The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-08-30
SAVED,

| MISS MISS sloiet, VIII you give this lette
l had my hands full of drawing ms
terials, but l received the lettsr an
continued on my way to Mrs. Maltby'
drawing room. =
The drawings were little studies
had made while down at the seaside
where had spent my vacation-mad
for Mrs. Maltby-to whom had bee
companion Tor year-and Mrs. Malt
Dy had been interested in them, sayin
iouch tfiem up a bit, Violet, and
VIII get a portfolio for them and kee
them." L usually sat with her i'm he
dressing-room through the mornings
ana tnither L now repaired to touch vi
tne Cravings, while sat with her slip
perrd feet on the fender, smbroiderin,
with purple and crimson wool.
gave her the letter, and went to
low seat in the deep bay window.
sharpened pencil, and then happen
ed to glance toward my companion.
Her face was ashy white. Her pro
fiie was turned towari me. In its ir
regularity and pallor or it looked like
lace cut in stone. But j had never
seen It, look so sharp and deathly.
Tbe letter was clenched i'm her hand
bad brought her bad news.
was shocked, but silent. / tried t6
remember what l knew of her family
relations. She WIS n handsome black
haired woman of fifty, who bad beer
early widowed, and returned to her IA
thers's house. Her pareI is were dead
Her mother had died i'm her infancy
nd oh I,o q so .r
burn ever since. 1t was not long, how.
ever, since her fathers decease. She had
never had child. She bad no broth.
ers or sisters whom i had heard of. ]
could not surmise what had happened
saw her burn the letter, and then
she rose and left the room.
Afterwards / guessed whom that
communication was from.
A week passed. They were quiet and
comfortable, but rather a monotonous
week at Redburn. But, though young
L was less restless than most giIls.
wa not unhappy with Mrs. Maltby.
Oily sometimes / 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 l sometimes did, for she liked
my arrangements, pronouncing them
artistic. Suddenly, without knock or
warning, the door was flung open, and
a young man walked in.
! felt Mrs. Maltby start under my
hands. i myself was frightened, the
intruder looked so bold and reckless.
He was very handsome, but he look
ed to me to have been travelling long,
or to have come out of some revel.
His linen was soiled, his long, cluster
ing hair unbrushed, his eyes bloOdshot,
yet his appearance was singularly at
tractive. / 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.
"CertaiDly. Let the young lady
proceed with her task, he said, quick
ly. "What have To say need not in
terfere with her employment. j un-
derstand that she is your companion
and confidant, though / have not J. .Ad
the pleasure of meeting her before, 10
The last sentence appeared % have
been quite mechanically spok ,n, for he
had fixed his eyes fiercely upon Mrs
Malby's face, and seemed to see only
her. / went on, pinn'1H up braids O.
her hair as / had been bid, but my
bands trembled. L could rot see heI
face, but L think she met that look
steadily.
g You refused me-" he said, in fal
different tone from that in which be
had at first spcken-low concentrated
"Certainly, she answered.
"Do you want my blood upon your
head ?" he exclaimed.
q L washed my hands clear of you
long ago, she answered, composedly
/" Long ago." he repeated, and a
wave of emotion that was inexplicable
to me wentover his face. Then he was
silent. | don't know why, but frcm
that N oment pitied him.
He got up and commenced walk.
ing tbe floor.
az tell you, Winfred, / must have
this money!" he said. AZ must have
Tonight, tonight, he repeated.
Mrs. Maltby was silent. / caught 8
glimpse of her face. Flint was no
harder.
"Let me have il, WiDfred, - he saiC
causing before her, sand | promise
you it shall be the tast time. -
She made no reply.
1.-The last time. mean Il Winfred. ,
His voice faltered. She did no
speak.
Will you?"
"No," she replied, with no emotion
whatever.
His face had been working with som,
strong, deep feeling. But that mono
syllable seemed to strike him like :
blow. He stood looking at her, his FAC
still and desperate.
81 did rot think God co.dd max,
such a woman as you are, he said, a
last.
l felt her shrink beneath the actua
horror with which he Seemed to regar,
her. But she spoke with unalterabl
cOmpOsure.
al told you more than a year sc,
that l should pay no more debts o
ycurs, contracted at faro, or in an,
Other way" she said. Il meant it
you know L meant it. I've given yol
fair warning. l shall not change. +"
He did not speak; his head wa!
drooped upon his breast he was death
~ pale.
al have done my duty by you, Guy
you know that l have" she added.
Yes, you have been just, but yor
have never been merciful, % he replied
"Oh, Cod! !" He flung up his arm:
with a bitter cry that wrung my heart
/ look at her. She did not relent oI
go TO him. He had flung hirself into
a chair, and with his head dropped ant
his arms folded upon the hack, was
the most hopeless figure I had evel
seen. She rose, for had finished hel
hair, and took seat near The fire. HeI
lips were very gray, as if she were cold
hut her face was still invncible as
flint.
He gave a groan, and startedup sud.
denly.
" | am going" he said. "I-" He
met her eye, and asked: Why did
you not kill me? | was altogether in
Your hands once. You killed her, you
will remember.
a slight flush stained her cheek.
You would have made her happy
Isuppose, l If she had lived" " she said
sarcastically. But the sting did moi
seem to reach him.
If she had lived! o. heaven, if she
had lived! Winifed Sedley, may God
deal by you as you have dealt 10y me. y
Il anu willing, she answered.
lie remained not q moment longer
Wrapping his cloak about him, h,
paye her one look of repro.sch and lief
the room. locked wistfully at her