The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-09
A PASSIVE CRIME.
BY THF DUCHESS.
CHAPTER TX.
ALL KNOWN.

discussing the post and her chocolate. Mrs.
Neville grows suddenly serious over a letter
Just opened, and which not only disturbs.
but very greatly perpleXeS her. i
1t Is from Mr.. PenTuddOck, demanding an
interview; and begging her to name an hour
III which he may speak to her upon subject
OF much Importance, both to him and her
There Is no mention of Maud in the letter:
yet II so unmlStakaby means business in
every line, that Mimi feels uneasy, and, ring
ing the bell. summons Esther to her aid-the
woman having proved herself of sOund iudg-
ment upon several occasions when Mrs Ne
vile had found herself in want of good ad-
wee, and knew not where else to look for II.
For two long hours she and Esther remain
clOSeted together, at the end OF which time
Mrs Neville, opening the door, comes out
into the corridor with am air of open triumph
and gladneSs in her whole demeanOr that
contrasts rather oddly with the pink lids and
heavy eyes that betray the fact of her having
been crying bitterly. In her hand she bears
letter, which IS addressed TO George Pen
TuddOCk.
Esther, going on to Maud's room. after
some persuasion induces her to send a note
10 Dick, desiring him to come to South Aud
ley Street at particular hOur-that is tOsay,
at nine O'Clock that evening.
The lamps are carefully lowered. the cur
tains drawn. There is sufficient light to dis
Germ objects, but hardly enough to read the
features OF Maud Neville, who, reclining in
low chair at the upper end of the room, sits
IDLY gazing into vacancy, whilst swinging
slowly 10 and fro huge black fan.
Upon table underneath Mrs. Peurud-
docks picture two lamps are burning dimly.
Mrs. Neville Is lounging in 4 solemn arm
chair. and Is to all appearances enjoying life
in its greatest intensity, which, to speak more
plainly, means that she is slowly but surely
falling into the arms of Morpheus.
The sound OF a bell rings through the
house: there is a pause and then the door
opens slowly. and MI PeUuddUck comes in
with the heavy, determined step of one who
has righteous cause To be- adjusted. and
with his cuuuteuance stern and white.
Ii is at all times q TOT1Iddiu- cOmtouauCc
no one has ever thought otherwise, though
strangely handsome, but tonight it is very
IIcady,uiccs to where Mrs. Neville (vho
was suddenly reused from Siumaer to a tull
. sense Ui tine ~ituatuuD is sitting. but pauees
on his way. and SIUdders, pcgceptibly, as
/ looking up by chance. he sees that he Is be-
! fore the portrait OF his dead si~tyr-in-aw.
Mrs, PenTUUdOck~ large pathetic blue eyes
. are gazing down upon him, as 50 often they
( gaZCd in life, sweet and earnest, and just
. now, a. 1t seems 10 his distorted fancy, some
thing more than all this.
1, It that uv las grown sIlperStjtiuus with
in the last few mom:.lts, OF do they wear
rcproachful look. that thrills his whole being?
Is the beautiful face eager and eNpectant,
/ as though she would demand Mt his hands
. the little one left to him I'm tTuSt2
Recovering himself by great effort, he
/ goes up To Mrs. Neville. and says something
formal to h,r about his gratitude for the IN
/ terview thus granted.
He is perhaps going ON to explain why the
/ meeting was solicited. when the abrupt en-
trance of his son checks him for the time be
1 ing.
4 quick shade Of anger crosses the young
/ mans brow a. he sees his father.
Iustmctively his glance turns to where
Maud is sitting. so far apart from the rest:
but She is 50 cuveOped by the shadows fall
ing from the lowered lamps, that he can not
distinguish her features with any clearneSs.
He would have gone over to her at once,
but Mrs Neville, by a sharp gesture Of com
mand, stays him, and brings him to her own
side.
,.Stay, Dick She says. quietly. Your
place IS here as Vetr'
So he stays by her. as in duty bound
though SOrcIy troubled at heart.
After all that have urged, you have
come. y he says, coldly. turning to his father.
/ Yes: to say that which told you yeStcr-
day | intended 10 Say!' Tet0Tts Penruddock,
/ StubbOrny Then, addressing Mrs. Neville,
he adds in a labOred tone, 1t would make
matters much easier if l might speak to you
alone, without the presence Ot-MISs Ne
yiHer'
There is a covert insoIence in the hesita-
ton that he shows before prOuOUncIng
Maud's name that makes Mrs Neville angry
and indignant
III what YOU have come here to say refers
to Miss Neville. il is both her wish and mine
that she should be listener to it she says,
slowly. Therefore, do not hesitate, Dut
commence at once, and let us hear, II you
please, that which you have come hither to
.s'That is as nolt desire. of course" Penrud.
dock returns calmly; 'aud, indeed. it * but
little of Your time | shall require. l would
I merely remark Iidl slldu never, ull'tJl any
circumstances, give my consent to an aiIancC
between my son and your adopted daugi
ter"
lent and almost mOtiOnless, starts into life
- She rises to her feet, and, though Stll
keeping well in the shadow, turns TO confron
"Reserve your disapprobation, sir sh,
SAYS in a voice low but distinct; there Is n'
occasion for it. still less for your consent e
! nv marriage with your son. As he vii
inf. y-i,THI I llIU
and very distinctly, that such union IS III
. terly impOssi bic"
: Dick makes a movement as though ht
| would go to her, but Penruddock detan
You hear what she says?7 he eycaims
eagerly she has refused you. Let II res
there 1t is ali at Al end Surely you woul,
;, not press the matter? Have you no self
esteem? Have you no pride?
In this case, none. says the young man
sadly. 1t is my happiness, my life, 70
But she tells NE plainly that with he
- own lips she has rejected you.
< "If" saws Dick. earnestly. going up Z
n Maud and taking both her hands IN his
n she will also tell you, not only with her hp'
{. but honestly and from her heart that sh
"a does not love me. | shall then resign all hop
n Of ever gaining her / shall cease 70 wear
her with my presence and my sInceTe Pr.
s, tf.tatiOus OF affection, and leave htr Tree I
Z. wed a happier man; but never until she hi
told me that. Ou may therel 1re spar
Yourself all further trouble on my account
- then goes on again. in q voice that tremble
slightly Il await my sentence. Mauc
IN speak!, III -, Il.
move as though She would mWlIlngly haN
J." given voice 10 some Thought but no aIticl
n late sound escapes her.
v Presently she lifts her sad eyes TO ms a
e. I'm guutp repr1ach. and then two tears EHint
y within them slowly. and as slowly IalI ON
.; BY one down her pale cheekS. IN.
: ''DCk come here. says MIS- NeNAIe, heI
- c,r-I,- T4r ypiYp trembling.
er He OheyS her.
a. pressing Naud's cold hands, he whisper
Z. hurriedly Il shall wait forever.
10 And then goes back to Mimi side
..If YOU mean to defy me In this matter
EayS PeuruddOck. who has overheard nm
tsyou can take the consequences on yoHr oW
head and Won know very well what tho.
!. rnDsenupuccs will be- HencefOrth you an
u shall he strangers, and | Will do my best
forget that | ever had a son. But wal
= Won that such mad marriages bring on
! grief and disgrace in their train
1 There shall ne neither grief nor dlSgrat
tbroush me" SAYS Maud, family.
at She il still standing and has her hand q
tb,. back OF her chair as though to suppo
Of herself.
reluOTSelCosly, not needing the heaTtDrok'
a iuterT1lptioIl that "a blot or stain has tallt
"A on our house OF name
lI l1 SILENCE. sir, cries Dick, furiously tur
ing upon him but no more can be said
either side for at that instant the attentit
ne of all is turned upon the door. Just ltst
rs which, upon the threshold. E9thtI Stahe
d. with one arm extended, as il she would q
It's mand silence.
There is something in her whole attitu
and demeauOT that i remarkably strlklT
and which engenderN fear and eXpectatl
q in every breast
The looks OF all are fixed on her rs 5
comes slowly up the room, the tall, maJes
figure clothed in black, and drawn mp 10
full height
Her manner is expressive of mystery a
IOng-suppreSscd excitement OF all prcSe
II, dc r.nLu Nh NnNILLn aLnme mue-ussos