Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-05
CONTINUED from yesterday

A snake-like CLEAN shot from Mrs Bar
ret's eyes.
.'Oh he has been sitting with you.
am glad he has been in such good compa-
ny"
Marian went up to her own room. feel
ing vaguely annoyed and uneasy, and sit
ting down by her window began to think
not of the secret at which Mr.. Barrett had
limited. but of himself; and whether she
had been so very silly, and what he could
have meant bv his sudden and unaccount-
able offer of friendship.
Meanwhile the clouds that had gathered
in the horizon slowly spread themselves
over the entire sky. and her girlish medi-
tations were suddenly interrupted by a
flash and peal of thunder that made her
start to her feet in dismay.
Her door opened suddenly.
please, Miss, is master here? Mrs.
Barrett is SO uneasy about him.
"Here ~ repeated Marian, Indignantly,
as Ann, withered. haggish. old family
servant, came into the room. sin my
room what do you mean by such ques-
ton p
"Indeed, and it's FOOLS question:" re-
turned Ann. looking sharply around her !;
''but mistress's so worried about master
that | fancy she's got me dazed. too.
You see. masters always wild like when
it thunders, and so she can't a-bear to
have him off at such times"
1--WE don't speak of it, continued Ann,
drawing closer and lowering her voice :,
''but there was lady master was going
to marry. and she was struck by light
ming on what was to have been her we'd
ding-dav, and master Just went crazy,
and it was months afore he come to; and
even now he's queer and wild like when
ever-mercy, what flash! | must find
him somewhere, or mistress'll be raving,
too
Marian's short-lived pleasure was gone
The friendship that had been the source of
so much anticipated pleasure was merely
then the vagary of dsordered BRAIN
AS she went down to supper, she heard
loud and angry voices in the tea-room :;
but on opening the door only Mrs. Bar
rett and her brother were visble-the
former as serene, the latter as imperturba-
bic as ever. The meal passed amidst I'M
usual silence and constraint; and once
over, Marian was about to hurry to her
room, when she was arrested by Mr..
Barrett
"Miss Fosdick, can l have the pleasure
of moments conversation with you in
the librarv?"
Guy" said Mrs. Barrett, warningly,
remember! I will keep my word"
CAS- you like; defy you," returned
Mr.. Barret, holding open the door for
Marian to pass.
Hardly knowing what she did, Marian
fnr re hot
she had always avoided entering
Mr. Barrett followed her.
"Miss Fosdick.n he commenced, with
his usual abruptness, "mv sisters rash
ness has precipitated the avowal but had
you must have seen, almost from the first
day of your arrival, that love you"
Marian sank down on a sofa, trembling
and GREATNESS. She was conscious of a
powerful attraction that had always drawn
her toward this man, even in his sourest,
most taciturn moods; but if that were
love. or what was love, she found herself
unable to answer.
you are shocked-alarmed :" he went
on eagerly; "but why should you be
Your heart should tell you as certainly
now as it could a dozen years hence.
Love is not plant of slow and tender
growth, to be reared with careful watch
ing and tending: it is the lightning that
springs from the cloud and strikes where
least expected. If you will be nv wife.
you can tell me so to night-better, per-
haps. than a year from now''
Marian was silent.
Il do not know" she commenced. II
think -
THAT is not enough" he interrupted
You must prcmise-you must swear "
And Selling her hand he bent on her such
a glance as that with which the rattle.
snake charms his prey
But though greatly irritated, Marian's
strong common sense came to her rescue
81 will not be mad enough" she said.
decisively. "to peril my whole future
happiness by taking such an oath as YOU
require of me-
MIR. Barrett's eyes flashed fire.
You will not-you will not" he ex-
claimed furiously Then suddenly chang
ing his tone and throwing himself on his
knees before her: "Oh, Marian :" he
exclaimed piteously, pity, pardon me
but my life, my honor. my very salvation
depend on you. | cannot-I may not
explain to you with safety now -
The door burst open and Mrs. Barrett
rushed into the room.
Stop" she exclaimed. eff you are not
already lost. and hear what 1t is you have
to swear, and why his salvation depends
on your assent
Della" said Mr.. Barrett with the same
menacing CLEAN in his eyes that Marian
had seen there before
81 care not" she returned. defiantlv.
Your hour is drawing to a close. have
served you in fear and trembling through
lifetime; but at last repent. You shall
not add another lost soul to your list of
victims. Girl. he meant YOU for his yearly
sacrifice to the master he serves-who, for
his soul: gives him wealth, power
The clock began to strike. Mr.. Barrett
turned livid.
"Swear!n' he exclaimed. Selling Mar
rian's hand again.
TOO late-too late ~ rang out in a
chorus OF hooking voices through the
room. The time is past; you are ours ;"
An awful peal of thunder and a vivid
flash OF lightning that revealed Mr.. Bar
rett's agonized face and his sisters smile