Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-01-12

ner hand, which she shook into the soup,
and then threw it into the fire.
That's the red pepper; it will do
now said she, taking up spoonful
and making believe to taste but she did
not. stitched on for minute or two,
though my blood was running cold, and
boiling of the soup in the large, quiet
kitchen, sounds through my head some
times even now,
Mrs. Williams was standing at tho
window, with her back to me- never
knew what made me do it; but it was
as if somebody had hidden me and
without a word or thought but that it
must be done, | ran to the fire, gave the
saucepan poke, and sent the soup
blazing up the chimney. AS it fzzled
up, the thought Of her anger came over
NE; | knew not what did but utter
ing a wild cry of fear, rushed to the
nearest door, aud it was the best parlor.
The next thing remember is cronching
behind the gentleman. who had started
up and stood in the door, as Mrs. Will
liams came forward with two knives,
which had been lying on the window
sill, in her hand
Pooh, never mind the spilling Of tho
soup" said he, understanding ut once
what | had done, which indeed was
easily seen. "You would not be angry
with the child for that; she could not
help it, | dare say | can dine without
it. You don't know me, Mrs. Will
liams," he continued coming step nearer
to where she stood, still looking at me
with deadly glitter il her eyes.
Don't II" said she. and think sho
was trying which one of the knives was
the sharpest
"Well," said the gentleman, 'you
may know me to be Edward Winstanley,
but you don't know that ! married your
daughter, aud brought her home II lady.
| never meant to act the william with
her We were privately married, but
while the old man lived it had been
kept secret, and we Knew you would
not keep it, This is why | came to-day
to surprise you; but you will come to
Winstanlcy Park to give us your bless
ing. BY Joye, ma'am, you're not going
to faint p
She had staggered back against tho
wall, her white lips set, aud her eyes
growing CLASSY. He and |. and half u
dozen of the servants, whom my scream
had brought in, ran to help, but sho
pushed us away with a desperate effort,
darted up stairs, and we heard her lock
own room The whole house was terri
bly, frightened What Mr. Wnstanley
thought do not know, but he asked
me no questions, aud never seemed to
suspect anything about the spilled soup.
He left note for Mrs Williams, and
went off with servant a little before
sunset We all went about our business,
for work never Stacked in that house on
any account, and the evenings coach was
expected. just before it came, Mrs.
Williams bell rang. aud the housemaid
said she wanted me- When | came into
the room she was sitting at the desk,
looking like herself again, but her face
was still white, and she had her long
knitted purse full of guinoas in her
hand
Mary" said she, "you are good
girl-takc this and 60 home--Pll take
care that you get no blame"
II want no money, ma'am," said |,
"but III go home if you will let me,
and never say word except TO my
father and mother
She held out the purse once more, and
then pointed TO the door. but could say
nothing; it must have been hard pull
for her proud spirit. | got out Of the
room as quick as could, threw on my
hat and cloak, and got into the coach as
soon as it came up, leaving trunk and
all behind me.
Ny father and mother were nightly
surprised when it set me down at their
door at Chatford, just MS the clock struck
twclve--thcy we're still more astonisbeJ
when | told them what brought mo
home. My father first called me a
brave good girl, and then advised me
not to be proud about it, because it was
the work Of Providence and we were
bound on all hands to keep such story
quiet about Farmer Diekson's relations.
The story was kept between me and
yhem but my homecoming got wind,
and Farmer Dielssfn came in great
furry to know wby<3Tary had left her
good situation. Mysmothor would not
haze reflections cassshn her child. so she
told him in the parlor, and what be said
| don't know. because the door was fast
shut; but he came out rubbing his hands
and clapped me on on tho back, saying
"By jing, You are a fine girl, Mary, and
If Harry don't finish that business, I'll
mako you be Mrs. Dickson myself"
think have not much more TO tell
Harry did not finish the business. There
were some people 10 our village that
never got over the wonder Of it; but |
am proud to say the Dickson family did
not lose by me, for ten years after Mrs.
Williams died in her inn, and left prop
crty in equal shares between me and her
daughter Lady Winstanley. She had
never gone to the Park but once, and
then she would never eat, drink, nor
sleep in the house, but saw her daughter
and grandson, now heir to the estate
and then went straight back to tho
Golden Shcaf.
| She never took another girl to stay
with her, and what she said about my
leaving, | never heard. The maids said
one thing which inclined to think
might be truc---tliat she never liked to
make ee-soup after, nor cared to look at