Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1905-01-05

N6k lO>C VAOA OA<lASA$ wac y w e9- = ~
b this letter, to Mrs. Saltby p
NM 6 had my hands full OF
m + drawing materials; but I
.<o, received the letter, and
ontiuued Oh my way to Mrs. Saltby's
dressng room.
The drawings were little studies !
had made while down at the seaside,
ghcre had spent my vacation: made
hr Mrs. Saltby-to whom l had been
companion" for a year-and Mrs. Salt
hv had been interested in them, say
lug
Touch them up bit, Violet, and ]
viii get a portfolio for them and keep
| thpm'
I usually sat with her in her dress.
iug room through the morning. And
thther l now repaired to touch up
the drawings. while she sat with
her sppered feet ON the fender, EN-.
moidering with purple and crimson
woods. gave her the letter, ana went
to a low seat in the deep bay window.
I sharpened Il pencil, and then hap.
pened to glance toward my compan-
ion. Her face was ashy white. Her
mo6le was turned toward me. In its
regularity and pallor it looked like a
face cut in stone. But I had never
seen it look so sharp and deathly. The
letter was clenched in her hand. ]
had brought her bad news.
was shocked, but silent. I tried to
remember what I 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
lead. Her mother had died in her in.
tancy, and she had been the mistress
of Redburn Hall ever since. 1t was
not long, however, since her fathers
lecease. She had never had child.
Ehe had no brothers or sisters whom
! had ever heard of. 1 could not sur.
mise what had happened. saw her
/ lurn the letter. and then rose and left
| the room.
Afterwards I guessed whom that
Communication was from.
A week passed. They Were quiet
and comfortable, but rather monoton.
sns weeks at Redburn. But, though
Young, I was less restless than most
girls. | was not unhappy with Mrs
Saltby Only sometimes I wished fo1
little change.
1t came--a most startling episode.
We had company to dine-Mrs. Salt
sy's lawyer and personal friend from
town. l was dressing her hair, as
@metimcs did, for she liked my ar
iangements-pronouncing them artic
uc Suddenly, without knock or warn
ing, the door was flung open and &
Young man walked in.
felt Mrs. Saltby start under my
Aands. was frightened-the intrude,
looked so bold and reckless. He was
very handsome; but he seemed to me
10 nave been travelling long, or to have
come out of some revel. His Iiren wa:
s0Aed. his long, clustering hair un
0usled. and eyes bloodshot. Yet hii
appearance was singularly attractive
mad never before seen so higb.,.rei
snd graceful man.
Afs' Saltby did not speak 70 i,im
ne seated himself before and nc. fal
iloM her. however
10 on Violet" she said.
certainly, let the young laly pro
s,ea .su, with her task" he said quickly
~ "nat have to say need net inter
,.'e with her employment. l under
s'ana That she is your companion ant
~, "nnoante, though I have not had th'
''asore % OF meeting her before
J.. Aue iast sentence appeared TO hav,
Seea quite mechanically spoken, fo
~ s.ua aau hxed his eyes fiercely upon Mrs
ha ha''0S face, and seemed to see onl,
NJ, y, l Went on pinning up the braid
haas net hair as had been bid, but. IN,
tanos ts trembled. I could not see he:
Steadily. w.
ss lou refused me,' he said, in fa
s.s saeeeht tone from that in which j.
A'a "c nrst spoken. low and concentrated
.n certainly" she answered.
ho.s. =" You want my blood upon you
u " he exclaimed.
h,'. washed my hands clea. Of yo
s ago. she answered conposed!s
ana long ago." he repeated.
,,n,; u wave Of emotion, that was in
eaole rh to me, went over his face.
vsn "el' he was silent. I dor't kn,,
Bs B'' -. oot that moment T .pitied hin
m so.' got up and commenced watkins. "a
th;s = L, .e'l you. Winifred. I must hav
ana money he said; II must have i
Mr. -n'sht, tonight" lie repeated.
s)imn. eaitby was silent. caught
Sarder t lace Flint was nc
pso,ia.lm mta me have 1t, winifred,o hc sal:
sou s !, before her, "and I promis
asao II Shall be the last timc." sh
A' 10 reply. The last time.