The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-07-09

I" Ask Airlie alone, then, and make an
| excuse to ger her down afterward. At
any rate it will be relief to him, seated
mOping up in that little room every
evening, with not a friend with whom
to exchange a word"
THAT might do" / pondered, press
ing the tip of my needle thoughtfully to
my lips !; then gave such a start that /
pricked myself as L exclaimed Good
gracious John, what is that p
How can l tell, Meg ?" he answered,
rising quickly. at is Mr.. Fortescue's
voice"
"He is quarreling," l exclaimed, in
alarm, as l hurried after John to the
door.
The words which made me start were:
You unmitigated scOuudrel!
Opening the door John was about to
hasten out; but, abruptly drawing back,
mOtioned me to silence. Then, mute as
mice, we listened. Remember, we were
lodging house keepers.
As Heaven is my witness, replied
the clear, firm tones of Mr.. Airlie, "
never dreamed you were under this roof;
or, as l stand here, l would never have
placed foot in it. :"
You expect me to believe that?"
You must, seeing that l could gain
nothing by such proximity to yOu
Nothing nothing ! You sneaking
hound d. You think l am blind ?"
cried the old man and we heard the
stick with which he walked strike sharp
ly on the floor. "Not gain Kathleen, |
suppose? How do I know you would
not persuade her to wed you on the sly
and thus rOb me of my money? How
do / know that yOu have not done so ?
You are both capable of the trick"
Beware, sir q eJaculated our lodger,
his voice all of a quiver. "Call me
what you please-all terms are alike to
me, coming from such fathers lips
but, by Heaven you shall not maEgn
that pure, noble girl, who has sacrificed
herself to you. When you drove me
your son-from your doors, 1 offered to
share my home with her, knowing the
miserable life TO which left her, but
she sacrificed love to gratitude and,
because you had brought her up, poor
orphan from her cradle, bowed her
gentle head to your cruel will, and re-
manned under yOur tyrannical rule.
You have used hard words to me, sir,
and hard words to her whose mem
ory is dearer to me than life; but
l have managed to keep my hands off
you. But take care there are bounds
to every mans fOrbearance. Do not
speak i'll of Kathleen
"Dare you threaten me 2" shrieked |
the old man. "True son of a shame
less mother"
"Oh Heaven, have a care J. and the I!
sound of Mr.. AirEe's voice showed the |
stuperdous self-control he was exerting. |
" You drove my mother from your roof |
as yOu drove me.
" Your mother left it of her own ac- !
cord; she ran away, the"
The word he uttered shall not be |
written. 1t was followed by loud fierce !
cry, and sound which told MIR. Airie |
had flown at the speaker. There was
the noise of a struggle, the gaping cries |
of the old man, blended with his niece's |
screams for assistance.
Help helpl !" she shrieked. "Oh, I
Richard-Richard, let go. Reflect
He is your father; he is oid-he is i'll
You will kill him "
We had rushed up stairs, but before |
we reached the LANDING those pleading
words of his cousin had calmed the !
Just ire of the man, and his passion was
again subdued,
We found Mr.. Fortescue leaning
against the drawing room door, painting
for breath, and half supported by
Kathleen MilbrUOke whose fearful eyes
were turned with compassion upon Mr..
Aiflie, who stood apart, his arms
folded, his head dropped upon his
chest.
Would you kill me?" gasped the
old man as we arrived.
"No," was the answer, 81 would
have you live that heaven may soften
your heart by a slower approach of
death, so that yon may on your knees
beg my dear mothers forgiveness for
the i'll you have done her in word and
deed. She may pardon you; as yet 1
cannot.
At this Mr. Fortescue's fury once
more broke forth but his neice making
John an imploring sign they managed
to bear him back into the room, swear
ing terribly against his son, and avow-
ing that he would disinherit his niece if
she ever exchanged words with him
again.
She did, however, for when the old
man lay exhausted and insenSible from
his fury she left us in charge and
slipped out to her cousin. When she
tears were in her eyes, and l
caught these words through the closing
door
My own darling, you are too good
for me to blame though I am the suf-
fcrer. Know 1 will ever love and watch
over you until my death.
l expected after this that Mr.. Airlie
would leave, and he did that night. He
told me his father was very rich, but
almost mailman from a selfish, jealous
temper; that he had so cruelty treated
his wife that she had been compelled to
leave him when he had cast the most
accusations upon her, even
after her death, which accusations, re-
peated to his son, had driven him away
also.
HIS father, Mr.. Airlie added, pos
sessed large estate in Devonshire,
and why he lived in apartments he did
not know. unless 1t was an idea of
hiding Miss MIlbrooke'B whereabouts
from him, her cousin, as he was aware
Df the strong affection existing between
hem.
We were sorry to lose Mr.. Airlie,
md l could not help promising him
hat ho should be well Informed of ali
hat took place respecting Kath-
eeD. This, however, | was not
able long to do, for the next morning
Mr.. Fortescue & ave me notice of hi
intention to leave directly he could
ARISE from the bed upon which his un-
natural passion had thrown bin.
But that night the climax came.
1t WAS about two IN the morning,
when l was awakened by a terrible
smell of fire.
ArOuslDg John. we went into the
passage to find it full of smoke.
Merciful heavens | - l cried. 1.-The
house is on fret
1t was so.