The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-07-10
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SAVED.
BY E. B. W.

miss Violet, will you give this letter
to Mrs. Maltby?"
I had my hands full of drawing ma.
terials; but | received the letter, and
continued on my way to Mrs. Maltby's
dressing room.
The drawings were little studies I bad
made while down at the seaside, where
l had spent my vacation; made for
Mrs. Maltby- to whom I had been "com-
panion" for 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"
usually sat with her, in her dress
ing-room, through the morning. And
thither [ now repaired to touch up the
drawings, while she sat with her slip
pered feet on the fender, embroidering
with purple and crimson woods.
1 gave her the letter, and went to a
low seat in the deep bay-window.
sharpened pencil, and then happened
to glance toward my companion. Her
face was ashy white. Her profile was
turned toward me. In it's 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 I tried to
remember what 1 knew of her family
relations. She was a handsome, black
haired woman of so, who had been
early widowed, and returned to her
fathers house. Her parents were dead.
Her mother had died in her infancy,
and she had been the mistress of Red
burn Hall ever since. It was not long,
however, since her fathers decease.
She had never had child. She had
no brothers or sisters whom I had ever
heard Of I could not surmise what
had happened. saw her burn the let
ter; and then she rose and left the
room.
Afterward I guessed whom that COM
munication was from.
A week passed. They were quiet
and comfortable, but rather monotonous
weeks, at Redburn. But, though
young, [ was less restless than most
girls. I was not unhappy with Mrs.
Maltby. Only sometimes I wished for
a little change.
1t came-a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-Mrs.
Malthy's lawyer and personal friend
from town. I was dressing her hair, as
sometimes did, for she liked my ar
rangements-p ronouncing them artistic.
Suddenly, without knock or warning,
che door was flung open, and young
man walked in.
felt Mrs. Maltby start under my
hands. [, myself, was frightened the
intruder looked so bold and reckless.
He was very handsome; but he seemed
to me to have been travelling long, or to
have come out of some revel. His linen
was soiled, his long, clustering hair I'M
brushed, his eyes bloodshot. Yet his
appearance was singularly attractive. I
had never before seen so high bred and
graceful man.
Mrs, Maltby did not speak to him.
He seated himself before and not far
from her, however.
wv OIL V lOlSU, Su0 Sh1u.
Certainly, let the young lady pro-
coed with her task he said, quickly.
What have to say need not interfere
with her employment. I understand
that she is your companion and con-
fdante, though l have not bad 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 her hair as I had been bid; but my
hands trembled could not see her
lace, but I think she met that look
steadily.
You refused me-" he said. in far
different tone from that in which he
had at first spoken, low an6 concen-
trated.
Certainly" she answered.
"Do you want my blood upon your
head?' he exclaimed.
q washed my hands clear of you long
ago." she answered, composedly.
"Long ago." he repeated, and a wave
of emotion that was inexpEcable to me
went over his face.
Then he was silent. l don't know
why, out from that moment I pitied
him. He got up, and commenced walk
ing the floor.
"I tell you, Winifred, I must have
this money" he said. Il must have it,
and tonight, tonight" he repeated.
Mrs Maltby was silent. caught a
glimpse of her face. Flint was not
harder.