The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-07-11

pauSlnB DeIOre ner. Anu 4 promise
you it shall be the last time"
She made no reply.
1.-The last time. / mean it, Wini
fred" p.
His voice faltered. She did no,
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 q
blow. He stood looking at her, his fac G
still and desperate.
81 did not think God could make
such woman as you are" he said, al
last.
felt her shrink beneath the actual
horror with which he seemed to regard
her. But she spoke with unaltered
composure.
told you, more than year ago
that L should pay no more debts OF
yours contracted In gambling, or in any
other way" she said. Il meant it you
know that meant it. I have given you
fair warning. / shall not change"
He did not speak; his head was
dropped upon his breast; he was death
ly pale.
81 have done my duty by you, Guy
you know that I have" she added.
Yes, you have been just: but you
have never been mercifuI," he replied.
"Oh, God!" He flung up his arms
with bitter cry that wrung my heart.
1 looked at her. No; she did not re-
lent or 60 to him. He had flung him
self into a chair, and, with his head
dropped in his arms folded upon the
back, was the most hopeless figure 1
had ever seen. She rose, for had fin
ished her hair, and took seat nearer
the fire. Her lips were gray, as if she
were cold; but her face was still as in
flexible as flint.
He gave groan and started up sud-
denly.
IL am going" he said. Il" He
met her eye and asked, "Why do you not
kill me? 1 was altogether in your hands
once. You killed her, you will re-
member"
A slight flush stained her cheek.
you would have made her happy,
suppose, if she had lived" she said, sar-
castically. But the sting did not seem
to reach him.
IF she had lived? Oh, heaven, if she
had lived! Winifred, may God deal by
you as you have dealt by me-"
Il am wiling" she answered.
He remained but moment longer.
Wrapping his cloak about him, he gave
her one look of reproach, and left the
room. 1 looked wistfully at her; she
did not speak to me, and I, too, went
away.
She was i'll the next day; but on the
following day she appeared much as
usual.
Of all that thought and felt, I, of
course, said nothing. The matter was
no affair of mine. If 1 had not under
stood it, Mrs. Maltby would have made
me feel it. L understood that the two
were brother and sister-that the young
man was named Guy Sedley-that he
was dissolute and in disgrace that Mrs.
Maltby had taken care of him in boy
hood, bat now ignored the relationship.
l was in no way allowed to learn any
more.
But on that second night I was awak-
ened by light shining into my chamber.
1t was something unusual, for the little
clock on the mantle was Ginning II.
After moment, 1 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
velvet OF the carpet. / don't know |
whom expected to see-certainly not |
Guy Sedley, kneeling before sandal
wood chest, with papers strewn around |
him on the floor A taper burning on
The mantel showed his face perfectly
,ool as he went on searching for some
hing.
He must have come through my room
% reach the apartment, for it had no
opening but into my chamber. 1 was
'ware that the papers in the chest were
valuable; that there was money placed
here. L saw that he was robbing his
lister.
l saw, too, dirkknife on the floor.
lose at his side. i
looked at him an instant-even then
remembered to pity him-then glided
onward, snatched the knife, and leaped
Jack to the door. / was mistress of
he situation, for had come from be-
lind him, done all as in flash, and, as
lie rose to his feet, 1 stood with calm
less that showed it was not my inten-
ion to Immediately arouse the house.
With presence of mind equal to
nv own, he put the roll of bank notes
lie had been searching for into the
'ocket of his waistcoat, and, with a
eye, regarded me speculative
y. was petite, and had not screamed.
know, now, that he was not much
fraid of me.
You have been robbing your sister,"
said; but if you will put the money
ack 1 will let you CO."
His intense attention of me changed
D look of wonder.
You child, are you not afraid of
le?" he asked
"No," answered, truthfully.
I" But 1 watched you in your sleep, a |
loment ago, debating whether it we're
ecessary to kill you or not"
You must have been glad to find
nat it was not necessary" said.