Page:010 Once a week Volume X Dec 1863 to Jun 64.pdf/165

 talk

ONCE A WEEK.

1S64.]

.

Annie won't do to-morrow. hurt her poor old father, and maybe this

o'

aught to she'll think better of

it

after a night's rest."

He

persisted in avoiding her reproachful glance ; and after a momentary struggle be-

157

over head and ears in love with this young chap, and that she'll not let anything stand in her way to serve him ? I tell ye we're in the toils, and there's no other way of she's

tween anger and prudence, John flung himself

saving ourselves." " But how could ye do it?

into a chair.

certifkies to get

While Annie was hesitating whether it would be wiser to wait, or to resume the subject at

have her

' '

for a light. you're tired ; I'll

Ralph hobbled away

once,

Now, my

maid,

now?"

she

still

pleaded,

but only to receive the same evasive reply so, depressed and very doubtful of what that morrow would bring forth, she followed him up a staircase leading to a small servants' room over the kitchen. Here he bade her good night, and moved away but while she still stood where ho left her, almost overpowered with emotion and



yet excitedly blaming herself for not having pressed the matter more closely and eloquently, a returning step smote on her weariness,

tried

"What

and

let

give

me

safe,

and we

retreated,

her suspicions

and,

thoroughly awakened by this act, Annie resolved to return to the room below, and stay there for the rest of the night. John and his father had now drawn their chairs into the chimney-corner, and, leaning

over the dying embers, were conversing in So absorbed had they become that whispers. her approach was unheard, and she was hesitating whether to advance or retreat, when her own name, coupled with words of terrible significance, arrested her, and, shrinking down

on the lowest stairs, she breathlessly endeavoured to hear more. By-and-by they spoke with less caution. " It's all true enough, boy but she's my

own

on

child,

an'

I

can't

abide

the

thoughts

it."

" Can you propose anything better ? " " We'll maybe talk her over," suggested Ralph. 1

" Bosh JDO !

cried

John.

in

done to

us

" Can't you see

will that

"

do?" asked John,

I tell ye, father, once for shall do one thing or t'other

this

moment,

too. Now, no maundering, begot myself to look after, and I

cause I've

to do it. Which is it to be ? " Annie's pulses seemed to cease beating as she listened for the decision. Which would turn the scale his child, or his money ? Ralph rocked himself to and fro, and ran his withered hands through his hair. " It's a hard a hard thing thing to do

mean

—

—

!

an' sweet, an' I'm an old man now the shame an' the 'prisonment would just kill

But

life's



me

downright. And, for all she talks so fair, be 'most sure to come to that in the long run. Couldn't we sell up an' go to 'Meriky, it'd

boy?" " What, at a day's notice ?" " that's true I that.

forgot But, eh! " a hard thing to do Well ?" asked John, " is it to be yes or

Ay,

"



it's

!

!

Ralph groaned and rocked. " dear have

!

man

I won't it

us set her blabbing at defiance ; or free will to put her where she'll bo

no?"

make me your Shame upon you " Muttering something, she knew not what,

the old

give

you must and Burn them papers now,

all,

his daughter confronted him. " No, father, you shall not !

make her

to

at once.

dear, dear



good

contemptuously.

She drew nearer the door, and listened the key was outside, and Ralph was creeping back to lock her in. As he gently seized it ear.

prisoner



"

show



not

ill

quietly.

ye where you're to sleep." She rose and twined her arms round him. " But, father, you will not let me go to bed without some hope ? Tell me that you will think seriously of what I have been urging, and pray for divine guidance, will j^ou ?" He hastily put her away from him. " To-morrow, my maid to-morrow."

"And why

I've

till

There's doctor's

and then, mind ye, used nor I won't have

Eh, dear,



ye'll

your way, I

suppose but, mind ye, boy, I won't ha' her ill used."

" Leave by

this

it all

to

me," cried

his son,

" and

"

time to-morrow

Unable to restrain herself any longer, Annie

now rushed forward "No, no, you cannot

Wretch that you

are

!

I

—

shall

do

not

am not mad

!

it!

I will

There are magisbe your victim no longer. who will hear and protect me from your

trates

" This very moment I will go the bolts She ran towards the door, but ere yielded to her efforts, John had seized and brought her back. vile stratagems.

The old man, closer to the

!

abject

and trembling, cowered

fire.

Listen quietly. "Listen to me, Annie. in your romantic folly have been We cannot restore proposing is impossible. this money without exposing ourselves to a You need not repeat your belief prosecution. Neither father nor me can in our safety.

What you