CHAPTER XXX.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 95, 28 March 1885, Page 4

CHAPTER XXX.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 41 Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet They grind exceedingly small." — Friedbich yon Loqan. ["To see me!" exclaimed Miss Vernell, bustling out of the culinary regions, whither she had gone with a few forgotten directions. "And on Sunday morning, too ! Who is it ?" "She wouldn't give me her name," answered Roberts, with an injured air. " I asked her to, twice. I told her I didn't believe you'd see her unless she did." Miss Dorothy ruffled up like an angry little hen, and fixed her faded eyes on him with a glance that quite scorched him. " You did 'i That was very kind of you. Pray when were you given the right to ' believe' anything for me? Show her right into the morning-room." And she straightway ascended the stairs. It was still very early, but the bird— or servant — who was up before Miss Dorothy, was indeed worthy to catch the choicest of worms, or wages. James rose late usually, particularly on Sundays. To-day, as Miss Vernell made her way to the morning-room, she told herself that the house was like a tomb, without the children— a great, gaunt, splendid tomb. A dark, quiet figure, sitting in one of the leathern chairs, rose as she entered. Miss Dorothy bowed stiffly. •'Don't you remember me, Miss Dorothy?" Miss Vernell took her gold - rimmed spectacles, adjusted them on her unadaptable nose, came a step nearer and looked searchingly into the woman's face. " Why, bless my soul !" she exclaimed : " If it isn't Guila Desarte !" The woman smiled with a certain sad bitterness. She had not thought that was her name now till the revelation of last night had forced it back upon her. " Yes, it ib 1, Misß Dorothy. You find me much changed." For in the kind old face there was a shocked surprise. " It is only five years since I last saw you, and you look fifteen older !" she answered, bluntly. "Sit down." 11 1 do not doubt it. I looked five years younger yesterday, though, than I do today." Miss Vernell regarded her in puzzled inquiry.

When ftuila Desartehad been a ohild— so small a one she had to stand on a box to wash the dishes— Miss Vernell, in ohanty of heart, had taken her from the deathbed of her pauper mother to her own comfortable home, and brought her up. When she was about thirteen, a good ohance had turned up for her. A lady going to Europe had offered to take her with her to mind her two little ohildren, and she had gone. For several years Miss Vernell did not see her. , One day she had come to visit us. Her old mistress through financial reverses had been obliged to discharge her servants. But she had got another place. She was going with a family to San Francisco. The position was the same as that formerly occupied by her 3 involving the care of children. From that day to this she had not seen her. Endeavouring mentally to gather her circumstances from her dress, she scanned her from head to foot. Her garments indicated cleanliness, thrift, poverty. The simple grey suit made by her own deft fingers, the grey thread gloves, the little silvery hat with the scarlet blossoms. "Are you married?" she asked, euddenly. Up to the roots of the girl's dark hair surged a crimson tide. Her head drooped. 11 / don't know /" Miss Dorothy brought out from her meagre store [one of her mild little oaths reserved for such startling occasions as the present. "Great patience!" And then. "Are you daft V The girl lifted her head with a sudden resolution. "No, I am not daft, Mips Dorothy, but I am very wretched. You were very good to me when I was a homeless little wretch. Will you be kinder to me now in hearing my[story ?" " Bless the child, of course I will !" declared Miss Dorothy. And as she sat very erect indeed in her demure grosgrain gown, with a wide collar and cuffs of daintiest Mechlin, an antique gold brooch clasping tho former, in her ears old-fashioned rings of gold, on her head a little snowy marvel of a cap, below which blue eyes twinkled and rosy cheeks bloomed, she made the dearest, cosiest, most loveable little old confidante that heart could desire. But the blue eyes filled, and the rosy cheeks paled before the stranger's tale was dono. And more than once the former sparkled angrily, and the latter carmined with indignation. And when the sad story was all told she rose and paced the morning-room, every crackling fold of her stiff silk gown protesting against man's inhumanity to woman. As Guila Grimes had said, she looked five years younger yesterday than to-day. The night had told on her terribly. Her cheeks were absolutely colourless. The black rings about her eyes spoke pathetically of sorrow's vigil. Is'ow, though, that she had told her first friend her grief she felt relieved. Sne^had concealed nothing— she had told her all. Misa Vernell came back down the room, and stood before her. " What is it you want me to do ? I did not quite understand." " You are acquainted with this Mrs Charu. She lives in a fine flat on Michigan Avenue. I have discovered that much. Give me a letter to her — a strong letter that will make her take me in service. lam a capable lady's maid. Tell her that — anything so that she will surely take me—anything ! Will you— will you ?" "Are you sure you are not acting rashly ? What is your motive ?" Guila made a gesture of despair. "I must be near her —don't you see that ? Ec will be there often— visiting her. Oh, yes,l he will ! He spends most of his time lately with her. I want to see them together—to Bee how the land lies— if she cares for him. If so, I want to warn, I want " She checked herself with a visible effort. She could not say that she wanted more than anything — everything— revenue. Did she utter such an unchristian word Miss Dorothy would repulse her in horror. No, she must not speak it. She must conceal her real purpose, gain the letter — and her end. " But how would your plan be feasible ?" queried simple Aunt Dolly. "If he were to go to the house often you might meet : he could hardly avoid running across you sooner or later." Guila gave a hard laugh. " Oh, as to that, I would be unrecognisable !" "You mean " " Yes, I mean that I would attire myself so as to deceive a sharper man than Dennis Grimes." At mention of his name Miss Dorothy's honest rage broke out afresh. "The smooth-tongued scoundrel. And to think that he comes hero so often, that he and I have sat down at the one table. When he comes next I " But the girl broke in entreatingly : "No, you won't ! You promised not to, Miss Dorothy. It would ruin all my plans if he knew I had blabbed. Nor your brother either, you will not tell him ?" "I suppose I won't!" reluctantly assented the irate little lady, " but it does seem a sin not to. Oh, that Heaven would ' put a whip in every honest hand to lash the rascal naked through the world !' as Pope says." And for once her alleged authorship was not contradicted. "And you will give me the letter, a strong, pressing one, soon, now ?" But still Miss Dorothy hesitated. " It seems underhand somehow — like setting a spy upon her actions." " No, no !" Guila broke in quickly. "The spying is upon him. To do such has not my misery given me the right? And at the worst what can I do ? No harm to her. But I can save her from him." "Yes," Miss Dorothy assented, absently. Into what a tangle of mysteries she was penetrating ! Soon the growth of it would suffocate her. Already the air was growing dense with plots of secrecy. First Voyle, then Vella, then Voyle again, and now a I new and distinct scheme— if the dear Lord would only give her a strong axe to hew ' them all away ! She looked up with another protest against the plan suggested, i but as she saw the drawn, tearless anguish in the face co earnestly regarding her, the words fled on her lips. " I will write it. Wait here !" she said, and she rose and left tho room. In about ten minutes she returned, in her hand an open sheet. She handed it to Guila. "Read it!" She did so. It was strong, pressing. She had heard that Mrs Charu required a lady's maid. She, could recommend the bearer as in every way competent. Personally she could assure Mrs Oharu of her high character and ability. If she gave to the applicant, who at present needed the position, a place in her house, she, Miss Vernell, would consider it an act of kindness to herself. And she was, very sincerely, Dorotiiy Caroline Vernell. "Thank you !" quietly, but there was a great depth of gratitude in the short worde. "By what name will you present yourself ?" questioned Miss Dorothy. •• I could

not mention it in the note. I had omitted to ask you." 11 1 have not decided that myielf yet. I shall tell you when next I see you. Goodbye, and Heaven blesa !" Then she was gone, a sombre shape, out into the brightening glow of the bleased Sabbath morning. . . And Miss Dorothy, gazing after her, never dreamed of that to which her letter had flung wide the gates. And, Heaven be thanked, she did not !