The Yale expositor., 1894-10-05

whose name she had never heard,
and it was very short. very much to
the purpose, and almost brutal in
its plainness.
1t said that Colonel Anderson
had that day reques ted them to draw
up deed OF separation between him
and his wife, by which her own in
come and Pigeonwick were to be
hers, for her separate use and main
tenance, out of which were to be de-
frayed the expenses of Mr.. Tom An
derson, now at Oxford. That the
house in Harley street, with its con-
tents, save such things that actually
belonged to herself. were to belong
solely to the colonel, also his income
from half-pay, and all private prop
erty whatsoever. Such servants as
she required, Mrs Anderson was de-
sired to select, and take with her TO
Pigeonwick, and finally she was
courteously desired to make all her
arrangements as speedily as possible,
as Colonel Anderson had arranged to
go abroad Immediately.
Oh! with what cruel, what inde-
cent haste was he hurrying to be
rid of her, giving not even time to
her in which to draw breath!
The humble words of prayer for
forgiveness that had trembled all
that day on Mary's lips were driven
back and choked by the deep burn
ing sense of injustice succeeding tnat
first speechless anguish in her soul
would he have dared to
turn even Il servant out so abruptly,
without giving her a chance of beg
ging forgiveness for tho fault she
hap committed?
But wife is an upper servant
who cannot even claim the right of
giving or receiving a months warn
ing, who has no wages. no perquis-
ties, and is never expected TO be Ill,
or cross or unfit for her duties from
years end to years end.
Mary had for some time ceased 10
tremble, and now she rose up and
walked, with the dignity that some
times comes with great calamity,
upstairs
1t seemed TO her that she stayed
for hours upon hours in the dainty
rooms, sweet with flowers and gay
with the many gleanings of de-
lightful taste, and the treasures that
accumulate naturally in house that
has been dwelled in many years.
There hung his portrait, as good
looking and sweet-tempered a
young fellow then as ever wore the
uniform of the "Pinks." " Yonder
were the miniatures of tho children
who had died, and OF the little girl,
over whose death John had grieved
most of all, and lock OF whose hair
he wore always next his heart
Mary looked at them all, with that
proud anger still in her breast, and
Lady Blanche's face very clear and
distinct before her, and when at last
she went upstairs, she was proud
and angry and irrecoRcilable still,
and it was with a sense of relief
that, missing her maid, Mrs
Fletcher, she remembered she had
given the woman holiday to go
into the country TO see her child, re-
naming until the next day.
When she had got into her dress.
ing. gown. and was brushing out her
abundant, curly brown hair, she sud
denly heard some one moving softly
in the adjoining dressing-room, and
stood still, with beating heart to
listen.
1t was not John. but Fletcher
She opened the door partly, and
called to him.
what are you doing, Fletcher"'
she said.
IL have had telegram from mas
ter, ma'am saying he would be very
late, and had better prepare the
dressing. room for him tonight"
She shut the door softly, and went
| back.
[TO De CONTINUED.