There was no reply to the last remark made by Mrs. Morris, and seeing that Ross was about to start after Bessie, she availed herself of his company back home. Ross was the one of all the household who could manage Bessie with the least trouble. If she became wilful Ross was the one who could control her in a quiet way. If she became sullen or sad Ross alone could cheer her, and thus when there was anything wrong with Bessie Ross knew his duty, and never waited to be called upon 215 to perform it, so he hurried out in the chilling storm.
“Now, Miss Robin,” said Bessie, as the door closed after Mrs. Morris, “I am glad she is gone, for there is one thing I don’t want her to know. Ross would kill me if I should tell of it, but you see he tries to make folks think he is my brother. But he is not my brother, and you need not let him make you think he is.”
“Who is he then?” Blanche asked, her brain fairly throbbing with the thoughts of the whole affair.
“Oh, I will never tell even you. You cannot make me tell that, but some day when God calls all the wicked people to account, then maybe He will tell you all about it. But, hush, don’t let Ross know I told you about my baby. If you do he will kill me; he will tell you he is my brother, too, but don’t you believe him.”
In vain Blanche tried to induce Bessie to tell her more of Ross. She firmly refused, and after several moments of stolid silence, she buried her face in her hands, and, laying her head in Miss Elsworth’s lap, she fell into a passionate fit of weeping, calling in the most pitiful tones for her two beautiful darlings, who were out in the storm, and not until Ross entered to take her away, did she cease her wild weeping, but at the first sound of his voice she arose, and quickly drying her eyes, she said in a hurried manner:
“Yes, Ross, I’ll go. I won’t run away again. Don’t lock me up, I did not tell all about it.”
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE FORTUNE TELLER.
Mr. Le Moyne was holding an interview with Scott. He had gradually acquired the belief that what Scott Wilmer could not accomplish, could not be done by anyone, and since the desired end had not been brought about he had nearly given up in despair.