The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-03-19
... . EBENsBURG. PA. FRIDAY. MARCH sl 1886

/ words. They were not. many but they
! We're Of you and the child. II you com
! maud that l should speak those words.
OF course | must; but better not hear
/ them. sir
! speak, wOman!" replies he, roughly.
! What could she say of me in death
! that would be haTSher than that which
| she said in life?'
Nay. then, if you tCiU hear, of course
/ you must" returns she; vet she pauSes
/ as though somewhat reluctant to pro-
| ceed. 1t always seemed to her a strange
/ thing that Miss PenruddOck the little
one) should by the viii be compelled to
/ live here in this small spot until her
eighteenth birthday, when in reality
she is mistress of Il. and all the lands
around, and the great castle up yOn-
der"
Tell me what she said Of me as she
died. says PenruddOck. impatiently.
she mentioned no names, but bend
/ ing toward me, said, with her poor eyes
wild and frightened, as it were, Now
that | am torn. and forever, alas! from
my sweet lamb she must walk beside
the JrOlt!'"
All" says Penruddock, drawing his
breath quickly, and CO!Oring darkly; lis
that the truth, or is it only that which
you have yourself invented?"
1T is true. You would have me
speak. But"-lOwering her head-"it
may nav Z DEGll ltll IdN iIlE. W Ilell (PaTl
IS near, how few know light from dark
ness!"
What more did she saw" demanded
he, as though deaf to her last remark.
She made me swear that | would
never fOrsake the little one; that as [
mad been its nurse for three long years,
so l would still cherish and keen a
watchful eye upon her. I swore it"
says the woman, solemnly. raising her
eyes TO the dull sky above her as though
IN memory of her oath in heaven:"
and l shall never break that promise.
come what Will, and cost me what it
may to keep it."
She pauses then, and looks keenly at
Penruddock, who meets her gaze as
hrmly as though his heart was frank
ana true, his mind without a single
thought of evil.
W hen Will it please you sir. that |
Shall bring the child DOWN." she asks.
presently, in subdued tone. "This
evening? Already she piEeS for her
DEAD mother, poor bairn; but if with
Master Dick. | think the feeling Of
loneliness might be lightened, and, no
doubt, in very little time would cease
TO exist altogether"
Very well. Let her be sent this
evening" says PenTuddOCk. slowly, un-
willingly, as it seems to the ear Of his
attentive listener.
Perhaps | hurry yOuI" she saws with
a certain newborn nervousness in her
manner. 1T is too hasty an arrival.
There will be our sleepmg-rOOm to ar
range. and the preparations for it
may"
There need be no trouble" says Pen
ruddock slowly. There is nothing to
arrange. Ny niece can sleep in the
nursery with wilkins"
Miss PenruddOck always sleeps with
me IN my ROOM says the woman,
fa,rHa
IS nothing to her; l am all the world to
For the future many things will he
changed" says Penruddock, speaking
coldly and with singular precision. IT .
is better yOu should understand at once I
| mat your services IN this family viii no /
longer be required. My sons nurse .
will be sufficient for both children"
The woman S face alters as he speaks /
until 1t Is almost unrecogniZable.
y gray, leaden pallor discOlOrs her
lips; her eyes grow strangely dark.
by supreme effort, she so far con-
trOlS herself as to speak with some an
peaTance of calmness.
Ou would separate me from the
chIldt she says, IN a low, angushed
tone.
Her hands are clasped behind her
back, well out of sight lest he shall see
how the fingers. closing on each other
8
es; 1t viii be better so. 1 shall .
keep no one near my niece who NAV +
prejudice her against her uncle reUlieS I
he, with slight sneer; her guardian
too, according to her fathers wish"
She makes quick gesture, as though |
'He would dispute the insinuatiOn; but
ne prevents her.
1t is useless arguing" =" he SAYS. "Your
manner betrays you. 1t is distrustfuI.
md touches on insOlence From your
you have, know but too well.
mbibed hatred Of me strong as it is
MUST"
The wOman. pale now as death. makes
step forward
Il was her nurse" she SAYS desperate
y She IS ike my Own-naY, more to I
ne than the one 1 lost. All through
Ter young life | have borne with her.
AIRED for her, loved her. She is part of
myself. At this BOSOM" crossing her
lands passionately upon her breast
she was fed. She is all on earth | care
or-my last tie. And viii YOU now /
ompel me TO part with her? Penrud-
OCk, have pity
I have spoken" returnsh he mmoved:
ana tragic scenes have no charm for
ne. 1 shall give you a character. and
ny wages that are due you can have
.heneYer II may suit you to come for
hem"
Then it is all over" murmurs she.
llntIy- pressing her hand to her heart
nd turning away.
But when she has gone a yard or two.
ne comes back again, and cOnfrOntS
Im with look upon her handsome
ice i'll to meet
She Is very white. and her large. un-
arthly eyes burn with arevengeful fire.
Il had forgotten" She saws. slowly,
Ny lady sent You one more message.
Tell him. she said, that surely heshalI
2 dealt with as he deals With 31fj,eED
30 saying. she moves away into the
aiy recesses OF the wood, and is pres
atty lost to sight