CHAPTER XI. UNDER THE MILL FLOOR.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 154, 15 May 1886, Page 4

CHAPTER XI. UNDER THE MILL FLOOR.

I know, this act shows tenib'e and grim,— Othei/lo I had never considered myself a courageous person. I waa therefore surprised at my own temerity wheti, with the morning light, came an impulse to revisit the old mill, and by an examination of the flooring, satisfy myself as to whether it held in hiding any such articles as had been alluded to by Rhoda Colwell in the remarkable interview just cited. Not that 1 intended to put any such question to Dwight Pollard as she liad suggested, or, indeed, had any intentions at ail beyond the present. The outlook was too va^jue, my own mind too troubled, for me to concoct plans or to make any elabo rate determinations. I could only perform the duty of the moment, and this visit seemed to me to be a duty, though not one of the pleasantest or [even of the most promising character. I had therefore risen and was preparing myself in "an abstracted way for breakfast, when I was violently interrupted by a resounding knock at the door. Alarmed, I scarcely knew why, I hastened to open it, and fell back in very visible astonishment when I beheld standing before me no less a person than Anioe, the late Mrs Pollard's maid. , - , "I wanted to see you, miss," she said, coming in without an invitation, and care*

f ully.eloßing \ the, door behinTdtie^Vvf'.So, aa I^had leave to attend early/: mass' this morning, I jusyslipped.overJierej^seliiob^if it is a liberfcyyl hope .you will pardon, seeing ifc is for your ow,h good.'V .. - --*-:- >1 ' Not much encouraged by this preamble, 1, motioned her to take a seat, and then/turning my back to her, went en arranging my bair. - , t j ,- ; " I cannot imagine what errand you have with me,,Anice," said I ; " but if it is anything important, let me hear it at once, as I have an engagement this morningi and am in haste." c A smile, which I could plainly see in the mirror before which I stood, passbd slyly over her face. She took up her parasol from her lap, then laid it down again, and ' altogether showed considerable embarrassment. But it did not last long, and in another moment she was saving, in quite a bold way ; " You took my place beside the mistress I loved, but I don't, bear you no grudge, miss. On the contrary, I would do you a good turn ; for what are we here for, miss, if it's not to help one another V Aa I had no answer for this worthy sentiment, she lapsed again into her former embarrassed state and as speedily recovered from it. Simpering in a manner that unconsciously put me on my guard, ehe remarked : "You left us very suddenly yesterday, miss. Of course that is your own business, and I have nothing to say against it. But I thought if you knew what might be gained by staying " She paused and gave me a louk that was almost like an appeal. But I would not help her out. " Why," she went on desperately, with a backward toes of her head, "you might think as how we was not such very bad folks after all. lam sure you would make a very nice mistress to work for, Miss Sterling," she simpered; "and if you would just let me help you with your hair as I did old Mra Pollard " Angry, mortified, and ashamed of myself that I had listened to her so far, I turned on her with a look that seemed to make some impression even upon her. " How dare you — " I began, then paused shocked at my own imprudence in thus betraying the depth of the feelings she had aroused. " I beg your pardon," 1 immediately added, recovering my composure by a determined effort ; " you doubtless did nob consider that you are not in a position to speak such words to me. Even if your insinuations meant anything serious, which I will not believe, our acquaintance " — I am afraid I threw some sarcasm into that word—" has scarcely been long enough to warrant you in approaching me on any Eubjeefc of so personal a nature, least of all one that involves the names of those you live with and have served so long. If you have nothing better to say — " She arose with a jerk thaft seemed to my eye& aa much an expression of disappointment as anger, and took a reluctant step or two towards the door. " I am sure I meant no offence, miss," ehe stammered, and took another step still more reluctantly than before. I trembled. Outrageous as it may seem, I wished at this moment that honour and dignity would allow me to call her back and question her as to the motive and meaning of her extraordinary conduct. 1 For the thought had suddenly struck me I that she mighb be a messenger— a most un- ■ worthy and humilating one it is true,— and yet in some sort of a way a messenger, and • my curiosity rose just in proportion as my • pride rebelled. i Anice, who was not lacking in wit, evidently felt, if she could not see, the struggle she had awakened in my mind, for she turned and gave me a look I no longer i had the courage to resent. > "It is only something I overheard Mr : Guy say to his brother," she faltered, opening and shutting her parasol with a nervous hand ; then, aa I let my hair suddenly fall from my grasp, in a i rush of relief I felt blurted out : " You ) have beautiful hair, miss ; I don't wonder i Mr Guy should cay, ' One of us two must marry that girl,' " and was gone like a flash '' from the room, leaving me in a state that i bordered on stupefaction. This incident, so suggestive, and, alas ! so degrading to my self-esteem, produced a < deep and painful effect on my mind. For hours I could not rid my ears of that final sentence : " One of us two must marry that girl." Nor could the events that speedily followed quite remove from my mind and heart the sting which this knowledge of the Pollard's base calculation and diplomacy had implanted. It had one favourable consequence, however. It nerved me to carry out the expedition I had planned, and gave to my somewhat failing purpose a heart of steel. (To be Continued.)