The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-03-19
4 NOBLE REVENGE.

4 NOBLE REVENGE.
Il am very sorrv that this should
have happened. Miss Etherege; you
have met all my requirements i'll every
respect. In an establishment of this
sort one is forced TO be exceedingly
careful. almost over-cautious rs one
may saw | think YOU will find Your
salary quite correct as to the amount"
Mrs Carter, the smoOth-voiced and
gracious 'propr;etrcSsn of the Minerva
Academy for Young Ladies, smiled as
sweetly as if she were not cutting off
poor Agnes Ethcrege,s dependence for
daily bread, us she laid the money on
the teachers lap.
Il understand Agnes said, grow
ing quite white, and with a strange
quivcr in her voice. Mr.. Lundie has
been talking to you"
Mrs. Carter purscd up her lips.
Il am not ut liberty to give the
name of my informant" she said
primly, but the promptitude with
which YOU guess at the name of pos
sible suggester certainly would give
the idea that YOU were prepared for
some such accusation"
Agnes rose up YEARLY. OF what
use were defense. argument. pleading?
Did not Hugh Lundie's vengeance fol-
low her everywhere, blighting her
every prospect? Had he not said to
her, with green. glittering light in
those cruel eyes OF his, Il will yet COM
pei YOU to be my wifc?'
No; he could not do that. She
q, p,i,i,t ~
actual necessaries of life; she might
even be driven to throw herself. some
of these stormy nights, into the black.
chilly alb IS of the cruel river to find
oblivion for good ard all; but she
never would marry him.
This was the third situation of which
his subtle schcmingS had deprived her.
She was alone and helpless in the
world; he was strong and powerful.
Why was it that one human creature
had power To exert such evil influence
over another?
She went home, with Il duh, fixed
look in her eyes. and a deadly white
ness on her checks. What could she
do now? For she was weak, and
young, and slender, and perilously
beautiful, and the world was SO relent-
less and cruel.
Agnes Elherege was working out
the problem that many OTHER human
souls struggle through; and how do
we know how many sink ctcTnally in
the strife, and never are heard of
mOrc9
The little lodging where she kept
her trunk. and which she dignilitd by
tie title of home" had never before
seemed 50 high up and difficult OF ac-
cess, bat when she opened the door
she started back with low cry. 1t
was no longer dark, chill and silent.
Lights burned on the mantel, and II
great fire of hiwh-hcaped Goals roared
up the chimney. while shrcwd-faced.
little old man. brown and keen, with
glittcring eyes. like a human squirrel.
sat spreading his hands over the blaze.
"Ah" He looked up with Il nod.
You are Agnes. | suppose? You
don't know me of cOurse?'
No. sir" said Agnes, half expect
ing to see the whole scene melt and
dissolve. like the fabrication of en-
chantmcnt; Il do not"
well, | don't know how you
should said the old man. I'm your
Uncle Tobit. I've come home to live.
Hindostan,s a very nice climate. but
its 4 little Shakv when one has passed
ones Goth wear. I'm going into the
banking business | want YOU 10 keep
house for me. Yes, | know; you al
ways supposed l was dead out in the
east. let Your mother think so. l
was a wild chap in my day, and no
particular credit to any of my rela-
lives; and when | had decent record
to show her, why. she was dead.
That's ali over and goue-no use cry
ing over split milk. Come
Aud Mr. Daniel Tobit rose up and
seized yellow alpaca umbrella, which
apparently constituted his sole stock of
baggage.
Are you ready? l can have fly
at the door in five minutes"
'But, uncle"
The old man chuckled.
Say it again; it sounds good
uncle"
Where are we going uncle?" asked
Agnes. her heart beginning to warm
strangely toward this eccentric old
man.
10 my a9cut ;. lie mas nlEeu
house for me somewhere and furnished
it with something. | dare say it will
do we'll enough as long as the roof
don't leak and the cellars aren't damp
And Agnes Etherege, feeling as if
She were i'll Il dream, allowed herself
TO be led away from the old room and
the old life. ard the drearily brooding
shadows of tne past.
Uncle Daniel Tobit loaded her with
luXuries-hung her with jewels rs if
she had been q glittering eastern idol,
aud anticipated her slightest wish.
Agnes had no more loneliness and
penury now-yet the one thing over
which she most rejoiced was the COM
plcte severing of aught resembling n
link between her new life and her old.
Hugh Lundie did not know where
she was now. He could never track
her to this haven Of peace. The Lord
had at last provided for this poor, lit
tie shorn lamb,
Yet withal. she had sort of shud-
4 l., T. -