St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-03-19
NUMBER 81.

noted the rapid decline of day.
Following the direction given her,
she turned off from Chestnut street.
and passed down to Walnut street. up
which she walked rapidly. In less
than five minutes she was before an
elegant dwelling, on the door plate of
which she read the name Mason GRANT,
with thrill that passed through her
whole frame. She did not ring the
bell at once, but passed on to collect
her thoughts and determine how she
should address herself to her aunt
On, on she went, square after square,
unable to settle any thing in her mind.
Oh, if l had not promised my
mother, and there was any roof here
to shelter me, no matter how humble
it might be, and any means by which
l could support myself, no matter how
hard the labor, most gladly would
shrink away from these proud rela-
tives !"
This was the final conclusion of her
thoughts, as she stopped suddenly and
wrung her hands, forgetting at the in
slant that she was in the street, and
her motions liable to attract attention.
Recovering herself, however, she
lifted her eyes, and perceived that the
shadows of approaching evening were
growing more and more distinct. A
shudder passed over her. Quickly
turning, she retraced her steps, and,
without allowing her imagination to
dwell upon the shock of first inter-
view with her aunt, a thing from
which she shrunk with an unconouer-
able reluctance, she kept steadily on
until she again stood in front of the
house of Mason Grant. But she could
not ascend the steps that led to the
door OF this elegant mansion. Her
thoughts again became confused, and
again she passed the house, and walk
ed on for nearly two squares. She
then paused, stood thoughtful for two
vl three minutes, and finally turned
and went slowly back. Again she
was before the dwelling of her aunt,
and again she stopped irresolute. At
length she ascended the steps, and
tlmldly rung the bell--or rather made
an effort to do so but she had exert
cd too little strength, the bell did not
really answer to her hand. For near
ly five minutes she stood as if fixed to
the spot, but no one came to the door.
She did not attempt to ring again.
Her heart had failed her. Slowly she
at length descended the steps, and
moved down the street, turning eyerv
few PAGES to see if the door should
open.
1t was nearly dark, already the
watchmen had lit their lamps, and the
street was filled with persons wend-
ing their way homeward after having
finished the labors of the day. Anna
had walked on for a short distance.
when she perceived that night was
Fast closing in. She stopped quickly,
while tremor ran through her frame.
" must do it. There is no hope for
me-" she at length said, turning back
and approaching the house she had
more than once hesitated to enter
giving herself time to waver
again in her resolution, Anna passed
quickly up the steps and rung the bell
with a strong hand. The door was
soon opened.
"Can l see Mrs. Grant ?" she asked.
in faltering voice.
u" Come in, Miss, and l will see."
Anna entered
What name shall l saw"
Anna's cheek flushed. She hesita-
ed moment.
Tell her a a young girl wishes to
speak to her."
The servant left her in the parlor
md went up stairs.
"A young woman is in the parlor,
and wishes to see you," he said, on
opening the door of Mrs. Grants
room.
"Who is she 2"
She didn't give her name"
What does she want 2"
"To see you, Ma'am.'
" You should have asked her name,
Jackson
81 did, Ma'am'
"Humph ! What kind of a look
ng person is she ?"
She looks like poor young girl.'
Somebody after work, may-be-
ell her that | will be down in a little
While"
Anna sunk upon chair in the rich
furnished parlor into which the SER
ant had shown her, her heart tlutter-
ng wildly. 1t was several minutes
'efore she saw objects distinctly Ev-
ry external sense was partially
'losed. Then her eyes wandered
'bout the room, and she observed, with
omething Of wonder, the elegance
nd splendor that surrounded her,
rom the costly furniture she raised
er eyes to the walls that were deco
ated with pictures. The first that
let her gaze was the portrait of
IAN who seemed to have just passed
he prime Of life. Every feature of
ne face were as familiar to her as the
eatures of friend. Who could it
'e! Her mothers image arose in her
nind. The question was answered.
hat must be her brothers. likeness.
"This is indeed my aunt's house -