But, though young, | was
less restless than most girls was not
unhappy with Mrs. MaItby. Only some
times wiRhed for little change.
1t camc--a most startling episode.
We had company to dtne-Mrs. Maltby's
lawyer and personal friend, from New
York. | 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.
felt Mrs. Matby start under my
hands. myself was frightened, the in
tTudcr looked so bold and reckless.
He was very handsome, but he looked
10 me to have been travelling long, or to
have come out of some rcvel liis linen
p.n- unilpI hjc lnpr piustntiutr ha;,, ~,
brushed, his eyes bloodshot, yet his APP
pearance was singul2rly attractive. |
had never before seen SO high bred and
graceful man.
Mrs MaItby did not speak to him, He
seated himself before, and not far from
her, however.
eco on, Violet, she said -
Certainly, Let tho young lady pro.
coed with her task" he said, quickly.
wv hat have to say need not interfere
with her employment. 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 ticrcely upon Mrs.
Maltby's face, and seemed to see only her.
! went on pinning up the braids of her
hair as ! had been bid, bnt my hands
trcmbed. could not see her face, but
think she met that look steadily
"lou refused me, he said, in far
different tone from that in which he had
at first spoken-low and concentrated
"Ccrtainly,' she answered
DO you want my blood upon your
hcady' he exclaimed
II washed my hands clear of you long
ago, she answered, composcdly
Long ago, y he repeated, and wave
Of emotion that was ineNplicAblc to me
went over his face Then he was silent.
! don't know why, but from that moment
pticd him,
He got up and commenced walking the
floor
50 tell you, Wntred must have this
money, lie said - must have it to.
night, to night, he repeated
Mrs Maltby Was silent caught
glimpse OF her face, Flint was not hard.
or
" Let me have it, Winfrcd" he said.
pau~lng before her, land | promise you
1T shall be the last time"
she made no reply
q" The last time. | mean it, Winfred "
His voice faltercd. She did not speak
" WIN you 2"
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 a blow
He stood looking at her his face stu and
desperate
"a, 4. I T.