The Mill Mystery
uck sharp
wful li
BROW
, and whom I had persuaded to share my room because of her pretty face and quiet ways. She was not at home, and I flung the letter dow
that she must either stoop to ask the assistance of friends or starve! I have no words for the misery I felt, for I am a proud woman, and--But no lifting of the curtain that shrouds my past. It has fallen for ever, and for you and me and the world I am simp
tood oblivious to all about me till the fading sunlight-or was it some stir in the room behind me?-recalled me to myself, and I tu
g towards her with an irres
d; "a sudden pain here," la
quite pale, turned suddenly rosy; and, with a more n
ou look unhappy. Would you min
yet sincere interest, went to my heart. Clutch
a meal for to-morrow. Not that this is any thing in itself," I hastened to add, my natur
over her face, and her eyes took a far-away look that made them very sweet
ust it to me
y astonishment, for
k at your face!" and she drew me playfully before the glass. "See the forehead, the mouth, and tell m
with a sensation of
topped me before I co
emur on my part, she kissed me, and as if the sweet embrace had made us sisters at once, drew me to a chair and sat down
uch a frail little thing, so white and so ethereal, and her
a future to provide for, too, and you are not as
ed, then laughed again,
ing to be married in a month, and-and then I won't need to count my pennies any more; and, so I say, if you will stay here with me without a care until that day
ut-"Oh, you darling girl!" while my heart filled with tears, which only escaped from overflo
t, rising to pull down the curtain across a
town!" she breathed, with a bu
hear her, for just then a hubbub arose in th
cried, coming ha
le are all rushing in one direction,
a half-hour before. But just then a sudden voice exclaimed below: "The clergyman! It is the clergyman!" And giving a
already at the door. "Can it be?" I asked myself, as I hurri
tist Church, was a worthy man in his way, and the Congregational minister had an influence with his flock that was not to be despised, Mr. Ba
e to him!" and I dashed down the stairs just in time to see
re I reached her what she would find; knew that her short dream of love was over, and that stretched amongst the weeds which choked the entrance to the old mill lay the dead fo