Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-27
Gales arlo Sket16es.
At rae LAST ncuR.
BIZ EDGAR FAwcErr.
Continued from Yesterday

young girl was passionaiely in love- Il
want YOU TO marry Morris Lindley," she
said. ..He shall have half my fortune
after am dead. have already made
my will in this way,'' she went OH, speak
ing what was the absolute truth. 81 have
had the will drawn up so cleverly that the
lawyers tell me those cousins Of mine can
never break it, no matter how hard they
try"
IL do not care for the money!" said
Pauline, through her starting tears
''Therc is enough Of my own for both oil
MS. But grandmamn,a-"
.'Your grandmother is The most worldly
woman on EARTH" broke in Mrs. DE Pey-
ster. '.Sbc will not let YOU marry Morris
because she believes that, though | should
make him my heir. there would be n
chance of my relatives running his claim.
She wants you TO make a grand match.
But You shall marry The man whom You
love-and who is worthy of you in every
way. You shall marry him in my house
] know the kindest Of old ministers. who
will perform The service quietly before Il
few witnesses. Come, now, Pauline.
you must not withhold your consent
Pauline almos: visibly shrank away be-
words. and the wildness in the speakers
ravaged face. She withheld her consent
on this occasion. and twice again when
Mrs. De Peyster spoke with her. But The
obduraie old woman was not disheari-
ened she felt sure of carrying her point
In the end.
And what was the plan that her somber
brain was shaping and nurturingP
should have the marriage ceremony spok-
en- over them beneath her own root, but
that one should speak it whose words
would be powerless really TO wed them.
Then she would let five years pass. Death
would spare her so long; death would
spare Anne Grosvenor. Oh. she was
sure Of that 1t was all written down by
fate. She had not seen it before. but she
saw It now. This was what she had been
waiting for so long!
When the five years had passed, she
would go TO Anne Grosvenor and tell her
the truth about the Crandchld she wor-
shipped. There would doubtless be chill
dren by that time. The blow would be
terrible; the vengeance would be mag
niicent.
And Morris Lindley. Must not the
blow fall on him likewise? Yes; but the
liberal heritage left him would compen-
safe for this. 1t was the only comlensa-
ton she could offer; was it not enough
This question, constantly recurring.
constantly siung her through the tough
resistance of her own sinister resolve.
Lindley observed with sad wonder the
change which these latter days had
wrought.
You are not well" he said. scanning
her worn, spectral face. one afternoon. n
they met IN the hall. why will you not
see locturP'
Mrs. De Peysier had just left her car
riage she was clad in bonnet and shawl
her colorless face wore strange smile.
you saw Pauline Gro-vener yes,cr-
day p she said.
Yes" was Lindley's answer.
81 saw her to-day; | have Just come
from an interview with her. She
consents. 1t will take place as
early rs she can steal away. She has
promised faithfully to come-and be mar
ried to you"
Lindley seized Mrs De Peyster's hand,
GLOW shall ! thank you?" he exclaimed.
She broke away from him with strange
haste. lie never forgot the ghoslly look
OF her face. framed in its black bonnet.
rs she now turned it toward him while as
cendng the broad staircase.
"You have no cause TO thank me-" she
said. Then she went up stairs. a little
late- her bell rang sharply. and she sum
moned her old butler into her presence.
us all ready?" she asked. You
will make no mistake ?'
The old man bowed ailirmaiivelv. His
dull old eyes were fixed upon his mis-
tress's face with dog like. yet mourniu
stare.
IL shall have the room quite DIM" said
Mrs. De Peyster. in hard. calm tones
"Your disguise will be periect-no one
can recognize you-And the marriage
service? You are sure that you have
thoroughly practiced reading it aloud ?"
For moment the old man made no
answer Then he took several quick
steps toward Mrs. De Peyster. while
stretching forth both hands in actual sup
plicaiipn.
'Oh, have pity upon that good. noble
boy!" he said. don't ask you to spare
me, for it's right You should make use of
mo as you choose. since you've stood by
me faithful these many years. and never
asked of me one extra service. But think
of him. Spare him that you love so 4. Oh.
I'm sure you love him with your whole
heart He's been TO you like sun to Il
sick plant. And now you mean TO fix \
curse upon him. "Oh. don't do it. Have
pity!"
Tears were streaming from old Mat
thew's eyes. His gray hair and aged
frame gave this grief u majesty of APP
peal. But Mrs. DE Peyster turned away
from It with clouding forhead.
"Not another word" she commanded.
y Matthew knew the voice in which she
spoke. He left the room without word.
Mrs. DE Peyster began pacing the floor.
An hour passed. and the room grew dark
Still she paced up and down. Matthew
at length came 20 announce dinner. Mr..
Lindley, he said. was dining out that
evening; there would be no one at home
save Mrs. De Peysicr herself. The
answer came. brief and decisive. from the
darkness: Il shall not dine"
Still the old lady paced on. Matthew
words were obs,inately ringing through
her brain: "Spare him that you lor,
sou
Snare him? YES. and farero the ven.