Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-10-18

Oliver Whyte she had been taken by her
father up 10 the station, in the hope that It
would restore her 70 health. The mental
strain which had been on her during the trial
had nearly brought on an attack Of brain
fever. but here, far from the excitement Of
town life, in the quiet seclusion of the coun-
try, she had recovered her health, but not
her spirits Women are more impressionable
than men, and it is perhaps for this reason
that they age quicker. A trouble which
would pass lightly over a man leaves an in
delible mark on a woman, both physically
and mentally, and the terrible episode Of
Whyte's murder had changed Madge from a
bright and merry girl into a grave and
beautiful woman. And Brian, he also had
undergone change, for there were a few
white hairs now amid his curly, chestnut
locks, and his character, from being gay and
bright, had become moody and irritable.
After the trial he had left town Immediately,
in order to avoid meeting with his friends,
and had gone up to his station, which was
| next to that of the Frettlbys. There he
worked hard all day, and smoked hard all
night, thinking over the cursed secret which
the dead woman had told him, and which
threatened to overshadow his life. Every
now and then he rode over and saw Madge,
but only when he knew her father was away
in Melbourne, for he seemed to have taken
| a dislike to the millionaire, which Madge
could not help condemning as unjust,
remembering how her father had stood be-
side him in his trouble. But there was an
other reason why Brian kept aloof from
Yabba Yallook station, and that was he did
not wish to meet any of the gay society which
was there, knowing that since his trial he was
an object Of curiosity and sympathy to every
one-a position which was very CALLING to his
proud nature At Christmas time Mr.. Fret
tlby had asked lot of people up from Mel
bourne, and though Madge would rather
have been left alone, yet she could not refuse
her father, and had to play hostess with a
smiling brow and aching heart. Felix Rol-
| lesion, who q month since joined the noble
! army of benedicts, was there with Mrs Rol.
| lesion, who ruled him with rod of iron.
Having bought Felix with her money, she
had determined to make good use of hinH
and, being ambitious to shine in Melbourne
society, had insisted upon Felix studying
politics, so that when the next general cleo
tion came around he could enter parliament
Felix had rebelled at first, but ultimately
gave way, as he found that when he had a
good novel concealed among his parliament
ary papers time passed quite pleasantly, and
lie got the reputation of a hard worker at
little cost. They had brought up Julia,
Mrs. Rolleston's sister, with them, and
this young person had made up her mind
to become the second Mrs. Frettlby. She
had not received much encouragement,
but, like the English at Waterloo, did not
the siege of Mr.. Frettlby's heart in an un-
daunted manner. DR.. Chinston had come up
for little relaxation, and never gave a
thought to his anxious patients or the many
sick rooms he was ir the habit of visiting.
A young English fellow, called Peterson, who
amused himself by travelling; an old coonist,
full of "reminiscences of the old days, when,
"by CAD, sir, we hadn't gas lamp in the
whole of Melbourne" and several other peo-
pie completed the party. They had all gone
off to the billiard room, and left Madge in
her comfortable chair, half asleep.
Suddenly, she started as she heard step
behind her, and turning, saw Sal Rawlns, in
the neatest of black gowns, with coquettish
white cap and apron, and an open book. The
fact is, Madge had been so delighted with
Sal for saving Brian's life that she had taken
her into her service as maid Mr.. Frettlby
had offered strong opposition at first thns a
fallen woman like Sal should be near his
daughter; but Madge determined to rescue
the unhappy girl from the life of sin she was
leading, and so at last he reluctantly con-
sented. Brian, too, had objected, but ulti-
mately yielded, as he saw that Madge had
set her heart on it, Mother Guttersnipe OBJ
iected at first, characterizing the whole affair
as "blarsted 'umbug," but she, likewise, gave
in, and Sal became maid to Miss Frettlby,
who Immediately set to work to remedy Sails
defective education by teaching her to read.
The book she held in her hand was spelling
book, and this she handed to Madge.
II think knows it now miss" she said,
respectfully, as Madge looked up with a
SMILE .H. a. t
"Do you, indeed?" said Madge, gayly.
"You will be able to read in no time, Sal"
"Read this?" said Sal, touching "Tristan:
A Romance, by Zoe."
"Hardly!" said Madge, picking it up with
look of contempt. II want you to learn
English, and not confusion of tongues like
this thing But it's too hot to do lessons,
Sal" she went on, leaning back in her seat,
$50 get chair and talk to me-"
Sal complied, and Madge looked out on the
brilliant flower beds, and at the black shadow
of the tall witch elm which grew on one side
of the lawn. She wanted to ask a certain
question of Sal, and did not know how to dc
it. The moodiness and irritability of Brian
had troubled her very much of late, and
with the quick instinct Of her sex, she
ascribed it indirectly to the woman who hat
died in the back slum. Anxious to share hi
troubles and tighten his burden, she deter
mined to ask Sal about this mysterious wo
man. and find ont. If possible, what secre
had feen told to Brian, which affected hin
SO deeply.
"Sai," she said, after short pause, turn
ing her clear gray eyes OIL the woman, :"
want to ask you something"
The other shivered and turned pale. t.
"About-about thatF .@
Madge nodded. ..
She hesitated for a moment, and thel
flung herself at the feet of her mistress.
II will tell you," she cried. "You hav
been kind to me- an have right to know.
will tell you all know"
"Then,". asked Madge, firmly, as sh
clasped her hands tightly together, "who wa
z this woman whom Mr.. Fitzgerald went Il
see, and where did she come from"
Gran an me found her one eveAin' il
Little Bourke street." answered Sal, "jus
near the theatre. She was quite drunk an
we took her home with u.s."
"How kind of you" said Madge
'Oh, it wasn't that" replied the othe
| tod har oTnt xUo