Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-02-14

Rayner and sweet little Haidce. Ard
there was still another reason which
made the thought Of leaving Geldham
harder than ever. But the terrors l
had passed through outweighed all
other considerations. So I packed my
boxes and was ready to 60. had no
salary yet a. ! had not been two
months at the Aldors. but my uncle
had given me sovereign for emergen-
cies. So went to the study to inform
Mr.. Rayner OF my intention, rather
handkerchief with me to convince him
my adventure was not mere fancy, as
thought he might try to make me be-
lieve.
Mr. Rayner received me kindly and
gave me achair. Thcn asking me to
wait minute whilc he spoke to Sam,
he left the room. he had been gone
but o moment when I heard q noise
and lc oking up saw Sarah.
lsprung to my feet with a scream
and darted to tho bell.
Don't" said sho. sharply. cat
least wait minute-give me a hear
ing. I did not mean to hurt you last
night; and didn't want to steal your
letter. I only wanted to read it. 1 am
of curious disposition and don't
stick at trifles to find out what want
to know. Tho stuff on the handker-
chief would only have made you sleep
3 little sounder so could take the
letter. am sorry frightened you:
I've come to ask you to forgive me-"
She said ell this in o hard dry tone,
not as though she felt it at all.
mo, no; can't forgive you," I
eaid, incoherently. cit wasn't only
your trying to steal my letter and to
stupefy me, but the cruel way you
looked at meas if-you would like to
kill me. can't forget it-Oh! can't
forget it. And you did worse than
that. You told cook, Mr. Rayner was
coming to my room. Oh that was
wicked of you. for you knew it wasn't
"That's that little tattling Jane,
knowr" said Sarah, vixenishly. 81
never said such a thing at all; but she
likes to mako q story up of everything
she hears"
Twas silent for minute. Sarah be-
gan again in different tone:
you're very hard upon a poor ser.
want, Miss Christie. don't deny that
was jealous of you. and that 1 want
cd to prove to Mr.. Rayner that you had
letters on the sly from g young gentle
|
breast of it! But don't it seem hard
that I, who've served him and his well
for mig h seven years, should have to &c
just at the word of q young lady who
! hasn't been here two months?"
cit isn't at my word, Sarah; have
had nothing to do with it. And, as to
your going away, heard about it only
this morning through asking Jane why
| she was doing nv rOOm.'
"Then you don't want me to &C
awayP"
"ft doesn't matter to me whether
you go or stay, as I have packed my
boxes, and am going back to Londor
myself this very afternoon"
Sarah started. Then she gave dis.
agreeable laugh.
!" You won't CO." she said.
You can 60 upstairs and look al
my boxes" 1 said. Indignantly.
"Have you spoken to Mr.. Rayne,
about it yet, may ask, missP" said she
drylNy: ,.o: -, .on :; y,
this morning"
''Then would you mind, before you
60, miss''-she laid q peculiar emphasis
on these words-"asking Mr.. Rayne1
to let mo stay? 1t won't matter tc
|
can tell"
'.But what I might say wouldn',
make any difference, Sarah" remon
strated, presently. "You overrate my
Importance i'm this household in the
strangest way. My words haven't hall
the weight with Mr.. Rayncr that your;
have" Sarah looked at me eagerly as
said this, but she did not seem salts
fled. "That is quite right and natural
as you have been here SO long and are
so much older; too"
She did not like my saying that,
saw, by the tightening of her thin lips
but certainly had not meant to offend
her. However, after minute S pause
she said again:
''Then, as you won't be afraid O.
your words having any effect, miss
perhaps you will the less mind asking
Mr.. Rayner to let me stay"
concluded that as was going away
it would make no difference, so L said
Every well; will ask him.
As soon as the words had left my lips
she thanked me coldly and left the
room without showing the least graft
tude.
!; When Mr.. Rayner returned to the
study informed him of my intention
to leave the Alders at once. ''And, oh
Mr.. RaynsF." went on quickly, ''yor
} mustn't think me ungrateful or ca
PRECIOUS; but have packed my boxes
and I want you to release me from my
engagement, and let me 60 back t.
London by this afternoons train! For
if had to sleep in that room another
night. should 60 mad"
my dear child" he said, gravely,
ssyou can't do that-for our sakeS"
but 1 must-I must. indeed"
cried, piteously. "You don't know
you can't tell what 1 suffered when
felt her hand creeping up to my throat
and thought 1 was going to be killed
did, indeed. And then 1 thought the
stuff on the handkerchief was poison
She says it is only something to make
me sleep. Is it true, Mr.. Rayneri
| Hnre Is the handkerchief - And