The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-09-19
SAVED.

ter to Mrs. Maltby ?"
q had my hands full of drawing ma
terials, but l 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 l had spent my vacation-made
by Mrs. Maltby, to whom L had been q
companion for year-and Mrs. Maltby
had been interested in them, saying:
"Touch them up bit, Violet, and 1
will get portfolio for them and keep
them" usually sat with her in her
dressing-room through the mornings,
and thither repaired to touch up the
drawings, while she sat with her slip
pered feet on the fender, embroidering
with purple and crimson wool.
Igave her the letter, and went to a
low seat in the deep bay-window. L
sharpened pencil, and then happened
to glance toward my companion.
Her face was ashy white. Her profile
was turned toward me. In its irregu-
larity and pallor it looked like face cut
in stone. But had never seen it look
SO sharp and deathly.
The letter was clenched in her hand.
1t brought her bad news.
was shocked, but silent. tried to
remember what l knew of her family re-
lations. She was a 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 never
had child. She had no brothers or
sisters whom / had heard of. 1 could
not surmise what had happened.
/ saw her burn the letter, and she
rose and left the room.
Afterward guessed whom that COM
munication was from.
A week passed. They were quiet and
comfortable but rather monotonous
weeks at Redburn. But, though young,
j was less restless than most girls.
was not unhappy with Mrs. Maltby
Only sometimes / wished for change.
1t came,-a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-Mrs.
Maitby's lawyer and personal friend
from New York; 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.
l felt Mrs. Maltby start under my
hands. myself was frightened, the in
kruder 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 revel. His linen
was soiled; his long, clustering hair UNI
brushed; his eyes bloodshot; yet his
appearance was singularly attractive. /
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.
$50 on, Violet" she said.
Certainly. Let the young lady
proceed with her task" he said, quickly.
s'What have to say need not interfere
with her employment. L understand
that she is your companion and conf
dant, though have not had the pleas
ure of meeting her before.
The last sentence seemed to have
been quite mechanically spoken, for he
had fixed his eyes hereby upon Mrs.
Maltby's face, and seemed to see only
her. 1 went on pinning up the braids
of her hair as | had been bid, but my
hands trembled. l could not see her
face. but l think she met that look
steadily.
"You refuse me-" he said, in far
different tone from that in which he had
first spoken-low add concentrated.
Certainly" she answered.
"Do you want my blood upon your
hands9'' he exclaimed.
az washed my hands clear OF you
long ago" she answered composedly.
"Long ago" he repeated, and wave
of emotion that was inexplicable to me
went over his face. Then he was ST.
lent. / don't know why, but from that
moment pitied him.
He got up and commenced walking
the floor.
al tell you, Winifred, L must have
this money!" he said 81 must have 1T
tonight, " he repeated,
Mrs. Maltby was silent. caught
glimpse of her face. Flint was not
harder.