The Mill Mystery

uck sharp

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, 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