Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-03-06
CHAPTER. VIII.

but the tapping grew louder and the per-
son outside began to shake the door to
rouse me. Then | asked who was there,
and was answered in a woman's voice,
which l recognized as that of an elderly
servant kind of housekeeper as [ sup
posed, who had attended to us and brought
US our meals the day before.
"' What do you want? 1 asked.
Let me in, cried the woman; let
nae in immediately
"Clarice was asleep. Irose, and throw
ing the large cloak over me, went to. the
door. But as | was about to turn the key
suspicion of l knew not what entered
my mind. | had no time to follow out
the current of my suspicion the door was
shaken with greater violence.
"' For heavens sake = 1 cried, cease
that noise. What is it you want p
Sc must speak to you at once.
Are you alone?'
"' Yes Who should be with me, do
you think
g reflected moment. There was no
reason to suppose that the woman was an
enemy. Her proceedings were open enough.
What had [ to fear from her? | opened
the door, and she entered. | had hitherto
taken no particular notice of her, but now
observed her more closely, being enabled
to do so by the aid of the light which she
LII 7
stantly that she was woman it would not
be safe to trust.
This is strange time of the night to
call me, | said what is the meaning
of it?
{" You are inclined to be saucy, mis-
tress, she said, lnsolently.
81 interrupted her. You said you must
speak to me at once. What have you to
say to me?'
"' What was hidden to say she re-
piled, maliciously playing with my anxiety.
60 Bidden by whom? q
"' By your master. She paused in the
expectation of my speaking, but said
nothing, and waited for her to proceed.
Yes, by your master-and the other gen
tlemen.
"' Who are the other gentlemen
"'The gentlemen who are with him,
and who paid for your performance to-
night. You are to come down at once
with me, you and your sister.
60 What are you about to do !? l said,
standing before her to prevent her from
going to the bed. 4 viii not have my
sister disturbed
&c You are a grand missl You'll not have
this and you'll not have that Be sensi
ble-there's no time to lose Dress your
Selves the pair of you. 1t will be worse
for you if you make bother about it,.
'''Why should we get up in the middle
of the night? What are we called upon
to do p
60 My DEAR said the woman, and her
tone of confident familiarity made me shud-
der. Gentlemen get curious notions in
their heads sometimes, and it is not always
safe to cross them. They want you to
dance and sing for them.
''At this hour I exclaimed in indig-
nation. Indeed, shall do no such thing
&c You speak with an air, mistress
Your master said you would most likely
refuse
"' He was right for once. 1 do refuse.
"' And he babe me tell you, continued
the woman, ''that if you did not obey his
orders, he should come and fetch you him.
self
"'If he dare
Sc | think he Will dare mistress He is
not man l should care to anger, and in
his present temper I'll not answer for what
may happen if you are foolish and OBJ
stinate
al do not need your advice. l shall
not 60
shall tell himF
"' Yes and say there is no law that can
compel us to work for him in the middle !
of the night.
1.-The woman laughed There is rich |
mans law and poor mans law. Call your
sister, and do as you are bid
90 shall not allow my sister to be
awakened, said, resolutely. You have
nay answer
4" Think twice, Mistress
90 You have my answer. Go, or l will
put You cut.
sGs V,,, ara a da+arrniDad cra.t,,ro s,;d
the woman, young as you are; but you
are not strong enough. If 1 were as fair as
YOU and that chick there, 1 should be glad
OF the opportunity of pleasing two fine
gentlemen. One of them is worth while
winning. Tut, tut, mistress don't look
black at me, and don't try to make your
self out better than you are. Girls ike
yourself are not over particular-'
"sLeave the room' l cried, passion
ateIy. Her insults almost maddened me,
and there must have been that in my face
which must have frightened her, for she
disappeared swiftly, without speaking
another word.
"rhe moment she was gone closed the
door upon her, with the intention of lock-
ing it, and not opening it again till day
light. But the key was gone l searched
for it on the floor it was not there. Could
the woman have taken it, in accordance
with instructions given to her by our mas
ter, or had she done so out OF malice'
81 listened. All was silent. and 1 was
in the dark. At such time darkness was
my enemy, light my friend. was certain
that my master would come Immediately