Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-12-05
The Evil Genius,
A DOMESTIC STORY.
II Wi1klE COLLINS.
BEFORE THE STORY.
A DOMESTIC STORY.
BEFORE TIL. STORY.


NV.
Lnlrv advanced few >t"pS-alll stopped.
His tc. l"rT, II. eagerly To- meet him,
ch !ls'o .l,I>.rt. II might have been di>tru>t,
or il might have been uNrcasonln- fear She
hr>itatrd "n the point ~ approaching, him.
Il have something to say. Catherine. which
am afraid VIII distress You.
Ills voice fatrTci. his eyes rested on her
then l"uhrd AWAY AGAIN. He said nn more.
He had spoken few commonplace words,
and Vet he had said enough. She SAW the
truth III his eyes heard the truth in his voice.
4 III of trembling seized her. l.inlcy step
ped forward. i'll the fear that She might fall.
She instantly controlled herself, and signed
TO him t. keep back. Don't touch me-.
she said. "lou come from Miss Wr>trr
field
That rcproach reused him.
Il own that | come from Miss WestcI
field" he answered. SHE addresses re-
quest Ia you through me-"
II refuse 10 grant it."
Hear it first"
No
Hear tin your own interest. VIII yoI
permit her Ia leave the house. never TO IT,.
turn again? While She is till innocent"
His wife eyed him with Il look Of unutter
able contempt He submitted to it, but not
In silence.
"A man docs'n Mt liz. Catherine, who makes
such a confc>,i"iI as am making now. Miss
Wcs,crIield offers the one atonenent In her
power while she is still innocent Of having
wronged yOu-eycept in thought"
"ls that alp" Mrs. Lnley asked.
ut rests with you," he replied, 80 say If
9TH. NJ xxrtio a.
may be more acceptable t, YOU"
let IN uHsi, r,t.ind first what the S.criiice
mt.,ll> Does she make any conditions
''She has positively forbidden ne to make
conditions"
And goes out into the world helpless and
friendlcs>?'
Yes"
Even under the terrible trial that wrung
her, the nobility of the woman's nature spoke
In her next words.
'Give me time to think OF what yOn have
said" she replied. Il have led happy life
am not used to suffer as l am suffering
now" In the minute that followed her
changing color revealed a struggle with her.
self.
Miss Westeriield Is innocent of having
wronged lie, except in thought" Mrs. Lin
ley resumed. She might have deceived me
she has not deceived me. own II to her
to remember that. She shall 10, but not
helpless and not frendless."
Her husband forgot the restraints he had
imposed on himself.
SIS there another woman in the world like
your he exclaimed.
'Many other women" she answered firm.
". "A vulgar termagant, feeling a sense OF
injury, finds relief in an Outburst Of jealousy
and furious quarrel. A woman i'm my posi-
ton, who respects herself, restraints herself.
l try to remember what owe to others rs
well as what they owe to me-"
She approached the writing table and took
up pen.
Feeling his position acutely, Liniey had
abstained from again declaring admiration
of her generosity. Until he had deserved to
be forgiven. he had forfeited the right to ex
press an opinion on her conduct She misin
terpreted his silence. As she understood it
he appreciated an act of self-Sacrifice ON Miss
WeSterfield's side-but he had no word Of
encouragement for an act Of Self-sacrifice Oh
his wife's side. She threw down the pen,
with the first outbreak Of anger that had es-
capped her yet.
You have spoken for the gOverneSs," she
said to him. Il haven't heard yet, sir, what
you have to say for yourself. Is it you who
tempted her? You know how gratefully she
feels toward yOu-have you perverted her
gratitude and led her blindfOld to love?
Cruel. cruel, cruel! Defend yourself. If you
call"
He made no reply.
us it not worth your while to defend your
selfY' she burst Out, passlOnately. "YOur 81.
lence Is an insuitr'
MY silence is confession" he answered,
sadly. Il have rs much need of your mercy
as she has-and more"
Something In the tone of his voice remind
ed her Of past days-the days of perfect love
and perfect confidence, when she had been
the one woman In the world to him. Dearly
treasured remembrances Of her married life
filed her heart with tenderness, and dimmed
with tears the angry light that had risen in
her eyes. There was no pride, no anger, in
his wife when she spoke to him now.
''Oh! my husband, has she taken your love
from me.'
Judge for yourself, Catherine, II there Is
no proof Of my love for you in what have
resisted-and no remembrance of all that
owe to you in what have confessed"
She ventured little nearer to him. Can
l believe your
Put me to the test"
She instantly took him at his word. "When
Miss Westerfield has left us, promise not to
zee her again."
II promise"
"And not even to write to her."
II promise"
10 ant ha0 10 bo k.hl r
heart Is easier" she said, simply. II can be
merciful to her nOw."
After writing few lines she rose and
handed the paper to him. He looked up
from 1t In surprise. Addressed to Mrs Mac
Edwiny he said.
ADDRESSED" she answered, ITO the only
person know who feels true interest in
her. Have you not heard OF it%'
Il remember" he said read the lines
that followed:
II recommend Miss Westerfeld as q teach
er Of young children. having had ample
proof OF her capacity, industry, and good
temper while she has been g0verness to my
child. She leaves her situation I'm my service
under circumstances that testify to her sense
of duty and her sense of gratitude"
'liave said" she asked, more than
could hOnOrably and truly say-even after
what has happened"'
He could only look at her; no words could
have spoken for him as his silence spoke for
him ut that moment When she took back
the written paper there was pardon in her
eyes already.
The last worst trial remained to be under
gone; she faced it resoluteIy. Tell Miss
Westerlield that wish to see her."
On the point of leaving the room, Herbert
was called back. III you happen to meet
with my MOTHER" his wife added, Twill you
ask her to come to me?'
Mrs. Prcsty knew her daughters nature:
Mrs. Presty had been waiting near at hand,
In expectation of the message which she now
! received.
Tenderly and respectfully Mrs. Linley ad-
dressed herself to her mother. "When we
last met l thought you spoke rashly and
cruelty. know now that there was truth
sOm: truth, let me say-in what offended me
at the time. II you felt strongly ii WAS: for
my sake. wish to beg your pardon; was,
hasty; was wrong"
On an occasion when she had first irritated
and then surprised him, Randall LinIey had
said to Mrs. Presty: You have got heart
after all!' Her reply to her daughter show
ed that view of her character to be the right
one. Say no more, my DEAR" she answer
ed. Il was hasty; was wrong"
The words had barely fallen from Der lips
before Herbert returned. He vas followed
by Sydney Westerfeld.
The governeSs stopped In the middle of the
room. Her head sank on he. breast; her
quiet, CONCLUSIVE breathing was audible in
the silence. Mrs. Linley advanced to the