The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-12-02
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lent or go 20 him. He had dung him
self into a chair, and with his head
dropped into his arms folded upon the
back, was the most hopeless figure
had ever seen. She arose, for I had
finished her hair, ana took a seat near
er the Gre. Her lips were gray, as If
she were cold, but her face was stlll as
| inhexible as flint
He gave a groan and started up sud
denly.
81 am going" he said. T--" lie
met her eye, and asked "Why do you
not kill me? was altogether in your
hands once. You killed her, you will
remember"
A slight flush stained her check.
"You would have made her happy. I
suppose, if she had lived" she said,
sarcasticaIly. But the sting did not
seem to reach him.
"lf she had lived! Oh. Heaven, IL
she had lived Winifrcd, may God
deaf by You 1s you have dealt by me"
Il am willing she answered.
He remained but a moment longer.
Wrapping his cloak about him, he gave
her one look OF reprOach and left the
room. / looked wistfully at her; she
did not speak to me, and /, too, went
away. She was III the next day, but
on the following day she appeared
much as usual.
Of all that | thought and felt, I, Of
course, said nothing. The matter was
no affair Of mine. / understood that
the two were brother and sister. that
the young man was named Guy Sed-
ley, that he was dissolutc and in dis
grace, that Mrs. Saltby had taken care
Of him in bOyhood. but now ignored
the relationship. was in no way al
lowed to learn any more.
But on the second night / was awak
cncd by light shining into my cham
ber. 1t was something unusual, for
the little clock on the mantel was
Ginning IL. After a moment | slipped
out Of bed and gllded toward the open
door. The long, embroidered folds Of
my night dress nearly trippcd me up;
but made 10 noise with my bare feet
don't know whom ! expected to see.
certainly not Guy Sedley, knccling be.
fore sandalwOod chest, with papers
Strewn around on the HOCr. A taper
burning on the mantcl showed his face
perfectly cool as he went on searching
for something He must have come
through my room TO reach the apart
ment. for it had no opening but into
my chamber. | saw, too, a dirk knife
on the floor, close at his side. | looked
Mt him an instant Even then | re-
membcrcd to pity him, then glidcd for.
ward, snatched the knife and leaped
back TO the door | was mistress of
the situation, for I had come from be-
hind him and done all as I'm a flash,
and as he rose TO his feet stood with
Calmness that showed that 1t was
not my intention TO Immediately arouse
the house.
With a presence Of mind equal to
my own, he put the roll OF bank notes
he had been searching for into the
pocket of his waistcoat. and with
glittering eye regarded ne spcCula-
lively. l did not scream. | know now
that he was not much afraid OF me.
"You have been robbing your sister,"
I said. "but If YOU will put the money
back l will let you GO"
His intense attention of me changed
To a look Of wonder.
"You, child, are not afraid Of mew
he asked.
"No," | answered truthfully.
"But | watched you in your sleep
moment ago, debating whether it
were necessary TO kill you or not"
you must have been glad to find
that 1t was not necessary" | said.
lie looked more astonished than be-
fore, but did not stop TO think of that.
"Put the money back" l said.
"No," he said, firmly. Il will mur.
der you first.
do not do that" said l. 81 am your
friend, was sorry for you that day"
lie did not speak. but a troubled look
disturbed the pale fxedneSs OF his
face.
How much money have you thcreg"
asked.
"Onc hundred pounds" ~
"Aud you need it very much?'
every much,' he replied, with bit
ter smile.
please put it back" said: "Shc has
been Just TO you; would like TO be
merciful; l will give you the money"
Your
IL have Il, yes, here in my room. Let
me show you"
flung open the door next to my
writing desk, and came back TO him.
These | give you freely" said,
opening the roll of notes. You said
TO her that Il would be the last time,
and hope"
He had taken the notes into his
hand, looking at them in kind OF
unbelieving way.
You may hope that you have saved
me-" he said In a low voice.
We were silent for a moment.
you know now that was very
sorry for you,' said, with tears in
my eyes.
YES" he said, gravely, "and love
| you for IT,"
lie put Mrs Saltby's money back
and rearranged the chest. began "a
listen ncrvously for voices about the
house; but all was still. lie locked the
chest and gave me the key.
You know where 1t is kept?'
Eyes. in n drawer in her dressing
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