Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-10-02
Sarah Miller opened the door and stood

w HaG Uli0 ueVu are you IOOkluS aG LIE
like that for?" asked Hervey. His rough
voice brought Sarah back to herself. She
drew her hand across her brow.
cit is there, it is written there,n she NUT
tered
asked Harvey.
She made no reply, but her thin lips
moved, and again her eyes glanced at him
with strange, wild look
''Sit down." said Hsrvey, sharply; land
try and talk like sensible woman and
keep your wits from wandering"
He pushed chair toward her, She sat
down and seemed waiting for him to speak
again.
''Well, what do you want?" he said. 81
suppose she sent you?'
''Yes, my mistress sent me.n
stWhat for? Has she sent me any
money, or is she trying to starve me? Let
her take care. shall find her again some
day."
Eyes" said Sarah, in curious, me-
chanical accents. eyes, she has sent you
money"
GLOW much is it? Hand it overn
She drew small bag from her pocket.
Hervey clutched it eagerly. "There is fifty
pounds" she said, in the same mechanical
way as before.
Fifty pounds" exclaimed the man,
fercely. What does she mean by sending
me paltry sum like thats Fifty pounds
while my wife has thousands yearr'
''Take it or leave it, as you choose" said
Sarah
''rl take it, never fear. Oh, yes, I'll
take it. Perhaps it's meant as a peace
Offering Now let me hear what else you
have to say. You didn't come here just to
give me this wretched sum-"
Mrs. Miller rose from her seat and looked
down into the mans upturned face Her
voice when she spoke underwent marvel
lous change. 1t absolutely rang with pas
sion.
mo, Maurice Hervey," she cried. 'T
come to offer you the one chance, to show
YOU the one way which is still open 1t may
be too late to tread it, but I say to you,
show mercy and perhaps mercy may be
shown to you. Be warned, say, and leave
that poor girl in peace, live your life and
let her live hars She is one Of Gods cho-
sen, Maurice Hervey. Beware how you
war against Him. His anger is like twor
edged sword"
''Keep your flights to yourself and tell me
in plain English what you mean"
'Take the money she offers you. Go and
trouble her no more"
Hervey laughed his hooking laugh, ''My
dear Sarah" he said, ''your zeal makes you
anticipate matters I must remind you that
as vet I have been offered no money!
''But Miss Beatrice Will pay you money!"
said the woman eagerly. ooh, take it, take
it! Go away and never seek her again"
"Ahl nowyou're coming to business. What
money will she pay?'
''She will give you five hundred year"
A scowl passed over Hervey's face, but he
restrained the oath which rose to his lips.
'fYou are sure that's the best offer, Sarahs'
"She- will give no more.'
''And if | refuse, what theng'
Sarah cast a quick glance around, and
showed that she fully comprehended the
sqgalor of Hervey's present abode. IF you
refuse it," she said, 81 shall go back to her
and tell her you cannot be found. Then you
will be left to starve. Starvation is hard
work, Maurice Hervey."
tsYou bag, cried Hervey; 'you would lie
10 her"
II would do more than lie for hor sake"
said Mrs. Miller. ''Win you take the
money!
He shrugged his shoulders. ''Needs must
when the devil drives" he said, airily. Eyes,
Sarah, can't help myself, must close with
the generous offer. Now tell me where to
find my devoted wife, so that 1 may convey
The news of my submisslon-n
''You will take ita' said Sarah, breath.
lessly.
Have ! not said 1 must"
''Thank God!" AS she spoke she clasped
her hands and murmured words of thanks.
Hervey watched her with curious look on
his face. She saw it and it startled her.
'FYou will sign paperss' she said.
"Oh. yes; Pll sign anything. Now tell
me where to find her."
s'No, no. You cannot see her, She will
get everything done. The lawyer will get
the papers ready, and when you have signed
them the money will be paid"
every WELL" said Hervey, carslessly.
'sThere's nothing more to say. Them
The readiness with which he acceded to
her stipulations reused Mrs. Miller's distrust
''Do you mean to play me falsean she asked,
'sWilI you swear on the Bible to keep your
promise?"
Certainly I WILL but am afraid there's
no Bible in this house to swear on. A sad
state of things which shall be rectifed before
you come again.
Mrs. Miller made no reply to his ieering
words, She opened small bag which she
carried and drew out a well-thumbed, worn
Bible. Hervey smiled his contempt.
place your finger between the leaves
she said solemnly, ''then kiss the sacred
book and swear, so help you God, you will
keep your promise"
ut must be a left-handed eath," be said,
as he obeyed her, She clasped her hand
over his, and when with sheer on his lips
he had taken the prescribed oath, she opened
the book and marked the verse on which his
finger had at random been placed ''Read,"
she said, land be warned" Hervey read:
''Gol shall likewise destroy thee for ever"