The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-02
CHAPTER VII.

derS on distraction.
She makes no mention OF the quarrel that
has occurred between Dick and Captain
SaumareZ or OF her midnight visit to the
house of the latter.
Neville, watching her, knows that something
is amiss.
As all next day goes by, and Wednesday
dawnS, and still no udings reach her or
Dicks welfare the suspense and terror she
is enduring prove almost more than she can
bear.
That she loves Penruddock she no longer
seeks to deny even to herself, though in her
firm determination never to marry him she IS
altogether unchanged, has not wavered IN
the least
1t would undoubtedly have been a comfort
to her during all these hours of uncertainty
TO have had some one near her with whom
she could discuss her trouble, and To whom
she could breathe out all her fears and long
ings, but that SOlace is denied TO her.
Mrs. Neville, as she knew, entertained
sincere affection for PenruddOck, and to ap-
prise her of his danger would be to raise feel
ings of grief and direSt apprehensions OF evil
in her Kindly heart, and she would herself
need comfort, rather than be able to afford II
So by supreme effort Maud conquered
all selfish desires for sympathy, and waited
alone for tidings that might bring her JOY or
sorrow.
HAS Saumarez really and truly kept the
promise so strangely given|'
This is the thought that tornents her,
sleeping and waking, causing her to grow
pale, and place her hand upon her heart, II
any servant make a hurried entrance.
May he not bring with him a telegram or
message that shall reduce TO an unhappy GER
taintY all the vague fears that now distress
her?
She is leaning back in low chair, in the
smaller mOning-rOOm, making a poor pre-
tense at reading, whilst Mimi sits writing let
tiers at a davenport near, humming gayly, as
her pen runs lightly over the paper, little,
soft melody, heard last night at the Opera
BOutfe.
rT-t., 4o1
dark and carewOrn, but with all the remains
OF great and striking beauty, comes quietly
into the room.
Mr.. PeIfuddock is in the drawing-room,"
she says, in trained voice, that expresses
emotion of no kind, though, as the name
passes her lips, faint quiver contracts her
beautiful features.
Mr.. PenTuddOckV' cries Maud, with a lit
tie gasp, springing to her feet.
Then why not show him in here, as
usual?'' asks Mimi, glancing round the ypret-
ty bOudoir 10 see what can be wrong with it,
her thoughts running on Dick.
1T isn't young Mr. PenruddOck; it Is his
father" says the woman, with Sullen looks
fixed upon the carpet He wishes to see
''fo see me? Dear me, what can George
PenTuddOck have to say TO me"' says ATs.
Neville, Struggling her shoulders. II would
rather not see him alone. Indeed, | do not
think that | could muster courage for that.
Will you come to the drawing-roOm with me,
deareSt?'
'Oh, no ~ says Maud turning an agitated
countenance upon her friend. why should
l? He knows nothing of meat least" with
sudden pang of doubt, Il hope not! If he
should mention me, Mimi, say | have head
ache. It will be the truth; my brain seems
on iirer'
What an excitable child you arep' says
Mrs. Neville sOothingly. There, lie down
on this couch, and keep yourself quiet, for |
promise that you shall not be disturbed
Esther throw one OF those soft Eastern
shawls over Miss Neville, and fan her for
little while"
Esther arranges the shawl carefully as
Mrs. Neville leaves the room, and pouring
some eau de cologne upon handkerchief,
applies it to her young Inistress's temples.
She IS Il swarthy woman, with a Visage full
OF suppressed power and with a suspicion OF
revengefulness in its cast; but her whole ex-
preston sOftens and grows unspeakabIy ten
der as she bends above the girl and ministers
tc her.
When, many years ago she had brought
the baby 10 Mrs. Nevllles house, BY her de-
sire, she had so played her cards that she too
had been taken III by the SOf-hearted, ro-
mantle woman, and kept on as nurse to the
destitute child. and had never since quilted
her
THAT undertaking, last night but one, was
too much FOR you" says Esther, i'll q low
tone, You have not been yourself since.
| greatly blame myself, and am very sorry
that ever had hand, act, or part In it
DO not" says the girl, wearily; Though
fear that hazardous step has ayailed me
Dick PenruddOck."
Was it to crave mercy for him that you
sought SaumareZs rooms that night"' asks
the woman, quickly, frown contracting her
Yes; 1 asked and obtained his promise
that he would spare Dick. But this long si-
lence teTritieS me; what if lac should break
his Word?''
Had known that SAYS the woman,
between her teeth, and said it in such a
strange tone that Maud glanced anxiOusly at
her;
What do you mean, Esthcr9 How strange
ly You speakr' she says, a little sternly.
'Would you rather that Mr.. PenruddOck met
his death? You are cruel. very wicked.
What harm has he done youg'
Il would spare none OF the breed" says
the woman, slowly, her looks fixed on va
You speak as though you knew them.
Were you ever connected with them in any
way?' asks Maud, cuTiously. sitting up and
bending eagerly forward closely To watch the
nurses troubled COunten8uce.
"COnnected-nO," says Esther, in a tone of
cunningly acted surprise, awak king as though
to sense Of danger-''hOw should l? My
head is full OF fancieS tO-day-yOu must not
mind me. And Mr.. PenruddOck-I hope he
will come home safe, my dearie, for he is a
brave young gentleman, and a handsome
one; but not so handsome as my Lord STREET
tan; no, nor in any way whatever so worthy
OF Xg9yq" gyEau d,d NJ po,-do,, oor,o -,,,,,o >,
asks Maud, after pause.
Almost as l came in. No doubt he is here
to speak about his son" She chooses her
words carefully, and marks well the effect
produced by them.
''ie has heard, it may be, of his constant
visits here, and deems you unworthy Of an
alliance with his house But he need not
fear, need hep You have rejected Mr.. Dick
You assured me of that the other night?'
Yes it is true. His fears are groundlesa-
i do not desire 70 marry his sOn.' says Maud,
so best" says Esther. ''Iiis blood is bad; /;
at least''-haStily-'s have heard"
Maud is Silent
After little while she says, in rather
depressed voice and with ayerted looks,
What is he like ESther?'
wv WhO?-PenTuddOck? Stern and forbid
ding, cold and naughty, as Of old" returns
the woman, abSently-"not bowed and brOk-
en- with the weight of time and memory, as,
If he had conscience, he should be-"
why, how You say thatI' SAYS Maud,
raising herself ON her elbow. For the sec
ond time you make me think you know him" ="
NAY, ,child-hOw should 10 says the nurse,
impatiently, yet in a half-frghtened manner.
1T is from all have heard Judge, and that
was no good. The old, too, should not he
high and mighty; they should remember the
should repent them of the many sins that
they, in the past, have committed"
How ghosty," says the girl, with a slight
Shiver. DO not talk like that; il almost un-
nerves me. To hear YOU one might imagine
that Mr.. Penruddock was nothing less than
a murderer -
The woman smiles diSagreeably and Gov
eTS her face with her hand, perhaps to hide
the change that passes over it, Then taking
up the bottle OF perfume again, she pOurs
out some more, and applies 1t, but with a
trembling hand, 10 Miss Neville's forehead.
Nurse, says Maud, presently, in a nerv-
Gus tone, II have been thinking OF some
HNH Il