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

I
speak.
-Will your
"No." she replied. with no emotion
whatever.
His face had been working with some
strong. deep feeling But that mono
syllable seemed to strike him like blow.
He stood looking at her, his face still and
desperate.
Il did not think God could make such
woman as You are" he said at last.
felt her shrink beneath the actual
horror with which he seemed to regard
her. But she spoke with unaltered COM
posure.
Il told you, more than year ago, that
should pay no more debts of yours
contracted in gambling. or in any other
way" she said. 81 meant it; you know
that meant it. l have given you fair
warning. shall not change"
He did not speak; his head was dropped
upon his breast; he was deathly pale.
81 have done my duty by you, Guy
you know that have" she added.
"Yes, you have been just; but you
have never been merciful," he replied
"oh. God" He flung up his arms with
bitter cry that wrung my heart.
Hooked at her. No; she did not rc-
lent or go to him. He had flung him
self into a chair, and, with his head
dropped into his arms folded upon the
back. was the most hopeless figure had
ever seen. She rose. for had finished
her hair, and took a seat nearer the fire.
Her lips were gray, as if she were cold;
but her face was still as inheIible as
Aint.
He gave a grosn, and started up sud-
denly.
Il am going" he said i" He
met her eye and asked. "Why do you not
kill lmel Twas altogether in your hands
once. You killed her, you will re-
member"
A slight flush stained her cheek.
.You would have made her happy I
suppose, if she had lived" she said. sar
casticslly. But the sting did not seem
10 reach him.
''If she had lived? Oh, heaven. II she
had lived Winifred. may God deal by
you as you have dealt by me.
Il am willing" she answered.
-,
Wrapping his cloak about him, he gave
her one look of reproach, and left the
room. looked wistfully at her; she did
not speak to me. and |. too. went away.
"She was i'll the next day; but on the
following day she appeared much n
usual.
OF all that | thought and felt !, OF
course. said nothing The matter was
no affair Of mine. understood that the
two were brother and sister-thst the
young man was named Guy Sedley-that
he was dissolute and in disgrace-thst
Mrs Maltby had taken care Of him in
boyhood, but now ignored the relation
ship. was in no way allowed to learn
any more.
But ON the second night was awak-
ened by hight 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 glided toward the open door. The
long, embroidered folds of my night
dress nearly tripped me up; but | made
no noise with my bare feet upon the
deep velvet Of the carpet. don't know
know whom | expected to see-certain-
ly not Guy Sedley, kneeling before
sandal-wood chest, with papers strown
around him on the floor. 4 taper burn
ing on the mantle showed his face per-
fectly cool as he went on searching for
something. He must have come through
my room TO reach the apartment, for it
had no opening but into my chamber.
Twas aware that the papers in the chest
were valuable; that there was money
placed there. saw that he was robbing
his sister.
~ saw, too, dirk-knife on the floor,
close at his side.
looked at him an instant-even then,
remembered 10 pity him-then glided
forward, snatched the knife. and leapt
back to the door. was mistress of the
situation; for had come from behind
him, and done all as in fash; and as he
rose to his feet, stood with ealmness
that showed that it was not my intention
to immediately arouse the house.
With a presence Of mind equal to my
own. he put the roll of bank notes he
had been searching for into the pocket
of his wsistcoat, and with 8 glittering
eye regarded me speculatively. was
petite and had not screamed. / know,
now, that he was not much afraid Of
me. =
you have been robbing your sister,
l said; "but if you will put the money
back will let you 60"
His intense attention of me changed TO
q look Of wonder.
"You child, are you not afraid Of me7"