Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-05-12
"The last time. I mean it, Wini-

"The last time. I mean it, Wini.
fred.
His voice faltered. She did not
speak.
"Will your"
"No," she replied, with no emotion
whatever.
His face had been working with
some strong, deep feeling. But that
monosyllable seemed to strike him
like a blow. He stood looking at
her, his face still and desperate.
81 did not think God could make
such a woman as you are" he said at
last.
Ifelt her shrink beneath the actual
horror with which he seemed to re-
gard her. But she spoke with un-
altered composure:
81 told you more than year ago,
that I should pay no more debts of
yours contracted in gambling, or in
any other way" she said. 81 meant
it; you know l meant it. | have
given you fair warning. l shall not
change"
He did not speak; his head was
dropped upon his breast; he was
deathly pale.
81 have done my duty to you, Guy
you know that l have" she added.
eyes, you have been just; but you
have never been mcrciful," he replied
"Oh, God!" He flung up his arms
with a bitter cry that wrung my
heart.
I looked at her. No; she did not
relent or 60 to him. He had flung
himself into a chair, and, with his
head dropped into his arms folded
upon the back, was the most hopeless
figure l had ever seen. She arose,
for had finished her hair, and took
a seat nearer the fire. Her lips were
gray, as if she were cold; but hel
face was still rs iniexible as flint.
He gave a groan, and started up
suddenly.
"I am going" he said. "I I-'
He met her eye and asked, " Why do
you not kill me! I was altogether in
your hands once. You killed her.
you will remember"
A slight flush stained her cheek.
"You would have made her happy
l suppose, if she had lived" she said
sarcastically. But the sting did not
seem to reach him.
eff she had lived? Oh, heaven, if
she had lived. Winifred, may God
deal by you as you have dealt by
me-"
az am wiling" she answered.
He remained for moment longer
Wrapping his cloak about HIM, he
gave her one look of reproach, and
left the room. l looked wistfully at
her; she did not speak to me, and T.
too, went away.
She was i'll the next day; but on
the following day she appeared much
as usual.
OF all that l thought and felt, /, of
course, said nothing. l understood
that the two were brother and sister
that the young man was named
Guy Sedley-that he was dissoluto
and in disgrace-that Mrs. Maltby
had taken care of him in boyhood
but now ignored the relationship. ]
was in DO way allowed to learn any
more.
But on the second night l was
awakened by light shining into my
chamber. 1t was something unusual
for the little clock on the mantle was
Ginning twelve After a moment, ]
slipped out of bed, and gllded to
ward the open door. The long, en-
broidercd folds of my nightdress
nearly tripped me up; but l made no
noise with my bare feet upon the
deep velvet of the carpet. | DOM
know whom l expected to see-cer
tainly not Guy Sedley. keeling before
a sandal-wood box, with papers
strown around him on the floor. a
taper burning on the mantle showed
his face perfectly cool as he went or
searching for something. He must
have come through my room to reacl
the apartment, for it had no opening
but into my chamber. was aware
that the papers i'll the chest were val
liable; that there was money placed
there. l saw that he was robbine
his sister.
l saw, too, dirk knife on the floor
close at his side.
I looked at him an instant--ever
then | remembered to pity him-ther
gllded forward, snatched the knife
and leapt back to the door. I was
mistress of the situation; for l had
come from behind him, and done all
as in flash; and as he rose to his
feet, I stood with a calmness that
showed that 1t was not my intention
to Immediately arouse the house.
With presence of mind equal to
my own, he put the roll of bank
notes he had been searching for into
the pocket of his waistcoat, and will
a glittering eye regarded me specula
lively. / was petite, and l had not
screamed. / know, now, that he was
not much afraid of me.
"You have been robbing your sis
ter" l said; "but if you will put the
money back, l will let you 60"
His intense attention of me chang
ed to look of wonder.
"You child, are you not afraid Of
me?" he asked.
"No," answered truthfully.
"But I watched you in your slecI
a moment ago, debating whether il
were necessary to kill you or not"
"You must have been glad to fine
that it was not necessary" 1 said.
He looked more astonished thar
before; but l did not stop to think Of
that.
"Put the money back" 1 said.
"No," he said, firmly" l will mur
der you first"
edo not do that" said l. 81 am
your friend. Twas sorry for you that
day"
He did not speak, but troubled
look disturbed the pale fixedness Of
his face.
GLOW much money have you
| thnra2n 7 ocka1