128
WYLDER'S HAJVI).
gospel, who live in such houses as old General Lake, the
millionaire widower, kept.
"I did not mean anything, upon my honor, Tamar,
that could annoy you. I only meant you used not to be
a fool, and pray don't begin now; for I assure you Radie
and I would not ask it, if it could be avoided. You have
Miss Radie's secret in your hands. I don't think you'd
like to injure her, and you used to be trustworthy. I
don't think your Bible teaches you anywhere to hurt your
neighbor and to break faith."
"Don't speak of the Bible now; but you needn't fear
me, Master Stanley," answered the old woman, a little
sternly. "I don't know why she's gone, nor why it's a
secret — I don't, and I'd rather not, and I'll do as you
bid me, and I have done, Master Stanley, howsoever it
troubles my mind; and now old Tamar's word's spoke —
that's all."
"Old Tamar is a sensible creature, as she always was.
I hope I did not vex you, Tamar. I did not mean, I
assure you; but we get rough ways in the army, I'm
afraid, and you won't mind me. You never did mind lit-
tle Stannie when he was naughty, you know."
There was here a little subsidence in his speech. He
was thinking of giving her a crown, but there were sever-
al reasons against it, so that handsome coin remained in his
purse.
"And I forgot to tell you, Tamar, I've a ring for you
in town — a little souvenir; you'll think it pretty — a
gold ring with a stone in it — it belonged to poor dear
Aunt Jemima, you remember. I left it behind; so stu-
pid!"
So he shook hands with old Tamar, and patted her af-
fectionately on the shoulder, and he said:
"Keep the hall door bolted. Make any excuse you