Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-09-04

been just to youi would like to be rner.
ciful I will give you the money"
"You!"
II have it-yes- here In my room. Let
me show you"
81 flung open the door, next to my
writing-desk. and came back to him
"These Will give you freely" said.
opening the roll Of notes. You said 10
her that it should be the last time, an d |
hope"
lie had taken the notes into his hand.
looking at them in kind of unbelies ing
way.
You may hope that yon have saved
me-" he said, in low voice.
Va We're silent for moment.
"You know now that was very sorry
for you," said, with tears in my eyes.
"Yes," he said, gravely; "and love you
for it,
He put Mrs. Maltby's money back and
rearranged the chest. began to listen,
nerously, for voices about the house;
but all was very still. He locked the
chest and gave me the key.
"You know where II Is keptY'
"Yes; in drawer in her dressing
room" wondered how he had obtained
It, Hasten and get away
There is no danger; made my way
hither carefully. Pure, brave little
girl. how fearless you are for yourselfI'
He looked at me earnestly, as IL he
wished to carry away clear memory Of
my features; then he wrapped his cloak
about him, flung up the sash, and leapt
soundlessly out into the darkness. / eI-
tinguished the taper. and crept back to
bed. did not hear a sound about the
house until daybreak.
When | arose saw the dirk knife gilt
tering in the sunshine near my writing
desk where had lain it. Then | shud-
dered.
A year later was the mistress Of Red
burn; the beautiful house, the spacious
grounds We're all mine. Mrs. Maltby
had died and bequeathed them to me.
On her dying bed she said, Violet you
are my heiress There is only one living
being who has my blood in his vsinsj
him disown." She paused, and then
went on: "You have seen my brother.
loved him; was ambitious for him.
but his natural bent was evil. We had
o cousin Flora q child. who was brought
up with him. They were engaged to be
married. But forbade it. l revealed
to her his dissipation. told her of his
debts and deeds of daring. She loved
him, she trusted him,-but she was deli
cate, and died. He says ! killed her"
She grew pale, even past her dying
pallor. She went on, "When I saw him
last, the officers of justice were after
him; he was o defaulter He had stolen
money to pay his gambling debts. He
is probably lying in Jail nowj but will
have none Of him. was just to him,
and will never forgive him"
$50 she died, hard as flint to the
last. And was mistress of Redburn.
II was young. Twas fond of gaiety.
had now the means at my disposal.
Every summer my house was filled with
guests. In the winter was in London
or abroad. And yet lived only on the
interest Of the money bestowed upon
me.
Three years passed. had never heard
q word Of Guy Sedley, when, one day.
the Bromleys of London, who We're com.
ing to visit me, asked leave to bring
friend; extended the solicited invita-
ton, and Guy Sedley came. 1t was
shock; but he gave no token Of the past.
Reclaimed from his errors, he was so re-
fined and manly that he was the most dis
tinguished of my guests.
loved him. but thought, "He must
hate me. the usurper of his rights. He
is poor because Ihaye his patrimony. l
have no right TO Redburn, and l will not
keep it. Twill give it back to him."
An opportunity came. He was sitting
on the terrace one bright evening.
went and took seat near him.
"How lovely this view is |" he eI-
claimed. pointing toward the distant
hills.
"Yes, and you shall wish for your
right no longer, Mr.. Sedley. Redburn is
yours. have no claim to it." He did
not speak, and went on: "Your sister
was just. And she would have made you
the heir if she had lived to See you
what you are to-day"
"But it was your mercy, not her JUS
tice, Miss Sedley, that saved me. Violet,
love you, and will take Rsdburn with
your hand, not else"
put my hand in his, trusting him,
loving him utterly, and proud very
proud to make him the master of Red
burn. Nor have ever regretted it.