The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-07-11
SAVED.
BY e. b. W.

Miss Violet, will you give this lette,
to Mrs. Maltby?"
L had my hands full of drawing ma.
terials; but L received the letter, and
continued on my way to Mrs. Maltby's
dressing room.
The drawings were little studies bad
made while down at the seaside, where
L had spent my vacation; made for
Mrs. Maltby- to whom had been "com-
panion" for a year-and Mrs. Maltby
had been interested in them, saying
"Tnuch them up a bit, Violet, and /
will get portfolio for them and keep
them"
L usually sat with her, in her dress
ing-room, through the morning. And
thther L now repaired to touch up the
drawings, while she sat with her slip
pered feet on the fender, embroidering
with purple and crimson woods.
L gave her the letter, and went to a
low seat in the deep bay-window. 1
sharpened pencil, and then happened
to glance toward my companion. Her
face was ashy white. Her profile was
turned toward me. In its regularity
and pallor it looked like face cut in
stone. But had never seen it look so
sharp and deathly. The letter was
clenched in her hand. I had brought
her bad news.
was shocked, but silent. 1 tried to
remember what 1 knew of her family
relations. She was handsome, black
haired woman of so, who had been
early widowed, and returned to her
fathers house. Her parents We're dead.
her mother had died in her infancy.
and she had been the mistress of Red
burn Hall ever since. 1t was not long.
however, since her fathers decease.
She had never had child. She had
no brothers or sisters whom had ever
heard of. l could not surmise what
had happened. 1 saw her burn the let
ter; and then she rose and left the
room.
Afterward 1 guessed whom that COM
munication was from.
A week passed. They were quiet
and comfortable, but rather monotonous
weeks, at Redburn. But, though
Young, L was less restless than most
girls L was not unhappy with Mrs.
Maltby. Only sometimes I wished for
"a little change.
It came-a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-Mrs.
Ma'tby's lawyer and personal friend
cerom town. was dressing her hair. as
sometimes did, for she liked my ar
ran Sements-pronouncing them artistic. |
Suddenly, without knock or warning.
sthe door was flung open, and young
imam walked in.
1 felt Mrs. Maltby start under nv
hands 1, myself, was frightened-the |
intruder looked so bold and reckless.
tie was very handsome; but he seemed
go me to have been travelling long, or to
have come out of some revel. His linen |
was soiled, his long, clustering hair un-
brushed, his eyes bloodshot. Yet his
appearance was singularly attractive. / |
had never before seen SO high-bred and |
graceful man.
Mrs. Maltby did not speak to him.
Tile seated himself before and not far
from her, however.
Gro on, Violet" she said.
" Certainly, let the young lady pro-
coed with her task" he said, quickly.
" What have to say need not interfere
with her employment. 1 understand
that she is your companion and con-
fidante, though 1 have not had the
pleasure of meeting her before"
The last sentence appeared to have
been quite mechanically spoken, for he
had fixed his eyes fercely upon Mrs.
Maltby's face, and seemed to see only
her | went on, pinning up the braids
OF Eer hair as | had been bid; but nv
haude trembled. [ could not see her
race, but 1 think she met that look
You refused me-" he said. in far
tone from that in which he
bad az first spoken, low ano concen-
trated.
Certainly" she answered.
Do you want my blood upon your
head ?" he exclaimed.
i washed my hands clear of you long
t9o," she answered, omposedly. |,
Long ago." he repeated, and wave
of emotion that was inexplicable to me
went over his face.
Then he was silent. don't know
why, but from that moment 1 pitied
him. He got up, and commenced walk &
ing the floor.
I" tell you, Winifred, must have
this money" he said. " L must have it,
and tonight, tonight" he repeated. !
Mrs. Maltby was silent. / caught q
glimpse of her face. Flint was not
harder. ii