The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-05-10

"What is the matter7 Have they
found me out2 Mrs. Young is so cold
to me and for all Mr.. Toms so polite
and smiling, I feel hes Watching me all
the time. God help me- A falsehood
always brings its own punishment but
if ever q girl was tempted -
Poor Maggie thought all this to her
self, dusting the parlor mantelpiece the
while as if her life depended on it. A
few hot tears would fall now and then.
"I've great mind to confess, and
ease my heart of this load. If only
Milly!"
"sirl |" said Maggie, turning, with q
great start in the direction Of the voice.
Then she recollected herself, turned
scarlet and pale by turns, but braced
herself as only woman can when on her
self-defense, and said, quietly: "Did
you call, sir 2"
Yes, and you answered." said Tom,
coming forward. His voice had pleas
ant, half humorous tone, but there was
a gleam in his eve that was almost q
threat. Not less defiant shone the light
i'll the blue eyes looking back into his,
though she dropped them Immediately,
with a simple:
"Did you wish anything, sir7"
con her guard" thought Tom.
"What the deuce has made her sus-
pect2 She looked fit to murder me jus
now. Aloud he said, carelessly: "Oh,
nothing. 1 run down to Westbrook to-
day, and as your uncle lives there -
Maggie's face grew deathly white.
She turned away without word.
"As your uncle lives there" Tom
went on, pretending not to notice, "I
thought you might like to send some
word"
"Thank you; I won't trouble you,
sir" said Mas gle, i'll a cold, haug ghty
voice.
ooh, no trouble" said Tom, cheer
fully. "Shall I tell him you are well
and happy 2"
"You needn't tell him anything" +"
said Maggie, some irritation mingling
with her alarm.
"Howl not q word to the old gentle
man What an undutiful niece you are,
Maggie p
Maggie struggled moment with her
tears, then took refuge in anger.
can manage my own affairs, sir,
and send messages when I choose.
Please leave me alone"
Tom stood silent moment, then said.
in tone of cool surprise: "Oh, very
well, If that's the way you feel. Excuse
me for asking you." And with brief
good morning he went out, very hot and
angry inwardly, and more than ever de-
tcrmined to find the mystery out.
Maggie clasped her hands with look
of utter despair.
"How cruel he isl wouldn't have
thought it of him. Oh, that wicked lie,
and stupid lie, too; for how could
think to pass for her niece? And I'm
sure she hasn't told her brother. It's
but two weeks since I came here. Oh
dear, oh dear what shall do2"
"Tom, how late you are Make haste
and dress yourself. Dinner will be
ready directly, and we have company,
you know"
"What company have you 70 asked
Tom, pausing. He looked pale and
much disturbed, but his aunt scarcely
noticed this in her haste.
'Oh, only the Shaws, and friend of
theirs from Boston, Mrs. Peters. Run
up and dress yourself. I will delay din
'>h ~ Az" iAohlOhOcs AuOIS LII u WILLS
per: "Maggie has done systematically
all day, I do hope she's all right.
"Humph i'' muttered Tom, under his
breath, as he turned away. Halfway
mp stairs he met Maggie, who had
escaped from her work few moments
to change her dress. She was very pale.
1t was easy to see she had been crying q
0no1 1nol 1,r1f Il. L
looked prettier, Tom thought. Her
dress of blue and white striped calico
was becoming to her fair complexion.
She wore jaunty white apron, and
bright blue ribbons at her throat and
round her pretty head. She started
with a half frightened exclamation as
she met Tom but he only gave her n
cool little nod, and passed on. The
poor child felt her heart swell almost to
breaking. Tom had always been so
kind, so civil, to her. She had grown
to like him 80 much and now this
young fellow, but six years her senior,
seemed turned into her inexorable
Judge. She hurried on as fast as she
could, pausing moment on the kitchen
stairs to wipe away her binding tears.
AS for Tom, he dressed himself in a
half savage mood, feeling the stern
satisfaction common to us poor mortals
when intent on doing our duty" by
some unfortunate fellow creature who
has offended us. How much boyish
vanity and self-importance was mixed
up with this feeling is difficult to tell.
We only know that Tom kept repeating
to himself, in an excited manner, that
"she Maggie, presumably should
''hear of it before the day was out.
He would say nothing to his aunt-at
least as yet-but that little jade should
know her wickedness was discovered,
and confess everything to him, Tom
Fox, or he'd know the reason why.