The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-09-09


He bent look on her face, that made
her color rise and her heart beat faster
''There is a storm coming" he said
at length; you had better 60 up to the
house,
Marian obeyed without q word, for
she fancied that she had been forward
and indiscreet, and was bitterly con-
demning her own folly.
Mrs. Barrett met her at the door.
"Ah, Miss Fosdick, you are prudent.
There is q storm at hand. Have you
seen anything of my brotherP l am. so
uneasy about him."
81 left him sitting under the trees"
returned Marian simply.
A snake-like gleam shot from Mrs.
Barrett's eyes.
''Oh, he has been sitting with you!
l am glad he has been in such good
company"
Marian went up TO her own room,
feeling vaguely annoyed and uneasy.
and sitting down by her window, began
to think, not of the secret ut which Mr..
Barrett had darkly limited, but of him.
self; and whether she had been so very
silly, and what he could have meant by
his sudden and unaccountable offer of
friendship.
Meanwhile, the clouds that had gath
ered in the horizon slowly spread them
selves over the entire sky, and her girl
ish meditation was suddenly interrupted
by 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."
.sTIororf ro,>aata1 A, - q,
as Ann, a withered. haggish. old family
servant. came into the room. ''In my
room! What do you mean by such
question:"
Indeed, and it's fools question:"
returned 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 bear
to nave him off at such times"
Marian looked, though she did not
speak her curiosity.
I'VE don't speak of it." continued
Ann, drawing closer and lowering her
voice, 'but there was a Young lady
master was going to marry, and she was
struck by lightning on what was to have
been her wedding-day. and master just
went crazy. and it was months afore he
come TO; and even now he's queer and
wild like whenever-- Mercy. what a
flash! l must tind him somewhere, or
mistress will 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 dis
ordered brain.
As she went down to supper, she
heard loud and angry voices in the tea
room; but on opening the door. only
Mrs. Barrett and her brother were visi.
ble-the former as serene, the latter as
imperturable as ever.
The meal passed amidst unusual
silence and constraint; and once over,
Marian was about to hurry to her room,
when she was stopped by Mr.. Barrett
'.Miss Fosdick, can have the pleasure
of a moments conversation with you in
the libraryP'
Guy, said Mrs. Barrett warningly,
remember will keep my word"
':As you like; l defy you," returned
Mr.. Barrett, holding open the door for
Marian to pass.
Hardly knowing what she did, Marian
entered the library. a sombre room, that
she had always avoided entering.
Mr.. Barrett followed her.
miss Fosdick." he commenced with
his usual abruptness. tiny sisters rash
ness has precipitated the avowal; but
had you little more experience OF the
world, you must have seen, almost from
the first day of your arrival. that love
you"
Marian sank down on a sofa, tremb-
ling and breathless. She was conscious
of powerful attraction that had al
ways drawn her towards this man, even
in his most taciturn moods; but il that
were love, or what was love, she found
herself unable to answer.
You are shocked-alarmedr' he
went on eagerly; "but why should you
bep Your heart should tell you as GER
tainly now as it could dozen years
hence. Love is not plant of slow and
tender growth, to be reared with careful
watching and tending; it is the light
ming that springs from the cloud and
strikes where least expected. II you
will be my wife, you can tell me SO to-
night-better. perhaps, than year nom
now"
Marian was silent.
II do not know" she commenced.
81 think L"
THAT is not enough" he interrupted.
"You must promise-you must swear"
And. Seizing her hand, he bent on her
such a glance as that with which the
rattlesnake charms its prev.
But though greatly terrified, Marian's
strong common-sense came 10 her
rescue.
81 will not be mad enough" she said
decisively, Ito peril my whole future
happiness by taking such an oath as
you require of me-"
Mr.. Barrett's eyes flashed fire.
You will not; you will mott" he
commenced furiously. Then, suddenly
changing his tone and throwing himself
on his knees before her, "Oh, Marianr'
he exclaimed piteously, pity, pardon
me; but my life, my honor. my very
salvation, depend on you. cannot
may not explain to you with safety
now"
The door burst open and Mrs Barrett
rushed into the room.
Stop she exclaimed; .'if you are
not already lost, and hear what it Is
you are to swear, and why his salvation
depends on your assent"
''Holdr said MIR. Barrett, with the
same menacing gleam in his eyes that
Marian had seen there before.
Il care notr she returned deiantly.
Your hour is drawing to close.
have served you in fear and trembling
through lifetime; but at last repent.
You shall not add another lost soul tc
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.. Bar.
rett turned livid.
'tSwearr' he exclaimed, seizing Mar.
ian's hand again. H->~