The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-09-18
SAVED.

MI ' LILA
"Miss Violet, will you give this
letter to Mrs. Maltby p 2.
I had my hands full of drawing
materials, but I received the letter
and continued on my way to Mrs
Maltby;s adressing-room.
The drawings were little studies
| I had made while down at the sea
side, where I had spent my vaca'
ton, made for Mrs. Maltby-tc
whom | had been companion for g
year-and Mrs. Maltby had been
interested in them, saying, "Touch
them up q bit, Violet, and I will
get a portfolio for Them and keep
them" I usually sat with her in
her dressing-room through the
mornings, and thitbsr I now re.
paired to touch up the drawings,
while she sat with her slippered
feet on the fender, 'embroidering
with purple and crimson woods. ~
I gave her the letter, and went to
a low seat in the deep bay-wipdow'
I sharpened pencil, and then hap.
pened to glance towand my com,
panion.
Her face was ashy white. Her
profile was turned toward me. In
its regularity and pallor it looked
like a face cut in stone. But I had
never seen it look so sharp and
deathlly.
The letter was ciutched in her
hand. I had broughted her bad
news.
I was shocked but silent. I tried
to remember what I knew of he1
family relations. She was hand.
some 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 ot
ReGburn ever since. 1t was not
lone, however, since her fathers
decease. She had never had a
child. She had no brothers or sis.
ters whom had ever heard OF:
could not surmise what had hap.
|pened.
I saw her burn the letter, and
then she rose and left the room.
Afterward I guessed whom that
communication was from.
A week passed. They were
quiet and comfortable, but rather
nonotonous weeks at Redburn
But, though young, I was less rest
less than most girls. [ was not un,
happy with Mrs. Maltby. Only
sometimes I wished for a little
change.
1t came-a most startling episode.
We had company to dinner
Mrs. Maltby's lawyer and personal
friend, from New York. I was
dressing her hair, as I sometimes
| did, for she liked my arrangements
pronouncing them artistic. Sud
denly, without a knock or a warn.
ing, the door was flung open, and
a young man walked in.
I felt Mrs. Maltby start :undea
my hands. / myself was fiighten'
ed, the intruder looked so bold ano
reckless. ~
He was very handsome, but hi
looked to me to have been travel
ing long, or to have come out O
some revel. His linen was soiled
his long, clustering hair mnbrushed
his eyes bloodshot, yet his appear
ance was singularly attractive.
had never before seen so high
bred and graceful a man.
Mrs. Maltby did not speak tt
him. He seated himself before
and not far from her, however.
,"Go on, Violet" she said.
"Certainly. Let the young lad,
proceed with her task" he salt
quickly. "What I have to say nee(
not interfere with her employment
& understand that she is your com
panion and confaant, though
have not had the pleasure of meet
ing her before"
i The last sentence appeared t
haye been quite mechanically spo
!, ken, for he had fixed his eyes fierce
ay upon Mrs. Maltby's face. an
seemed to see only her. I went o.
' pinning up the braids of her hal
as I had been bid, but my hand
trembled. I could not see her fac
) but I think she met that look steaC
; lily.
"You refused me,," he said, in
far different tone from that i
which he had at. first spoken, lo1
) and concentrated.
"Certainly," she answered.
"Do you want my blood upo
;. YOUR head?' he exclaimed.
$ II washed my hands clear of 20
: long ago." she answered, compo
. edly.
). dLong ago." he repeated, and
). wave of emotion that was ineXpl