The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-07

or "a coughing before ! Knocked so that
the poor dear might not jump and start.
SIR. Percy is not very we'll. Kate.
said she one day. DO You think wa can
get him away by tbe-3d of OctoberY"
Then | know what was in her mind,
poor darling, Tor ID was on oct g. his
birthday. that Mr.. Percy knew that he
would die.
As October approached. Mr.. Percy be-
came very nervous. ana though l had nc
love for him except that he was tho hus'
band of my dear mistress l pitied him,
for he grew whittier and thinner and
knew that he expected the worst
One morning. it was the day before,
while 1 was helping with the dining
room. l heard voices outside-Mr. Percy :
and Miss Marions'-and stepping TO the
window l heard Miss Marion say "Do
not fonr Percy, darling. Ii 1t comes 70
you again l will drive il away. We will
sit up and wait for IL. You and l. until
ten minutes past l-the hour But Percy,
dear IL will not come; that l know. be-
cause love you so wells 1t would lie
too cruel" "
The next day was Oct 3. the master s
birthday. Ana 10y night the house was
filled with guests. for Miss Marion would
not allow tho shadow Co affect her. And
MIR. Percy threw IL off, too, and was
merry that night, Just as he was when
Miss Marion fell In love with him.
AS the clock hands crept around to-
ward l, l noticed that Mr.. Percy spoke
To Miss Marion. and they both stole away
TO the study. Miss Mapon's face was
very white, and Mr. Percy looked "a
though CIT from marble.
Then i, Kate did wicked thing. But
10 was for love OF my mistress l ran
around tho side a. the house TO whore IA
grape vine clam bored up. and catching
1t in my hands i climbed 10 the story
above until my eyes wero Oh level with
tt Study window.
There sitting in the middle of the room.
were my master and mistress waiting.
The CLOCKS had all been taken out OF the
library. and without knowing the second
of his going. my master sat calmly wait
ing for Ceath. Opposite him, with
pale face supported upon her hand, in hen
ballroom dress, just as shc had left the
dancers, was Miss Marion Frightened
so that could not keep my bold, slipped
back down the vine.
An hour later the guests were bidding
good .bye TO Miss Marion ana Mr.. percy.
and the old house was ringing with happy
returns for master and mistress. Death
had not sought the master.
After that Miss Marion was happier,
though thought may she forgive me
that she was "a trifie cold toward DIR.
Percy, and that she listened with less
patience and showed less solicitude when
he hai his queer spells. Are you not
convinced now, Percy, that they are myths,
nightmares
Quite to the contrary, he replied, as
next October will show YOU"
After that for eight years we lived with
the fate Of that month hanging over us.
Master thought and spoke of nothing
end on that day, ana he made Miss Mar
ion do the same. nor. could she persuade
MIN TO let her do otherwise. Her tenants,
her tradespeople ana her servants began
to think her Cdd. and my poor mistress
Rroaned under 1t secretly as "a heavy bur
den. But never J~tn TO me did she give
sign of this weight upon her.
And every year on tbs night of Oct 3.
they sat up, Miss Marion and Master
Percy. And every year Miss Marion grew
more and more impatient OF the vigil.
II am afraid / am not a young as
once was, Katie, " said she. with "A sigh.
as l undressed her. worn out and nervous
after masters birthday watch.
Then how shall / tell IL, but my mis-
tress began TO grow strange. She became
irritable. and sometimes To me she utter
ed hasty words that she would bite bel
tongue out rather than speak again
II am so tired. Katie, so tired" she
would saw, jusb like tired child. Pm
so tired Katie, that sometimes ] wish"-
anu tuou u NTuci llknJ Ctlhb III
her angel eyes, and she put her hand over
them to shut it out
And master all this time lived in the
shadow OF his fate. reading his strange
books.
But Miss Marion did not often heai
him, for she avoided him, and some
times have kEown her TO miss seeing
him for days except as they met a. tn,
dinner table. What do you mean by
avoiding meg' he demanded of hel
fiercely, when you know that the day
Is 80 near at hand. Ii you cannot show
"A wifely respect shall make you do SO
] will call down the vision uIon you
You shall SEQ and suffer as do .
But Percy, am afraid. You irigbter
met
Fool" he said contempuously. 81
might have known how ignorant yor
were.
1t was once mora the eve of the Sd o
October and masters presentiment was
stronger than ever. 1t was "Walk Will
me. Marion, while ] describe the vision
exactly as 1t spoke 20 me. Marion, / or
sure the voice will come aRain'-unti
my poor mistress was worn TO u shadoW
listening 10 his lingo.
Nj tress wanted TO have q birthday
party than year as usual. but on mention
Of IL master How in a rage. " Better
dance on my collin, said he. and surUd,
out or the dining room, with tho sour
still on the table. Miss Marion, cold anC
proud. would not follow him; and aftcl
dinner there was "a hot time on the
vtranda under the reddening vines.
hoard Miss Marion sav: . BuJ this is d
living uguth for me. Percy. For u yeal
| have not seen or spoken to q soul eE
Ccpt the servants. You are selfish Iol
are so sure Of your death that you allnus
make others wishl'
There was crash. and | sprnug out o
tho door in time to SEQ Miss Marion or
one knee, while beside her lay a shattlteG
chair You fell yourself. Marion sal,
MIR. Percy, rot Offering 80 raise her. 81
dnshed tho chair tO the floor when yO,
nXnannrutad mo Ynnr Lnmnts Ynnr,l-