The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-06-27

| could not cry, though | would have
given worlds to do it. She held my hand
and talked on She wanted me to come to
her that very day.
[ tried to speak, to tell her about the
ring, but could not Much as | longed
to, the words would not frame themselves;
| only sat still, with my lips moving in a
vain attempt to articulate, shaking like a
leaf from head to foot
She detained me till past noon, doing
most of the talking, though she managed
very delicately to relate some details of the
past year.
But did not want to weary her. All
the while | was yearning to tell her my
wretched secret, and | could not. The
money [ must have the money to re-
deem the ring How could ask What
could | say ?"
II don't know what you will think, [
burst out at last, "Ive debt to settle, and
l must have ten pounds, if possible, this
very day Oh don't know what"
She checked me by laying her finger on
my lips, then went out of the room, and
when she returned handed me sealed en-
velope, saying:
HPut that in your pocket, my dear I'm
such forgetful mortal that if | don't hand
you the first quarters salary now and here
| might not remember it at all. y
'Even my thanks sounded SO stiff that
[ blushed with shame. [ stammered some
thing about the state of my wardrobe.
"Easily remedied- very easily, she said,
pleasantly "Now | shall let you go, in
order that | may the sooner have you back.
Can you be here by four o'clock ? That's
right [ want you to take carriage
home you look tired Tell the man to
come back for you little before four, re-
member.
I would not let her send for a carriage
however, and got up to take my leave. Sud
denly my ice apathy broke up. sobbed
like child. She soothed me into quiet,
but I went away without telling my secret
it would not be uttered.
[ still had the pawnbroker's ticket in my
pocket-hook. | went to the place at once.
/ Mr.. Lindon himself received me- He was
perfectly uninquisitive and indifferent I
opened the envelop to take out the money
and found twenty-five pounds to my sur
prise, instead of ten.
With the ring in my possession I hur-
ried to Mrs. Lawrenee's, told her everything
that had happened, and received her warm
congratulations.
II am not bit surprised, she said. II
told you it was borne in upon me that
you'd got to the end of your troubles.
Ipacked my slender wardrobe, and mean
time consulted with Mrs. Lawrence as to
how | should get the ring to the place des-
ignated in the advertisement We decided
that Willie should run for cab, and be-
fore going to Mrs. Morley's house I should
drive to Mr. Stuart's office. Willie was to
accompany me as far as there and leave the
package put the ring in the box and
sealed it up, and the plan was easily carried
into execution.
That night I slept as if l had suddenly
been transplanted to new world. 1t was
not until the cheerful evening had ended
and [ was alone in the luxurious nest pro-
vided for me that even remembered how
strange it was for woman of Mrs, Nor
ley's age and experience, no matter how
good hearted, to take one so entirely on
trust as she had me.
In spite of possessing Mr.. Howard s
letter I might easily have been an impostor
have disappeared with her money. The
next few days, however, brought reaction.
I felt singularly languid and disinclined to
exertion.
1 slept badly and had little appetite
mentally and bodily I was wrecked. | did
not complain. OF course Mrs Morley
could not know that this was not my ordi-
nary manner At last was forced to give
in and go to bed and allow doctor to be
sent for. He said at once that my attack
was in measure malarial, hut that was suf.
fering also from the reaction after pro-
longed mental worry and anxiety.
'Slight wonder he added, when he
heard my story, "after all you have lived
through"
7 have no words TO describe Mrs. Nor
ley's kindness and that of faithful old
servant of her household. If | had been
her daughter I could not have received
more attention or been more petted.
She spent great deal of her time in my
room while was confined in bed but
luckily that lasted only a little while
though I was too weak to do more, even
after | got better, than dress and move
about the chamber. | saw no one; but |
heard about visitors, and her grandson
Basil, who was evidently the joy and pride
of her heart. He had been to Liverpool
she told me, and was preparing to go on
the Continent on business, which would
detain him for several months.
Mrs. Morley was very sorry could moi
see him, and he used to send me pleasant
messages by her. She talked so much
about him that | felt | almost knew him
He sailed finally before [ was able to gel
down stairs My dear protectress was sore;
ly grieved at his departure, though she was
good enough to say that my society would
be great comfort to her during his alb.
sence.
When I had recovered | tried my best tf
fulfill my duties, to show nay gratitude and
! dppfGCldUlOI4 vi Gil5 kiHuuccS idu iSoO4NON
But always there lay at my heart the loac
of that wretched secret, and always / re,
gretted bitterly [ had not told it frankly the
first morning | entered the house.
Soon after my recovery [ received nott
from Mrs. Lawrence She had been aidet
by kind friends to procure another house
and she was really prosperipg, of which
was glad indeed
The life I led was uneyentful, but oh
so quiet and happy, save for that one care
We drove out daily, walked when it was
pleasant, went to the theatres and the opera
and had pleasant parties at home. All ot
Mrs Morley's visitors treated me as shc
did; that is, as if I was her youthful rela
tive.
had been under the hospitable roof fol
nearly three months and had gradually
lulled my conscience into sort of compro
mise, which left me something more like
peace
[ did not intend always to conceal my
sin from my friend | determined that
some time | would make full confession
to her; but | still put it off,
One day she had gone to visit her law
yer at his office. She did not need me
and as had slight cold she would not
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