Daily Republican., 1884-02-29

BY ALFRED YOUNG.

| i uhVo question " ASA yOu.
1t was the young widower, Horace
Maynard, who spoke, and the nest,
pretty waiting maid paused upon the
threshold Of the library with respectful
slacrity.
The gentleman had unexpectedly re.
turned that evening 10 hts palstisl
country ssat from the city whittier he
had gone to pass the winter In search OF
society and change OF scene, leaving his
little six. year. old daughter In charge Of
her governess at Shorthills.
It WAS nearly nine . clock and Horace
Maynard, chilled TO the bone by his
long drive from the station, had thrown
himself into q deep easy chair before
the library fire and ordered the maid,
who hal given him admittence, to bring
him glass Of wine.
| Having discharged the order, the girl
was about 70 retire end leave her master
to his thoughts and comfort, when he
detained her by uttering the words
above chronicled.
She paused, took few backward
steps, and fixed look of inquiry upon
the gentleman.
"You have said that my daughter
and Miss Holly are both we'll ?" be
asked.
"Quite we'll, sir. Little Miss Eleanor
never seemed better, and Miss Holly IL
as silent and sad a. ever.
Has everything gone well during my
absence ?"
Quite well, sir"
Have there been any visitors
callers ?"
"No, sir ;-er-tbat If, yes. One
gentleman.
To SOC me?"
"No, SIR" displaying some slight
confusion of manner.
For whom, then 2"
Miss Holly, sir"
"Miss Holly % His white hands
gripped the velvet arms Of his chair
with sudden intensity II thought she
had no friends, scarcely an scquaint-
ance )" then suddenly checking him.
self, be added with enforced compo.
sure "If Miss Holly has not reti red,
will you ask her TO come to me ?'
The maid was about TO retire, when
9 ,e said:
"rhe strange gentleman and Miss
Holly seemed 10 have some trouble
He talked In very loud voice and
seemed 10 threaten her. Poor Miss
Holly WAS quite Ill after he left"
Enough % was the impetuous re-.
10 nder; task Miss Holly to come to
me "
Left to himself, Horace Maynard
no slight excitement.
"What does 1t mean ?" he muttered |;
"what mystery has she in her life :?
Six months ago should not have cared
what she did. Now she Is all to me,
| love her, and she shall"
"You sent for me, Mr.. Maynard o.
The low, meloiious tones interrupted
bis bitter revelie wit ID q p 9 tive shock.
H, turned, and the frown upon his
handsome face gave place to Q CLEAN of
admiration and delight.
The spell OF her presence had dissi-
pated every vestige of suspicion, as
boar frost willis before the ardent kisses
of the sun.
He saw standing, hesitating and
downcast, before him rarely beautiful
and stately woman In the full tide of
her perfection.
Her sweeping costume Of simple
black set of the exquisite contour OF
her figure and threw into bold relief
the marble.like pallor Of her lovely
features.
miss Holly" Maynard exclaimed,
advancing with outstretched hands,
my arrival must be unexpected t.
you. Ha e you no word of welcome
tor nc 2"
| She drew back In shuddering sur.
prise, but could not escape giving him
one slender, ice-cold hand to press.
| Having possessed himself of that
hand, Horace Maynard drew her into
the room and seated her upon divan,
dropping down beside her in true lover
like fashion
She grew paler, If that " ere possible,
and sat trembling like an aspen.
| Without noticing her emotion, May
nard continued
Miss Holly-Alice, look into my
eyes, read my innost soul Tell me,
can you not guess why have jour
neyed back here in the depths Of win
ter 90
~ cannot" she faltered, "unless to
see your child"
Alice, the city is empty, the whole
world void, unless l am with you!'
"Mr. Maynard"
"Nr, no! Listen to me! Alice, l
love you! ! cannot live without you
| love you, and would make you my"
She snatched her hand from his clasp
and staggered to her feet.
"Oh, silence |" she crie,l, pitifully.
ado not speak to me like that! You
have DO right ! As Heaven Is myjudge,
you do me wrong! cannot be your
wife,
"Alice "
He sprang to his feet, and as he did
so she fled toward the open door.
As she reached the threshold dark
form-the form Of a man-loomed b.
fore her, and with piercing shrek,
Miss Holly recoiled and graspeda chair
for support.
GOOD evening"" said the intruder,
with calm suavity. "Alice, my dear,
present me to your friend"
Bristling with anger and fury at this
piece of impudence, Horace Maynard
Exclaimed
"Who are you, sir?"
"Who am 2" retoried the stranger.
Enlighten him, Alice; tell him who
| am"
MAYNARD turned his flashing eyes
upon the shrinking governess, all his
worst suspicious ablaze in a moment
"Speak, Miss Holly! !" he demanded.
"WhO il this man? %
In low, scarcely audible voice, the
answer came:
"He is my husband"
"Your husband! My God !"
In the interval of dead silence that
ensued the intruder strobe into the room
and bowed.
Having stared at the unfortunate
woman for some moments he said:
"Three nights ago l came here to de-
mand money from that woman. She
lHatl u refnsed To give me anY Had she