The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-21

Wlu 80 now 0tu nov Know inst
| II was 20 late, (" said Ellen.
. Not with that face, / should hope
unless you wish 70 work on Mr.. Bow
gers sympathy. For my part, ] think
such repinine downright wicked, espeo.
Tally when ones e. well Oh ~ you are
now. It looks a. II you had something
on your mind" said Mrs. Priolo.
" Perhaps / have, 2 said Ellen, YEARLY,
as she put away her work.
Then take my advice, and don't
show 1t 30 plainly. Curiosity Is aroused
already by your strange behavior; don't
let II become an actual suspicion unless,
| OF course with q sneer--" your past
life will bear looking into.p
Not waiting for reply, or giving the
other time to get out Of the room, she
turned out the gas, and both were left
| In darkness.
Was it Ellen's excited fancy, or did
she really hear whisper--three words
muttered in low malicious tone that
| the prevailing silence rendered clear and
cruelty distinct. Her own sister n
To open ones eyes on pleasant sunny
morning, when balmy breeze is blow.
ing and birds are singing In the trees,
| gives curious sense or unreality when
| the preceding night has been q wakeful
one and terrible with dire forebodings.
All seems like dream, and In the first
reaction one is inclined to underrate
the dangers that may have been exag'
| gerated the day before.
So 1t was with Ellen Warde.
She was aware OF the housekeeper's
eagerness to drive her away, and came to
the conclusion that this was only ruse
to effect her purpose. She had seen the
effect Of her former chance allusion, and
was harping on the same string. Ellen's
natural courage reasserted itself Mrs.
Priolo had declared war-well, she would
find the challenge taken up.
When the breakfast-bell rang, Ellen
went downstairs singing softly to her
self, fastened q crimson rose into her
belt as she entered the room, which
relieved her from the necessity Of en-
countering the housekeeper's first glance
Of startled surprise.
Bless my heart, you're looking fine
and gay this morning Have you heard
good news = was asked bluntly.
No; but have received some good
advice, and mean to profit by it. As you
say, it is Of no use grieving forever"
said Ellen, seating herself at the table.
Humph It's well for those who can
forget. There's some who have no right
to be happy and contented like other folk
hope you don't mean yourself, Mrs.
Priolo. ! should be sorry to think you
were one Of those.n
The retort goaded the elderly woman
almost to madness. She crossed over to
Ellen's side and bent down till their faces
nearly touched. --...ks~.--<alssp.a
g I'll tell you who Is " she cried, with
spiteful emphasis; but, before another
word could leave her lips, Mr. Bowyer's
entrance created diversion.
What is this2n he asked testify.
Is breakfast not ready2 The bell rang
some time ago."
Ellen jumped up lightly and drew his
chair to the table, g Mrs. Priolo was
just going to tell me story. She must
reserve II for some other time,n she
explained, then, turning to the house,
keeper, who was white with rage" II
you will go and hurry them In the kitchen,
/ viii make the tea for my uncle"
When she returned Ellen was retailing
little bits Of news that she had heard
from Colonel Severn the night before,
and Mr.. Bowyer was talking more brightly
than he had done for some time.
How bonny you look, childi You
must come and read to me this morning.
! have been afraid to ask you to do SO
lately, you have seemed so tired and ILL.,"
!" But now am better, and mean to
turn over new leaf. All the effects OF
your lecture, Mrs. Priololn
The housekeeper maintained logged
silence. She dared not retort in Mr..
Bowyer's presence; but spiteful CLEAN
in her eyes threatened retaliation at some
future time.
Afterward, when at last the invalid fell
asleep, and she was free from observe
ton, the mask fell and her face looked
the more worn and troubled from the
light-heartedness that she had assumed
till then. Discovery would, she felt sure,
come sooner or latter; still she might
delay, though not able to avert 1t.
Noiselessly she arose and went over to
the writing-table. She had determined
to beg Colonel Severn to say nothing Of
what she had 80 thoughtlessly admitted
the night before. He would, she was
confident, make no use Of the knowledge
he had gained; but in other hands the
clew might be q dangerous one.
DEAR COLONEL SEVERN" she wrote,
glancing stealthily now and again in the
direction Of the sleeping man, lest he
should awake and question her" What
! said last night was said impulsively
and without thought. 1t might injure
me irretrieyably wereit to become known
that / had been an actress. May Irely
upon your kindness to keep it secret !?
You may probably imagine that the
request arises from the false pride which
disclained last night; but 1t is not SO
indeed. wish could tell you all but
that is impossible. can only throw
myself upon your generosity and trust