Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-06-02

May she not stay here, sir?"
mo"
"She cannot go to the village. No
one would take in an insane girl"
Il do not mean to ask anyone To do
So"
There was an instant's pause. Fhen.
with quavering voice and with an fhe
strength OF protestation at her CON-
mand, the woman burst forth inplor.
ingly:
You would not insult my mistress
by bringing the girl beneath her roof
oh, sir, you would notp'
1T is my roof. Your daughter has
n legal claim to its shelter"
For once the womans resolution
proved itself worthy the name. She
rose to a momentary pitch of actual
heroism In her devotion to her mistress.
She regarded the man before her with
flaming eyes, and it must be borne IN
mind that she feared him only in less
degree than Madam.
she shall never seek shelter beneath
Madam's roof while 1 have arms 30
hold her back" she said doggediy.
Darracott considered her in silence a
few moments Then he appeared to
form a sudden resolve.
I'VE win see." he remarked: and
turning to me announced his readiness
TO depart. II shall return he said 70
the housekeeper, "after 1 have taken
Miss Lothrop home. Remain here with
your daughter"
But 1 would not desert the twain.
and fearlessly told him so. He looked
tired and spent, and evidently had no
heart to seek to combat my decision.
las you will, +" he said and was about
to pass from the room when Mayberry
threw herself before him.
You ARE not going to ask Madam"
she began; but his patience was at an
end. He brushed her aside as one does
u troublesome fly and strobe from the
room, taking care to avoid contact with
the girl, who still stood at the door.
with childish smile on her face.
stretching out playful hand to him
as he passed her.
The nfteeu or twenty minutes of Oar
racott's absence Il do not think il
could have been more than that drag
ged heavily away. The interval was
wearisome enough to me, occupied as
1t was by ceasless monologue from
Mrs. MayDerry. This was largely COM
posed of decentralization and de-
spair, and was accompanied by a con.
tinuouS Hood of tears, caused some.
times by violent outburstS oe grief and
sometimes by mere whimpering and
moaning. She constantly reiterated
her conviction that Mr. Chester had
gone to secure his mothers consent to
his purpose OF bringing the stricken
girl to The Ivies, and worked herself
into paroxysms of alarm and appre-
hension concerning Madam's resent
ment of her own conduct when she
should hear OF her duplicity.
Her behavior, her miserable e0otfsu
when totally excluded her suffering
child from her consideration, filed ma
with disgust. I tried to interrupt the
wretched exhibition by seeking 10 call
her attention to her daughter, who was
regarding her from a distance with
curious ana pleased glances; apparent
~ the girl was diverted and amused
Dy the spectacle of her mothers abtect
loss or self-control, and looked upon II
as simply successful effort on the
latter's part to entertain her. AZ an
unusually loud outburst she would clan
her hands applaudingly, and give vent
10 an encouraging and gratifed crow.
AT Iast grew so heartily sick OF the
business that dropped all disguise
from my feelings, and accosted the
quahtylng Niooe with actual HARSH
ness.
For Heavens sake, Mrs. Mayberry."
L SAD, giving free rein to my contempt.
30 stop thinking about yourself for
ume. What of it If Mr.. Chester has
gone to ask his mothers permission 10
lake your daughter home; why shosld-
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