Middletown transcript., 1904-03-12
The Youngest Miss Passinsham
!. CHAPTER VI
foosrINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

FcoSrINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
CHAPTER VI
After Molly had left her in their sisters
rosm Stella lay down on the lounge, and,
wearied out by wakeful night. soon fell
fast asleep. Her eyes had not long been
closed. when Miss Passingham awoke.
She raised herself ON her elbow, and
looked round the room with an eager
glance. Her haggard face frightened
when she saw that Stella was asleep,
With a painful effort-for she felt very
weak-she drew herself into sitting
posture and opened the desk by her side.
1t contained paper and envelopes and
stylographic pen. Slowly snd with diffi-
Guilty she wrote short letter and enclosed
il in an envelope. She had just managed
to address and seal it and place it in the
desk, when Stella started up, conscious
OF having slept at her post
oh, Catharine, did you call me? How
could I have gone to sleep! Did you
want anything?
Nothing at all. was glad to see that
YOU were resting. Did frighten you
last night, child? You look very white.
I was frightened little, Stella con-
fessed. But you are better now-are you
not, Catharine Molly said that she
thought that you we're much better. !.
Yes-I am much better. Where is
Molly? But she went on, without wait
ing for Stella's answer, I hear Jane in the
other room. Tell her to ask James to
bring me up the letter-bag when it comes.
And make Molly 60 to bed. She has
been up all night. But can trust You
to look after her, Stella. You always
loved her. Go now, and leave me to
Jane.
Stella went quickly to Molly's room,
but, not finding her there, passed on to
her own room to dress, intending to 60
out in the garden and scold her sister for
not resting. She felt sure that she would
find her among her roses. Later in the
morning she meant to tell her what she
had told Anthony the night before. But
there was time enough for that. She
would wait until Molly had had good
rest.
She had finished dressing and was
about to leave her room, when there was
knock at the door. Miss Passingham's
maid had come to ask her to 60 to her
mistress.
She has letter for you, Miss Stella.
And she wants to give it to you herpelf.
Stella blushed guiltily. She guessed
from whom the letter must have come,
and little half-frightened smile curled
her lips as the idea flashed upon her that
Catharine knew Mr.. Creighton's hand
writing, and was about to cross-examine
her on the extent Of their acquaintance.
A few moments afterwards Molly came
slowly across the lawn from the woods.
Her face looked very worn in the morn
ing light, but it was very calm. The
bitter unreasonable jealousy OF Stella,
which had shaken her gentle soul to its
depths, had lasted only for moment or
two. She remembered how unwittingly
Stella had stoled her happiness-that
phantom happiness which had never
really been hers. She told herself that
she had been mad to dream for an in
slant that Alan loved her still. Any pale
memory that he retained Of her must
have vanished when he and Stella met.
How could he help loving Stella-beauti-
full, sweet and gifted And now he must
never know what Catharine had done
be must never know the truth. Molly
felt that that was the one thing which
she could not bear now-that lie should
know how she had loved him.
She was thinking, as she crossed the
lawn, how best TO tell Catharine of Stella's
engagement. She feared for the effect
that it might have on her, yet it was
clear that she must be told, and soon.
For Alan was coming to Newlyn that
day, so Anthony had said. She shrank
intensely from telling her herself, yet
she saw that she must do it. And she
waited for a moment in the cool dark
hall to gather strength for the ordeal
before going upstairs.
Suddenly she heard faint cry from
above, then Miss Passingham's door was
flung open and Stella came running out.
But Molly was half way upstairs by that
time, and met her in the gallery.
Oh, Molly, come quickly Stella cried.
Catharine is ill again.
Molly rushed into her sisters room.
Catharine had fallen back on the pillows,
gray and rigid. She lay like one already
dead, except for the burning misery in
her sunken yet brilliant eyes.
It was return Of the fainting-it, and
was very severe, being followed by a
slight paralytic stroke. But there was
no immediate danger, the doctor said
when he came. She would probably
regain her speech, which she had tenn
porarily Lost, in few days. All that
could be done was to watch her carefully
and keep up her strength.
Molly herself went to tell Stella what
the doctor had said. She had sent her
TO lie down in her room, but Stella had
not been able to keep quiet. She was
walking about restlessly when Molly
, gently knocked and entered. And che
ran to her and held her tightly, speaking
through her tears.
Oh, Molly darling, it is so dreadful
Poor, poor Catharinel And does the
doctor really think that she does not
suffer much and will soon be better?
was horribly frightened. / felt that it
was my fault. There was a letter for
me But sit down here by the win
dow. No-don't 60 for moment-for
Molly had made quick shrinking move
ment, drawing herself away from Stella's
encircling arms-there is something that
must tell you-s something which ought
"a have told WON whan I Il rot ,a,,,o hou,.