San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-02

10 ask you question"
"Ycs?'
"lf my cousin offers you the post again,
will you take it?'
saw in moment what she meant; that
she would intercede for me; that the fact Of
my being renstated would give that villain
George Redruth, a stronger hold over her;
50 | answered, firmly:
"NO; the situation will not be offered to
me, and II ii was, should refuse il"
Your uncle and aunt are dependent upon
you, are they nOtY'
Not entirely. My uncle is sufficiently re-
covered now 10 resume his work. For the
last week he has been employed at the mouth
of the mine. If my sins are not visited upon
his head, and he is allowed to remain, they
will do very well. As for myself am
young and strong; there is no fear for me"
. She made no answer; and |, looking at
her. noticed. for the first time, how thinly
she was clad.
Madeline said, you will get your
death; let me take you back"
drew the shaw closer about her Shout
ders put her hand upon my arm, and led her
away.
Hugh" she said, presently, you have
not told me the cause of all this trouble
Why have you and my cousin disagreed 50
terribly
The very fact that he was her cousin seal
ed my lips.
There is nothing, | said, "but what had
best be kept between man and man"
Then you absolutely refuse TO make any
concession"
II refuse To receive any favor from George
Redruth."
''Or from mer'
From you, MadeineY
Eyes. l am rich. you knOw-very rich,
and now that you are ia trouble might help
you"
mo-" / answered. quickly; don't think
of it. 1t is impossible"
"lmpOsSible?' she TeplietS 1.-THE word
friendship to you means nothing"
at means that you may give me your SYM
pathy. am grateful for that, but cannot
accept money from YOU.
| walked with her as far as the entrance TO
the grounds surrounding Redruth House,
then | left her
Her eyes were full of tears as she said
goodbye, and her little hand chung to mine
with a persistence winch well-nigh unman-
ned me. was too much beside myself to
return to the cottage, 81 for about half a mile
] followed the road which led to the mine.
II was late, there was not living soul
abroad it seemed to me; yet, as turned TO
retrace my steps, | came face to face with
man who had eyidrntlvbeen following close
upon my heels 1t was johnson.
MadeIme's Softening influence was still up
OH me. \ ct at sight of this evil face it SEEM
ed to fade, and there arose within me all that
was worst in my soul. He paused, blocking
my way, and Sneermgly addressed me:
"a guess, young man." he said, you'll get
into worse trouble before you're done. Jest
you let the governor see you as | saw you
with Miss Graham tO-nightV
The mention of her name by his foul lips
reused me 10 frenzy.
You scomdrelr' | cried, mention that
lady's name again and by Heaven I'll strike
you dead where you standw
oh" he sneered, killings your game, is
it? Repeat that tomorrow before witnesses,
young man, and your dOOm'S sealed"
He passed me by, and walked on toward
the mine, while |, glad at heart to be safely
away from him, walked with some speed to-
ward home.
| found my aunt alone; asked for my
uncle.
ale be gone back to the mine, Hugh" she
returned. But dawn't ZEE sit up for 'un,
lad. | daresay Jim Rivers III bring 'un
hame."
As knew | should have to be ready to
Join John Rudd at five O'Clock in the morn
ing, took my aunt's advice and went to
bed; and 50 sOundly did sleep, that heard
nothing whatever of Hy uncle'S return.
When aWoke it was still pitch dark. |
struck a light and found that il was -four
o'clock. | therefore got up and began to
prepare for my journey.
went about my work as quietly as posi-
bic, hoping to disturb no one; but shortly
after | entered the kitchen, my uncle ap-
peared fully dressed for the day. He leOk-
ed so white and strange that, for a moment
/ was startled into the belief that something
was the matter. As nothing seemed 10 have
TRANSFERRED, however, concluded it was sOr-
row at parting with me.
Ny God, how the memory of that white
wan face came back TO me in after days! 1t
was the memory of it, and of the patient,
pitiful eyes, which sealed my lips when one
word might have proved my salvation.
When John Rudd made his appearance,
and my aunt came out of the bedroom, and
began crying on my shoulder, saw the wan,
sad eyes of my uncle still fixed upon me. As
left the cottage, L looked back and found
them gazing after me still.