The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-12-02

4 N1 + drawing materials; but !
HoN received the letter, and
continued on my way to Mrs. Saltby's
dressing room.
IA The drawings were little studies /
had made while down at the seaside,
where had spent my vacation; made
for Mrs. Saltby-to whom 1 had been
"companion" for year-and Mrs Salt
by had been interested in them, say
ing
lt"Touch them up bit. Violet, and l
will get O portfolio for them and keep
1hom."
I'll usually sat with her in her dress
ing room through the morning. And
thlther / now repaired to touch up
the drawings. while she sat with
her slippered feet on the fender, en-
broldering with purple and crimson
Wools. l gave her the letter, and went
10 n low seat in the deep bay window.
i sharpened q pencil, and then hap
pened TO glance toward my cOmpan-
ion. Her face was ashy white. Her
profile was turned toward me. I'm its
regularity and pallor II looked like n
face cut in stone. But | had never
seen it look so sharp ana deathly. The
letter was clenched In her hand. j
had brought her bad news.
III was shocked, but silent. I tried to
remember what knew of her family
relations. She was "A 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
decease. She had never had n child.
She had no brothers or sisters whom
j had ever heard Of. could not sur.
mise what had happened. | saw her
burn the letter. and then rose and left
the room.
WAfterwards guessed whom that
communication was from.
MA week passed. They were quiet
and comfortable, but rather monoton.
Gus, weeks at Rcdburn But, though
young, | was less restless than most
girls. ! was not unhappy with Mrs.
Satby. Only sometimes l wished for
q little change.
EIt came-a most startling episode.
N,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
ts-pronouncing them artic-
Tic. Suddenly, without knock or warn
ing, the door was dung open and a
young man walked in.
u i felt Mrs. Saltby start under my
bands. l was frlchtened-th intruder
looked so bold and reckless. He was
very handsome; but he seemed to me
20 have been travelling long, or TO have
come out of some revel. His linen was
sollcd, his long, clustering hair un
brushed, and eyes bloodshot. Yet his
appearance was singularly attractive.
l had never before seen so Digh-hred
and graceful n man.
~ Mrs. Saltby did not speak to him.
He seated himself before and no. far
from her, however.
\" "Go on, Violet" she said.
d Certainly, let the young lady pro
ceel with her task" he said quickly.
"What / have TO say need not inter
ferc with her employment. l 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 tiercely upon Mrs
Saltby's face, and seemed to sec only
her went on pinning up the braids
OF her hair as had been bid. but my
hands trembled. l could not see her
steadily.
4 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
heal?" he exclaimed.
II washed my hands clca; Of you
long ago." she answered composedly.
|, Long ago he repeated.
And wave Of emotion, that was In.
cxplicable to me, went over his face.
Then he was silent. | don't know
why, but that moment l pitied him.
He got up and commenced walking The
floor.
Il tell you. Winfred, I must have
this money" he said; "I must have it,
and tonight, tonight" he repeated.
Mrs. Saltby was silent. caught a
glimpse of her face. Flint was not
harder.
let me have IT, Winfred," he said,
pousing before her, "and | promise
you it shall be the last tine" She
made no reply. "The last tiuc.
mean it, Winfred" His voice fall
tered She did not speak. "wi!l
you"
NO." she replied. with no emotion
whatever.
His face had been working with
some strong, deep feeling. But that
mcaosyllable seemed to strike him like
a blow. He stood looking at her, his
face still and desperate.
Il did not think God could make such
wouan as you arc" he said at last.
] felt her shrink beneath the actual
horror with which he seemed to regard
her. But she spoke with unaltered
composure:
Il told you more than a year ago
that should pay no more debts of
yours, contracted in gambling or in
ary other way" she said. IL mean it.