The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-15

HolS received the letter. ant
continued OH my way TO Mrs. saltby'
dressing room.
The drawings were little studies
had made while down az the seaside
where had spent uy vacation; made
for Mrs. Saltby-to whom l had been
companion for q year-and Mrs. Salt
by had been interested ID them, say
ing
Touch them up bit. Violet. and
VIII get a portfolio for them and keep
them"
! usually sat with her in her dress
ing room through The morning. And
thther I now repaired to touch up
tile drawings, while she sat with
her slippered feet on the fender, eni-
broidering with purple and crimson
wools. ] gave her the letter. ana went
TO low seat ia the deep bay window.
! sharpenel 4 pencil, and then hap
pened to glance toward my compan-
Jon. Her face was ashy white. Her
profile was turned toward me. In its
regularity and pallor it looked Ike Il
face cut In stone. But l had never
seen it look so sharp and deathiy. The
letter was clenehed iii her hand. |
Lad brought her bad news.
was shocked but silent. tried to
remember what ! knew Of her family
relations. Size was handsome. black
haired woman Of ffty, who had been
early widowed, and returned to her
fathers house. Her parents were
dead Fer mother had died in heg in
fancy, and she had been the mistress
Of Redburn Hall ever since. 1t was
not long, however, since Ier fathers
deeease. She had never had n child.
She lad 10 brothers or sisters whom
/ had ever heard Of | could not sur
mise what had happened. I saw her
burn the letter, ana then rose and left
the room.
Afterwards l guessed whom that
communication was from.
A week passed. They were quiet
ana comfortable, but rather monoton-
Gus, weeks at Redburn But, though
young, ! WAS less restless than most
girls. l was not unhappy with Mrs.
Saltby. Only sometimes wished for
little change.
1t came-a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-Nrs. Salt
bys lawyer and personal friend from
town. l was dressing her hair, as 1
sometimes did, for she liked my ar
rangements-p -pronouncing them artic-
tic. Suddenly, without knock or warm
ing, the door was flung open and a
Young man walked in.
l felt Mrs Saltby start Under my
hands. l was frightened-the intruder
looked so bold aud reckless. He was
very handsome; but he seemed to me
10 have been travelling long. or to have
come out Of some revel His linen WAS
soiled, his long, clustering hair I'M
brushed, and eyes bloodshot. Yet his
appearance was singuarly attractive.
! had never before seen so hlgh-l'red
and graceful a man.
Mrs. Saltby did not speak to him.
He seated himself before and nos far
from her, however.
go on, Violet" she said
"Certanly, let the young lady pro
ceed with her task" he said quickly
"What I have to say need not inter-
fere with her employment / under
stand that she is your companion and
confdante, 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 see on.y
her. went on pinning up the braids
Of her hair as l had been bid but my
hands trembled. l could not see her
face, but l think she met that look
steadily.
"You refused me-" he said, ia 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
heads" he exclaimed.
Il washed my hands cleas Of you
long ago" she answered eomposedly.
Long ago." he repeated.
And wave Of emotion, that was in
explicable to me, went over his face
Then he was silent. don't kn9w
why, but that moment L pitied him.
He got up and commenced walking The
floor.
Il tell you. winifred, 1 urst have
this money" lie said Il must have it,
and tonight. tonight he repeated.
Mrs. Saltby was silent. caught
glimpse Of her face. Flint was not
harder.
.Let me have IT, Winifred," ne said.
pausing before her, "and I promise
you it shall be the last tine" She
made no reply. 1.-THE last tirle.
mean it, Winifred." His voice fall
tered. She did not speak -Will
you"
NO. she replied, with no emotion
whatever.
His face had been working with
some strong. deep feeling. But that
monosyliable seemed to strike him iike
a blow. He stood looking at her. his
face still and desperate.
Il did not think God could make such
woman as you are. he said at last