Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-06-05
CHAPTER XXI.
THE WRITING IN THE BIBLE.

me as a companion continues TO Watch my
movements in an extraordinary manner.
asked her this morning whether she was
paid to do it. and she replied, with detest-
able smiles, that she was only doing what
was for my good. This means so much
that shall speak to Harold about it.
al have spoken to Harold. ] told
him that the woman was watching me.
He said surely not, and seemed to ask 1t
as a question. l told him that I saw her
searching my clothes in the middle of the
night, when she supposed me to be asleep.
He said that was sufficient the woman
should be discharged and added: If
you wish it." When l replied that she
made me feel uncomfortable, he said that
he would send her away Immediately. as
there anything else you wish?" he asked. l
answered, eyes, I want my sister Margue-
rite" A strange look of remonstrance came
into his facet is handsome face, and no
man, with the exception of my father, has
ever behaved to me with so much gentleness
as he said, 81 will do everything in my
power; my only concern is that you shall be
happy" He asked me then if could not be
happy without my sister. Happy without
you, Marguerite My tears answered him.
"Write, he said, to Marguerite do not
conceal your thoughts tell her that she is
necessary to your happiness, and beg her
to come to you at once" You know
where she is. then, :" | said " there is no oc-
casion to write. Let me go to her." He
answered that he did not know where you
were, or he would take me to you /; that
he would send messenger with the letter
to where he believed my master to be, and
that the messenger himself should put his
answer in my hands. He called servant,
and gave him instructions IN my hearing,
and few moments after my letter was
written. ! saw, from my window. the
man galloping away. 1t is all SO confusing
that do not know what to think
'''The woman has gone. She said some
bitter strange things to me before she left.
She reproached me for having been the
cause OF her losing good service, and said
she knew well enough the reason why l
wished to get nd of her. You will live
to repent it, she said 81 would have
protected you" She was not allowed to
say more, for one of Harold's servants.
coming in at the time, ordered her TO be
careful with her tongue. My master is
not to be trifed with, said the servant.
81 know it, replied the woman, and turn
ing to me said, with sneering smile,
"And SO will you, my fine lady"
"'What did she mean when she said she
would have protected me? Protect me
from whom?
60 Harold sent to know whether he
might come and see me he never visits
me in my room without asking permission.
sent word back that he could come if he
wished.
"'His manners resemble those OF my
dear father; they are the manners OF a
polished gentleman. He is really one.
lyon will feel lonely, he said, without
a companion of your own sex. Snail we
find you one until Marguerite returns ?"
How grateful / was for his considerate
attention accepted it gladly, and he
then told me that young woman was wait
ing for my approval. He went to the door
and called her-a bright young creature
younger than l, whom received gladly.
Her name is Beatrice. So now, said Har-
old gaily, 1--WE shall live happy ever after
wards.
'' q fortnight has passed since the man
was sent with my letter to Marguerite
Daily have ! asked Harold about him, and
the only answer 1 receive is that he has not
returned Has Marguerite forgotten me ?
Had she sought me, surely she could have
found me. There has been no secrecy in
our movements. ] find some comfort in
that reflection we have travelled by the
most frequented roads, and have stopped at
the largest hotelsi | have been entirely
free. When Harold has had cause to sup
pose that | suspected him, he has said,
"Child, If there is any person you think
You can trust better than you trust me, 60
to him; | shall not detain you, although
shall grieve to say good-by. If you and
Marguerite were together, you would not
hesitate 20 accept me as your friend. "
"No, indeed" have replied, with regret
that should have caused him pain, but
then it would different g 1t would be
really different" he has said; but being
alone, as you are, knowing no one, and
without friends, is all the more reason why
you should place faith in gentleman of
whom you could not ask a service he would
not be eager to perform" l cannot but
believe him; indeed, situated as ! am, !
should be helpless without him.
''' Reading over what l have written,
my heart aches to find that in the last few
lines l have thrown ont reproach against
Marguerite. Forgive me, beloved sister
Too well do know your truth, your faith
fulness That should throw doubt upon
you reflects shame upon me. You could
not forget me nor can you. Wherever
you are may happiness and peace of mind
be yours j pray for you day and night
"'At noon Beatrice brought me mes
sage from Harold, requesting me to go tc
him: his messenger had returned. ran
to him so quickly that l almost tainted
from the rapid beating Of my heart. Har'
old caught me in his arms and held me til
I recovered. From his face, which was
almost as white as my own, l knew that
the news he had to tell me was bad news
Let me GO" said family, land tell me
the worst at once" But when he released