The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-01-23
The Evil Genius.
A STORY.
BY wILKiE

BY WILKiE COLLINS.
The instant attrwari Ne '~,s Sg' ~
the appearance o. 81 surs Ga .3iars into the
moonlight from the farther end of tie shrub
berry and rapidly approaching him. He was
near enough to see that it was the figure of a
woman. Was it one OF the female servants
hutrying back to the ilonsr after an inter
view With n sweetheart: In his black even
ing dress he was, III all probability, complete
ly hidden by the deep shadow in which he
stood. Would he be less likely to irishten
the woman ii he called to her than ii he al
lowed her to come close up to him in the
dark? He decided Oh calling to her.
WHO is out so iate?' he asked.
A cry of alarm answered him, The figure
stood still for u moment, aud then tuned
back as ii to escape him BY flight.
Don't be frightened lie said. Surely
you know my voiceY'
The figure stood still again. He showed
himself in the moonlight, and discovered
Sydney Westeliield.
Your he exclaimed.
she tremb!ed; the words in which she an
swered him We're words in fragments.
The garden was SO quiet and prctty--l
Thought there would be no ~harm-p!ease let
NE 90 back-ln afraid | shall bssliut out
Size tried to pass him. My poor ci,ild,"
he said, what is there TO be frightened
about? | have been tempted ont by the love
ly night, like you. Take my arm. II is so
close hi here among the trees. If we 80 back
to the lawn tie air will come 10 you ~freeis."
Size took his arm; lie could feel her heart.
thiobbnlg against it. Kindly silent, lie led
her back to- the open space. Some garden
chairs Were paced here and there; he sug-
ira, t.1. tl..t El, .t,v,,l, ..& r.. .I
"1m afraid ! shall be shut OUT she re-
peated. Pray let me get back"
He Yielded at once TO the wish that sne eX-
pressed. You must let me take you back
he exclaimed. They are all asleep at the
house by this time. No! no! don't be fright
ened again. have got the key of the door.
The moment l have opened ii you Shall 90 in
by yourself
She looked at him gratefully. lyon are
NOT offended with me now. Mr.. L.nley.' she
said. You are like OH kind self again"
They assembled the steps which led to the
door. Linley took the key from his pocket.
1t acted perfectly in drawing back the lock,
but the door, when he pushed it, resisted
him. He put his shoulder against ii. and ex-
erted his strength, helped by his weight. The
door remained immovablc.
Had one OF the seryGitS--sitting up7slatcr
thar usual after ihe party, and not aware
that Mr.. Lin!cy had gone into the garden
noticed the door, and carefully fastened the
bolts on the inner side? That was exactly
what had happened.
There was nothing for it but to submit to
circumstances. I.inscy led the way down
the steps again. I'VE are shut out" he said.
Sydney listened in silent dismmy. He
seemed tc be merely amused: hetrc&ted their
common misfortune US lightly as il it had
been a joke.
There's nothing so very terrible i'll our
situation," he reminded her. The ssrv-
ants Offices will be opened between 6 ard Z
O'Clock; the weather is perfect; andlhe SUM
mcr house in The French garden has one
easy-chair in ii to my certain knowledge. in
which You may rest and sleep. I'm sure YOU
must be tired-let me take You there
She drew back and looked up at the house.
Cant we make them hear ls?:' she asked.
Quite impossible. l5esides-" He was
ehout to remind her of the evil construction
which might be placed on their appearance
together, returning from the garden at an
advanced haurof the night; but her innocence
pleaded With MIN to be silent. lie only said:
"Iou forget that we ali Sleep at the top of
our old castle. There is no kudCkpr to the
door and 10 bell that rings upstairs. Come
to the S;mmer house. In an lor or two
more we shall see the sun rise
She took his arm in silence. they reached
the French garden without another word
having passed between them.
The summer house had been designed. in
harmony with the French taste of the last
century, from Il classical model. 1t was a
rough copy in wood of the tH.npie OF Vcsta
at RcEle. Opening the door FOR his compan-
ion, Liaiey paused bctoIo he followed her in.
a girl brought up ~ d careial mother would
have understood and appreciated his hesita-
ton; silo would have concealed any little
feeling OF embarrassment that might have
troubled her at the moment, and would have
asked him 10 CONF: 1a:!, and let her know
wholl tie rising of the sun began. Neglect
cd by her mother, worse Than neglected by
her aunt, Sydney's fearless Ignorance pat .
question which would lave lowered the poor
girl cruelty in the estimation OF Il stranger.
Are you going to leave me here by my self?:'
she asked. why DON'T yo0 come iny!'
Linley thought OF his visit to the school,
and remembered the detesfablc mistress. He
excused Sydney; he ielt .or her. She held
the door open for hin. Sure OF himself, he
entered the slnn!i.cr house.
As a marn of respect Oh her part, she Of
tcfed the armchair to him; It was the one
comfortable seat IN the neglected place. He
iiaisted that she should take it: and, search
Zig tile summer house, found :. wooien stool
for limseis. The small circular room re-
ceiyed but little OF tile dim outcc lignl-they
we're near each otller-ti.ey were silent. sgd
ney burst suddenly into Il nervous little
laugh.
Why do you iuugli." he asked, good-hll-
nluredly.
1T seems SO Strange Nj. Linley, for lis to
bo out here In the moment when she
made that repig her merri.nent vanished; She
looked ont sadly, through the open door, at
the stiffness OF the night. What should l
have done" She wondered, "if | had been
shut out OF the house by myse!fY' Her eyes
rested on him timidly; there was some
thought i'll her which she Shrank from en-
pressing. She only said: Il wish l knew
he" to be worthS OF .our kindness"
Her Voice warned hil.. that SHE was strug.
Cling with strong emotion. In one respect
msn are al alike; tl.ey hate 10 see Il woman
in tears. liniey treated her like a child; he
smiled. aud patted her On the shoulder.
Nonsense y lie said, gayly. There is no
merit i'll being kind TO my good little govern
es:."
She .oGK f!iat comforting hand-it was a
harmless impulse tia she was unable 10 re-
%sist-Sha ben: over it and kissed il gratefully.
He drew his band away irom her as ii tie
soft toach Ct her lip, had been FIRE that burn
ed it. o. she cried, "ftve 1 done wlongT'
Nc, my d%eRr-l!o. no.
There was All enibafiass;!sii in his man.
ner, the inevitable result OF his fear of him
self il he ialtered in the ~resoiutc exercise of
selI-lestsaint wliicii mas perfectly incomrre-
hensisle 10 Sydney. He moved his seat back
a little, SO as to place himself farther away.
Something i'll that action. at thai time, shock
ed and hnmiiiatcd her, Completely misun-
dcistanding him, she il0nsht he Was remind
ing her OF the distance that separated them
in social TANK. On. the shame Of 1t! the
shame 0f it.. Would other goreriesses have
taken a liberty with their master? A fit of
l4starical sobping burst its way through her
Lass reserves of se%lf-controi: she started to
her feet ana ran out of the summer house.
alarmed and distressed, he followed her
instantly.
She was leaning against de PEDESTAL OF q
l 81, lt,n iN fl,a ara ,.tp1t t,nYtt,,.a lA,tt4,ti,,,r -