Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-23
CHAPTER TX.
Eva's Will,

which Sadie had once entertained toward
the woman who sat in her place as mis-
tress OF Broadstone. and at the first
glance at Eva herself, the rest fed in
continently.
The slight black robed figure, the pale
sorrowfu old-young face, the large eyes
with their tender doe-lke timidity, the
very pose, almost pathetic in its self
dstrustful anXiousness. told their own
tale Here was no usurper, no wrong
doer no willful trespasser in another
home. no trampler upon another,s rights.
| Nothing surely but victim of harsh
circumstances Sweetness pining in the
| desert of neglect. Youth aging prema-
turely for the lack of all that makes
youth young. Love stifled in an atmos-
phere of crushed remembrance. Gentle
ness starving for warm sympathy, and
getting the cold respec: rendered to
wealth.
With difficulty Sadie repressed the deep.
deep sigh prompted by this intuitive read
| ing of her mistress heart.
You are Margaret Hutchinson?"
Yes. my lady. I have just arrived and
was told you wished to see me-
There was pause. and Eva was rather
| at a loss what to say next. Wont you
sit doWn?'' adding, with nervous little
/ laugh: II don't wish to be too formal
| Sadie sat down. feeling but little less
i'll at ease. Il thank your ladyship'
| "Will YOU come little closer to the
! light? | should like to look at you. l
| didn't see you before engaging you, YOU
know"
Sadie moved closer. Lady Preston told
me she would explain to you.
| ''Oh, it's all right said Eva. quickly.
almost apologetically. THE truth is. 1
| have not changed my personal maid be-
| fore. Alice Freeman was with me for
years. and only left to get married"
Sadie said nothing. and sat with as
| deferental an air as she could assume
while Eva pretended to be busy with
some papers. and kept shooting nervous
little glances at her.
| Would you mind taking your glasses
off-would the light hurt your eyes?' she
asked presently.
Not at all, my lady," and Sadie took
them off.
Il think we shall get on very WELL" was
! Eva's verdict, delivered with d smile.
you will think this strange of me, but
| judge so much by a persons eyes.
| Thank you. Put them on again II you
| wish. l take to any one at once. you
| know-or the reverse. l am sure you are
clever and quick. Alice Freeman was not.
| and she was not educated. Lady Pres
| Gated
Yes. my lady. 1 was educated in
America"
Eva frowned slightly, then smiled, and
said:
Il don't wish you to call me always
| my lady, in that way. 1t is rather diff
! ficult to say exactly what l mean. but
you will soon understand. Did Lady Pres
ton explain the-the kind of situation it is
| here?'
81 understood I was to be your per-
| sonal maid
ut is really something more than that
more companion-maid / want some one
| ] can trust. Lady Preston told me some
| thing about your having seen better days;
and really what I want is partly COM
panion and partly maid. Il am a great
deal alone, you know-especially since my
fathers death-and 1 sometimes get
| tired of myself. This with a little sigh
| and a pause.
| II will do my utmost to win your con-
fidence," said Sadie. very earnestly. her
whole heart going out to this lonely little
| soul.
Il am sure you will | read that in
your eyes just now-or l should not have
spoken as | have. ! used to call Freeman
by her surname. but / should like to
call you Margaret; and / shall give orders
that you are to have your meals served
| in the little room next to your bedroom.
You are not like the rest. of course
can see that. l should like you to dress
me and on, and to be with me great
deal l hope you can read well. l love
| to be read to-.
|. Il studied once for the stage, was the
reply.
oh how lucky l am. aid can you
SING
quite true Sadie was afraid that her
husband might chance to hear her and
recognize the full deep contralto voice
that at one time he had praised with
such enthusiasm.
"Ah, that is part OF your life story
said Eva. Some day you shall tell it
all to me. Would YOU read now? Don't,
if You think you would rather get more
accustomed to me-.
That such frail child should imag CINE
herself SO formidable to make Sadie
nervous nearly caused a smile as she
asked for book. Eva gave her vol
ume Of Tennyson and then lay back in a
| large easy chair.
Opening the book at random, Sadie
Glanced on that part of Enoch Arden
which describes Enochs homecoming. his
aching solitude. the yearning TO see his
wife. the visit to Philips house, and the
manful resolve to keep the secret OF
his return from her till his death.
The passage appealed to both. Sadie's
| heart was in her voice as she read, and
the tears in Eva's eyes as she listened
| oh how you read" she cried. You
make me see il and feel it ALL What
| sadness there can be in life even for
the innocent"
| In the pause that followed the door
was opened and Sadie rose quickly. put
| down the book, and instinctively backed
| away from the light.
| j. was Lord Broadstone.
II thought you were alone, Eva" ne
| said.
| At the sound Of his voice and the sight
! of him Sadie WINGED; her hands clencled
| involuntarily and her lips were close
| pressed.
| Il am alone, Bertralr. This is only
my-my new maid. Margaret Hutchinson.
| You may like to unpack your things and
| may so now.
| THANK you, my lady
| Broadstone started slightly al the
/ voice and gave Sadie a sharp look as
| she turned toward the door.
Its nothing particular, Eva" he said.
Il only wanted to know if you had read
through the will. Maxwell is here, and
| You could sign it.
Sadie left the door jar and paused a
| moment.
! "Of course. / haven't read it: but I'll
sign il, Rertram. 1t gives everything to
you, | suppose, as Mr.. Maxwell eX-
| planned. You and l have no other wish. y
Then well have him up and get it
| done He'll stay to dinner, of course