The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-04-26

W SGb-CeTJdiuly HOb 'uy Otuicy ,hhooi-
ing before sandal wood chest, with
papers strewn around him on the floor.
A taper, burning in its silver sconce
upon the wall, showed his face perfect
ly cool as he went on searching for some
thing.
He must have come through myroom
to reach this apartment, for it had no
opening but into my chamber. / was
aware that the papers in the chest were
valuable-that there was money placed
there. / saw that he was robbing his
sister.
l saw, too, dirk knife on the floor,
close at his side.
looked at him an instant-then glid-
ed forward, snatched the knife, and
leapt back to the door.
/ was mistress of the situs ton, for l
had come from behind him, done all as
in a flash Of light, and as he rose to his
feet 1 stood with my back to the door,
with a calmness that showed it was not
my intention to Immediately arouse the
house.
With q presence of mind equal to my
own, he put the roll of bills he had been
searching for into the fob of his waist
coat, and with glittering eye regarded
me speculatively. l was petite, and 1
had not screamed. know now, that he
was not much afraid of me.
"You have been robbing your sister,"
1 said, "buti if you will put the money
back will let you CO."
His intent attention of me changed to
a look of wonder.
"You child, are you not afraid of me?"
he asked.
"No," 1 answered, truthfully.
81 watched you in your sleep, a mo-
ment ago, debating whether it were
necessary to kill you or not"
"You must have been glad to find
that it was not necessary. Put the
money back" l said.
"No," he said firmly. 81 will murder
you first"
"Do not do that" said l, am your
friend. was sorry for you that day."
He did not speak, but troubled look
disturbed the pale fixedness of his face.
"How much money hive you there?"
"One hundred dollars"
"And you need it very much ?"
Every much," he replied, with a
bitter smile.
"Please put it back" said. "She
has been just to you, would like to
be merciful. l will give you the
money"
"YOu?n
81 have it-yes-have it in my room.
Let me show you."
l flung open the door, went to my
writing desk, and came back.
"These l will give you freely" 1
said, opening the roll. "You said to
her that it should be the last time, and
l hope"
He had taken the bills into his hand,
looking at them in kind of unbeliev-
ing way.
"YOu may hope that you have saved
me-" he said, in low voice.
We were silent for moment.
"YOu know now that was very sorry
for you" 1 said with tears in my eyes.
eyes," he said gravcly," and 1 love
you for it,"
He put Mrs. Maltby's money back
and re.arranged the chest. l began to
listen, nervously, for voices about the
house, but all was very still. He lock-
ed the chest and gave me the key.
"You know where it is kept?"
"Yes in drawer in her dressing
ROOM" wonder how he had got it,
Hurry and get away"
"There is no danger; paved my
way carefully. Pure, brave girl, care
less you are for yourself!"
He looked at me earnestly, as if he
wished to carry away clear memory
of my features, then wrapped his cloak
about him, flung up the sash, and leap.
ed sOundlessly out into the darkness.
l eXtinguished the taper and crept
back to bed. l did not hear a sound
about the house until daylight.
A year later l was the mistress OF
Redburn the beautiful house, the spa
cious grounds were all mine. Mrs
Maltby had died and bequeathed them
to me.
was young; / was fond of gayety
had now the means at my disposal,
Every summer my house was filled
with guests. In the winter 1 was in
New York or abroad.
Three years passed. had never
heard word of Guy Sedley, when, one
day the Bromleys, of New York, who
were coming to visit me, asked leave t.
bring friend extended the solicited
invitation, and Guy Sedley came.
1t was shock, but he gave no tokel
of the past. Reclaimed from his errors
he was so refined and manly that h,
was the most distinguished of my guest
l loved him, but l thought, she mus
hate me, usurper of his estate. He
poor because ! have his patrimony.
have no right to Redburn, and / will
not keep ii. l will give it back to him.
An opportunity came. He was 81,
ting on the terrace one bright evening &
l went and took seat near him.
"How lovely this view isl" he ex
claimed, pointing toward the distan
hills.
"Yes, and you shall wish for you
right no longer, Mr.. Sedley. Redbur
is yours, have no claim to it,"
He did not speak, and went on;
"Your sister was just and she woul
have made you the heir if she had live
to see you what you are to day."