The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-11-29

MON received the letter, and
continued on my way to Mrs. saltby's
dressing room.
The drawings were little studies
had made while down at the seaside,
whore had spent my vacation; made
for Mrs. sSaltby to whom had been
companion for year-and Mrs. Salt
BY had been interested In them, say
ing
Touch them up a bit, Violet. and
will get portfolio for them and keep
thenl''
| 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
ller 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.
1 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 deathIy. The
letter was clenched in her hand.
had brought her bad news.
was shocked, but silent tried to
remember what knew of her family
relations. She was handsome. black
haired woman Of fifty. who had been
early widowed, and returned to her
fathers 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
.deeease. She had never had child.
She had no brothers or sisters whom
had ever heard Of. l could not sur
mise what had happened. I saw her
hurn 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 monoton-
GUS, weeks at Redburn. But, though
young. was less restless than most
girls. I was not unhappy with Mrs.
Saltby Only sometimes | wished for
a little change.
4 came-a most startling episode.
we had company to dine-Mrs. Salt
by's lawyer and personal friend from
town. was dressing her hair, as |
sometimes did, for she liked my ar
Engagements pronouncing them ardc-
tic. Suddenly, without knock or warn
ing. sle door was flung open and a
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
soiied, his long, clustering hair I'M
brushed, and eyes bloodshot. Yet his
appearance was singulariy attractive,
had never before seen so high-hred
and graceful man.
Mrs. Saltby did not speak to him.
He seated himself before and not far
from her, however.
..Go on, Violet she said.
Certainly, let the young lady pro-
ceed with her task" he said quickly
what l have to say need not inter-
fere with her employment. under
stand that she is your companion and
confidante, though 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.
Saltby's face, and seemed to sec only
her. / went on pinning up the bralds
OF her hair as had been bid, but my
hands trembled. / could not see her
face. but | think she met that look
steadily.
You refused me-" he said, in far
different tone from that In which he
had first spoken, low and concentrated.
Certainly" she answered.
DO you want my blood upon your
headsv be exclaimed.
"A washed my hands clear Of you
long ago. she answered conposedly.
Long ago." he repeated,
And wave of emotion, that was in
explicable to me, went over his face.
Then he was silent. 4 don't know
why, but that moment + pitIed him.
He got up and commenced walking The
door.
II tell you, Winifred, must have
this money" he said; II must have it,
aud tonight. tonight" he repeated
Mrs. saltby was silent, caught
glimpse Of her face. Flint was not
harder.
s'Let me have It, Winifred." he said,
pausing before her, "and I promise
you q shall be the last tinc." She
made no reply. ''The last true. r
mean 1t, Winifred." His voice fall
tered. she did not speak. @WiIl
your
No. she replied, with no emotion
whatever
Its face had been working with
some strong, deep feeling But that
nonosyllable seemed to strike him like
blow. He stood looking at her. his
face still ana desperate.
u did not think God could make such
woman as you are" be said at last.
felt her shrink beneath the actual
horror with which he seemed to regard
her. But she spoke with unaltered
conposure:
X told You more than year ago
that should pay no more debts Of
YOURS, contracted in gambling or in
a. 49,