The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-01-06


TCE received the letter. an,
continued on my way to Mrs. Saltby's
dressing room
Inc drawings We're 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.
ing
Touch them up a bit, Violet, and
will get a portfolio for them and keeI
them"
| usually sat with her in her dress
Ing room through the morning. And
thither L 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 a low seat in the deep bay window.
l sharpened a 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 a
face cut in stone. But 1 had never
seen it look so sharp and deathly. The
letter was clenched in her hand. 1
had brought her bad news.
l was shocked, but silent. tried to
remember what l 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 child.
She had no brothers or sisters whom
/ had ever heard of. l could not sur
mise what had happened. 1 saw her
burn the letter, and then rose and left
the room.
Afterwards 1 guessed whom that
communication was from.
A week passed They were quiet
and comfortable, but rather mOnoton-
Gus, weeks at Redburn. But, though
young, l was less restless than most
girls. 1 was not unhappy with Mrs.
Saltby. Only sometimes / wished for
q little change.
1t came--a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-Mrs. Salt
by's lawyer and personal friend from
town. 1 was dressing her hair, as l
did, for she liked my ar
ngements-pronounci them artic-
tic. Suddenly, without knock or warn
Ing, the door was flung open and a
young man walked in.
1 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
soiled, his long, clustering hair I'M
and eyes bloodshot. Yet his
appearance was singularly attractive.
[ had never before seen so high-hred |
and graceful man.
Mrs. Saltby did not speak to him.
BE seated himself before and not far
from her, however.
"Go on, Violet" she said.
"Certainly, let the young lady pro-
,eed with her task" he said quickly.
What 1 have to say need not inter
ere with her employment. l under
stand that she is your companion and |
,onfidante, though l have not had the |
pleasure of meeting her before"
The last sentence appeared to have |
,een quite mechanically spoken, for |
,e had fixed his eyes fiercely upon Mrs. |
saltby's face, and seemed to see only |
Ter. 1 went on pinning up the braids
# her hair as 1 had been bid, but my
lands trembled. 1 could not see her
ace. but 1 think she met that look
steadily.
"You refused me,'' he said, in a far
lifferent tone from that in which he
lad first spoken, low and concentrated.
Certainly" she answered.
"Do you want my blood upon your
lead?" he exclaimed.
washed my hands cleaf Of you
ong ago" she answered composedly.
Long ago." he repeated.
And a wave Of emotion, that was in
,xplicable to me, went over his face.
Then he was silent l don't know
yby, but that moment 1 pitied him.
Tie got up and commenced walking the
loor.
~ tell you, Winifred, I must have
his money" he said; 81 must have it,
md tonight, tonight" he repeated.
Mrs, Saltby was silent I caught
Glimpse of her face. Flint was not
harder.
"Let me have it, Winifred," he said,
,ausing before her, "and I promise
,ou 1t shall be the last time" She
made no reply. "The last time. I