The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-09-25

1 you know that have" she added.
Eyes, you have been just, but vol
, have never been merciful, he replied
ooh God !" He flung up his arms Will
bitter cry that fairly wrung my heart
l looked at her. She did not relen
or go to him. He had flung himself into
chair, and with his head dropped ano
his arms folded upon his back, was the
most hopeless figure had ever seen.
She rose, for had finished her hair, and
took a seat nearer the fire. Her lips were
gray as if she were cold, but her face was
still! as invincible as flint.
He gave groan, and started up sud
denly.
Il am going" he said, 4" He
met her eye. and asked why did you
not tell me- | was altogether in your
hands once. You killed her, you well
remember"
A flush stained her cheek.
'You would have made her happy, |
suppose, if she had lived, " she said sar
castically. But the sting didno seem to
| reach him.
If she had lived oh, heaven, if
she had lived Winifred Sedley, may
God deal by you as you have dealt by
me.
Il am willing" she answered.
He remained not moment longer
Wrapping his cloak about him, he gave
her one look of reproach, and left the
room looked wistfully at her; she
did not speak to me, and |, too, went
away.
She was i'll the next day, but on the
day following she appeared much as
usual.
OF all 1 thought and felt, l, of course,
said nothing. The matter was 40 affair
of mine had not understood it; Mrs.
Maltby would make me feel it. | under
stood that the two were brother and sis
ter; that the young man was named Guy
Sedlev; that he was dssolute and in dis
grace; that Mrs. Maltby had taken care
of him in boyhood, but now ignored the
relationship. | was in no way allowed to
learn any more.
But on the second night | was awak-
ened by a light shining into my chamber
1t was something unusual, for the little
clock on the mantel was Ginning twelve
After a moment / slipped our of bed
and glided towards the open door.
The long embroidered folds OF my night |
gown tripped me, but | made no noise /
with my bare fee. upon the deep velvet /
of the carpet. | don't know whom | ex-
pected to see certainly not Guy Sedley, |
kneeling before a sandai-wood chest, with /
papers strewn around him on the floor /
A taper, burning in silver sconce on /
the wall, showed his face perfectly cool /
as he went on searching for something
He must have come through my room
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.
saw, too, a dirk knife on the floor
close ut his side.
| looked AT him an instant--even then
| remembered to pity him-then glided
forward, snatched the knife and leaped
back TO the door.
| was mistress Of the situation, for
had come from behind him--done all as
in a flash of lightning-and is he rose to
his feet stood with my back to the closed
door, with calmness that showed that it
was not my intention to Immediately
arouse the house.
With 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 a glittering eye regarded
me speculatively. | was petite, and /
had not screamed. l know now that he
was not much afraid Of me, although he
appeared to be.
You have been robbing your sister,
| said, "but if YOU will put the money
back, | will let you 90.
His intense attention Of me changed to
a look Of wonder.
" You, child, are not afraid of me ?"
he asked.
Ono, l answered, truthfully.
"But | watched you in your sleep
moment ago, debating whether it were
necessary to kill you or not
"You must have been glad to find that
it was not necessary | answered.
He looked more astonished than be-
fore, but did not stop to think of that.
Put the money back, | said
''No," he said firmly 81 will murder
you first"
do not do that, said I Il am your
friend. | was sorry for You that day"
He did not speak, but a troubled look
disturbed the pale fixedness of his face.
How much money have you there"
| asked.
lone 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. l would like to be mer
ciful. l will give you the money.
YOU"
Il have it-yes-here in my room
let me show YOU
| flung open the door naXt to my
writing-desk and came back.
These l will give you freely, | said,
opening the roll You said to your
aunt it should be the last time, and
hope
He had taken the bills into his hand,
looking ut them in Il kind. unbelieving
way.
''You may hope that YOU have saved
me. he said, in low tone
We were silent for moment
you know now that | was very sorry
for YOU" l said, with tears in my ewes.
Yes" he said gravely. And love
YOU for it.
He put Mrs. Maltbv's money back,
and re-arranged his chest. / began to
listen nervously for voices about the
house, but all was very still. He locked
the chest and gave me the key.
you know where it is kept"
"Yes, in a drawer in her dressing
room" | wondered how he had obtain
ed it.
Hurry and get away.
There is no danger; l paved the
way carefully. Pure, brave little girl,
hoIr fearless you are for Yourself"