The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-12-02


continued on my way to Mrs. Saltby's
dressing room.
The drawings were little studies
had made while down at the seaside,
where had spent my vacation; made
Tor Mrs. Saltby-to whom had been
companion" for year-and Mrs. Salt
by had been interested in them, say
ng-
Touch them up bit, Violet, and
will get portfolio for them and keep
them
1 usually sat with her in her dress
ing room through the morning. And
thither I now repaired to touch up
the drawings, while she sat with
her slippered feet on the fender, en-
broidering with purple and crimson
woods. gave her the letter, and went
to low seat in the deep bay window.
/ sharpened pencil, and then hap
pened to glance toward my compan-
ion. Her face was ashy white. Her
profile was turned toward me. In its
regularity and pallor it looked like
face cut in stone. But had never
seen it look so sharp and deathly. The
letter was clenched in her hand. l
had brought her bad news.
I was shocked, but silent. tried to
remember what 1 knew of her family
relations. She was handsome. black
aaired woman of fifty, who had been
early widowed, and returned to her
"a hers house. Her parents were
dead. Her mother had died in her in
fancy, and she had been the mistress
of Redburn Hall ever since. 1t was
not long, however, since her fathers
decease. She had never had child.
had ever heard of. I could not SUR
mise what had happened. saw her
burn the letter, and then rose and left
the room.
Afterwards guessed whom that
communication was from.
A week passed. They were quiet
and comfortable, but rather mon0ton-
Gus, weeks at Redburn. But, though
young, I was less restless than rlost
girls. was not unhappy with Mrs.
Saltby. Only sometimes / wished for
little change.
1t came-a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-Mrs. Salt
by's lawyer and personal friend from
town. I was dressing her hair, as
sometimes did, for she liked my ar
rangements-pronoun them artic-
tic. Suddenly, without knock or warn
ing, the door was flung open and
young man walked in.
felt Mrs. Saltby start under my
hands. was frightened-the intruder
looked so bold and reckless. He was
very handsome; but he seemed to ME
to have been travelling long. or to have
come out of some revel. His linen was
seiled, his long, clustering hair I'M
brushed, and eyes bloodshot. Yet his
appearance was singularly attractive.
I had never before seen so high-.red
and graceful man.
Mrs. SaItby did not speak to him.
He seated himself before and not far
from her. however.
$50 on, Violet" she said.
Certainly, let the young lady pro-
coed with her task" he said quickly.
what have to say need not inter-
fere with her employment. l under-
stand that she is your companion anu
coafidante, though l have not had the
pleasure of meeting her before"
The last sentence appeared to have
been quite mechanically spoken, for
he had fixed his eyes fiercely upon Mrs.
Saitby's face, and seemed to see only
her. l went on pinning up the bralds
of her hair as had been bid, but my
hands trembled. l could not see her
face, but / think she met that look
steadily.
"You refused me-" he said, in a far
different tone from that in which he
had first spoken. low and concentrated.
Certainly" she answered.
"Do you want my blood upon your
headY' he exclaimed.
81 washed my hands clea; of you
: long ago." she answered composedly.
"Long ago. he repeated.
- t.oA tn,