St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-02-12
CHAPTER I.


One cold afternoon in November, after
the pleasant Indian Summer had pass
ed away, and the chilly season that
Immediately precedes winter had set
in, a girl, whose age seemed not more
than nineteen, paused before large
house in Walnut street, and stood for
some minutes with an air of irresolu-
tion. Then she walked on, dropping
her eyes to the pavement, as she did
50. Her face was very fair, but pale
and anxious her form slender and
graceful her dress worn and faded.
yet fitting neatly her well formed per-
son ; her air and manner was like one
who had moved in much higher cir
Gle than that to which she now seem
ed to belong.
After walking on for nearly two
squares, she paused, stood thou ghtful
for several minutes, and then turned
and went slowly back. Again she was
before the handsome dwelling we have
named-again she stopped and remain
ed some time in debate. At length
she ascended the marble steps leading
to the door, and timidly rung the bell
Or, rather, attempted to ring it but
she drew the wire with too feeble a
hand. The bell answered not to the
effort. For nearly five minutes she
stood, waiting for the door to open.-
But, no one came. Now her heart
seemed to fail her again, for, instead
of ringing with firmer hand, she qui-
city turned, and descending the steps,
moved with evident reluctance away,
frequently pausing, however, to look
back.
By this time the dusky twilight be-
gan to fall soberly around, which was
perceived by the stranger, after she
had walked on for some distance, and
caused her to stop quickly, while a
shuddcr ran through her frame, and
she clasped her hands together with
quick, involuntary motion.
81 must do it. There is no other
hope for me-" she at length said, with
forced resolution. And turning back,
she approached the house she had
twice before hesitated to enter. Now,
without giving herself time to hesi-
tate, she walked firmly up the steps,
and rung the bell with a strong hand.
A few moments elapsed, and the door
was thrown open.
"Can l see Mrs. -?' she asked
in timid voice, for all her forced res
olution had given way.
"Walk in, and l will see. What
name do you send up ?"
"Tell her a young girl wishes to
speak to her."
The waiter looked at her curiously,
and then told her to walk into the par
lor, and he would see if Mrs. - was
disengaged. sas ar...
In about ten minutes the lady came
down. What passed between her and
the stranger is not known. Their in
terview did not last long. In a little
while the latter retired through the
front door, and was again upon the
pavement. 1t had become dark, and
the wind swept coldly along the pave
ment. The stranger shuddercd as
she felt its penetrating chill. The
light Of the next lamp showed that
she was weeping bitterly. She walk
ed on, now, with quick pace, but,
evidently, without any design, for she
had not gone far, before she paused,
and wringing her hands murmured
bitterly !:
Where shall l go? What shall l
do? 2" ......,. ...
An elderly man passed at the mo-
ment. He perceived the movement,
but did not hear distinctly the words
that were uttered. Enough, however,
was apparent to satisfy him that the
young woman was in distress. He
walked on for few PAGES, and then
stopped, turned around, and perceived
her still standing on the pavement
His benevolent feelings prompted him
to go and speak to her. He had ad-
vanced only few PAGES, when, per-
ceiving that she had attracted the at
tention of man, who was about to