Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-03-29

stood for a moment silently before the
| fire She was a slight, pale woman,
! with features which might once navy
haen nleasing. but they were lharieu
| nv a sIeepy. stealthy expression, winch
had caused Herbert. in Il mt OF cnllulsh
anger. TO aptly, though irreFerenu!'
coupare her To Il dOZllS cat.
h always wore a cap with snow
aooting tabs, and a pair Of black lace
mittens. Her widows garb was III al
other respects. strictly neat ana oh
ventionaL, Her soft, clinging ropes
| nevpr rustled; her soft slippers never
creakcd. She moved about III mouse
as gently. as noiselessIy', ah", "
seemed. as harmlesSiy as q shauu",
But the servants knew run wen :.
faintest whisper of that lo" No,S
must be obeyed. They had all lel' ihS
iron strength Of will which ~cohtroileu
and directed every portion OF the uo,
nestle machinery at Give IoWeIs' anu
they feared, hated, but respected the
slight, pale woman who was so surrey
mistress there.
Towards the son and daughter OF inc
house she was always gentle anu ~,
fpctlonate; 10 the master, respectlul
and submissive; 10 the guests, Silent
and reserved.
In short. she was a model house
kpeppr. and under her able damage
ment and wise supervision GIVE Tow
ers was a model house.
Yer, strange to say. Sybil had from
the first felt an ineXplicable dislike Lor
this quiet woman. Some
| chord of her being seemed to thrill Il
warning at her approach, as II an en-
amv were near. More than once she
had detected n watchful glance cast
,ipon her by those sleepy blue eyes;
more than once Shuddered to II them
suddenly and nOiSeleSsly. at her side.
Tonight the girls overweight mo
! lions were scarcely within colttrol.
She felt as if she could not bear the
namelesS oppression which the house
! kpeppr's presence caused her. h had
her letter TO read-the letter still
! crushed in her bosom, resting on her
throbbing heart. She must be alone.
-. trust. Miss Wraye. that you feel
no serious Inconvenience from your
late walk this evening" said the low,
| clear voice, at last.
Il was a little chilled: that was ALL"
answered Sybil, hastily. Fannie, IN
her friendly anxiety. exaggerated a
mere passing sensation into an ailment.
There is, really nothing the matter
with me, Mrs. Wyllis, and should be
sorry to detain you from duties h a
are, no doubt. far more urgent than
any slight attention Fannie imaglnes l
require at your hands"
MY duties are so regulated that L
never find them urgent" was the com
posed reply. II always have sufficient
time TO attend to the wants and re-
uuirements of Mr.. or Miss Gives
guests. If l might ~Tenture a sugges-
ton. Miss Wraye, | think you will find
a little valerian and ammonia service
able as Il harmless nervine-one that
will insure you a pleasant nights rest.
The late Mrs. Give. in her last illness,
used it frequently"
Thank YOU. no." answered Sybil,
with an irrepressible shudder. II re
quire nothing, really nothing, but quiet
and rest"
You find your room perfectly com
Portable " said the housekeeper, with q
strange information on the closing word
Perfectly replied Sybil; comfort
able in every respect"
81 am glad to hear it," answered
Mrs. Wyllis, smoothing her mittens
with a stealthy gesture peculiar to her
self. Il feared it might be a little
little gloomy for a young person. | an
glad you find it comfortable, Miss
Wraye-very glad, indeed! And, since
you will not accept any assistance
from me, l will bid you goodnight
very goodnight" #....
And. with a little stiff bow, the
housekeeper turned away, stopping OF
the threshold to cast one Of her swift
furtive chances at the slight figure
that, with its golden hair still falling
around it like a veil. stood beneath Tho
dark, frOwning portrait of old Basi
Give. .s .....
As the door closed behind Mrs. Wyl
lis, Sybil drew the letter from he
bosom ard glanced hastily over its few
cramped lines.
There was neither address nor sigma
ture. Only these hasty, AUTHORITATIVE,
words:
Il must see you tonight in the grave
yard by the river. My time is short
and my path is perilous. as you know
SO do not fail me. Be sure to come.
will be therev' ~. 49,. IA. H..
l.. TO be Continued.)