Courier Democrat., 1900-03-29

stood for moment silently before the
fire. She was a slight, pale woman,
with features which might once have
been pleasing, but they were marred
by sleepy, stealthy expression, which
had caused Herbert, in a fit of childish
anger, to aptly, though irreverenty
compare her to doing cat.
She always wore a cap with snowy,
floating tabs, and pair of black lace
mittens. Her widows. garb was, in all
other respects, strictly neat and con-
ventional. Her soft, clinging robes
never rustled; her soft slippers never
creaked. She moved about the house
rs gently, as noiselessly, and. IT
seemed, as harmlessly as Il shadow.
But the servants knew full well the
faintest whisper of that low voice
must be obeyed. They had all felt the
iron strength of will which controlled
and directed every portion of the do,
mestic machinery at Give Towers. ana
they feared, hated. but respected, the
slight. pale woman who was so surely
mistress there.
Towards the son and daughter OF the
house she was always gentle and al
fectionate; to the master, respectful
and reserved.
In short, she was a model house
keeper. and under her able manage
ment and wise supervision Give Tow
ers was Il model house.
Yet. strange to say, Sybil had from
the first felt an inexplicable dislike for
this quiet woman. Some magnetic
chord of her being seemed to thrill 4
OF hn,.
envy were near. More than once she
had detected a watchful glance cast
upon her by those sleepy blue eyes;
more than once shuddered to find them
suddenly and noiselessly. at her side.
Tonight the girls overwrought emo
tions were scarcely within control.
She felt as if she could not bear the
nameless oppression which the house
keepers presence caused her. She had
her letter to read-tle letter still
crushed in her bosom, resting Oh her
throbbing heart. She must be alone.
g. trust, Miss Wraye, that you feel
no serious Inconvenience from your
late walk this evening"" said the low,
clear voice, at last.
II was a little chilled; that was all"
answered Sybil. hastily. "Fannie. in
her friendly anxiety. exaggerated
mere passing sensation into an ailment
There is really nothing the matter
with me, Mrs. Wyllis. and l should be
sorry to detain you from duties that
are, no doubt, far more urgent than
any slight attention Fannie imagines
require at your hands"
"My duties are so regulated that
never find them urgent" was the com
posed reply Il always have sufficient
time to attend to the wants and re-
uuirements of Mr.. or Miss Clive's
guests. If 1 might venture a sugges-.
ton, Miss Wraye, I think you will find
a little valerian and ammonia service
able as a harmless nervine-one that
will insure you pleasant nights rest.
The late Mrs. Give, in her last illness,
used it frequently"
''Thank you, no." answered Sybi
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 intonation on the closing word.
"Perfectly," replied Sybil; comfort
able in every respect" 81
II am glad to hear it," answered
Mrs Wyllis. smoothing her mittens
with stealthy gesture peculiar to her
self. ':I feared it might be a little
little gloomy for young person. am
glad you find it comfortable, Miss
Wraye-very glad, indeed! And, since
YOU will not accept any assistance
from me. I will bid you good-night-a
very good-night!'
And with a little stiff bow. the
housekeeper turned away, stopping on
the threshold to cast one of her swift.
furtive glances at the slight figure
that, with it's golden hair still falling
around it like veil, stood beneath the
dark, frowning portrait of old Basil
Give.
AS the door closed behind Mrs. Wyl-
lis Sybil drew the letter from her
bosom and glanced hastily over its few
cramped lines.
There was neither address nor sigma
ture. Only these hasty, authoritative
words:
81 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'
(To be Continued.)