St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-04-02
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VOL. L.

lamp, but to her, the light was not
cheerful one, and failed, as of old, to
dispel from the room nights dusky
shadows. Fears of superstitious
kind, do what she would to dispel
them, came over her.
ooh, l cannot stay here, alone" she
said aloud, as these fears grew more
palpable, glancing timidly around, and
inwardly trembling lest from the shad
ows Of the room should start forth
some fearful vision.
but where can l go ?" she added
/ have no other home, and, even
here | cannot remain long"
A rap at the door caused her to
start, and the blood to curdle in her
veins. This was only for moment
or two. Her selfpossession quickly
returned, and going to the street door,
she opened it and found that young
acquaintance named Laura Woods had
called to see her.
~ thought you would feel very
lonesome" said Laura, and so have
come round to stay with you all night
if you would like me to do So"
1t is very kind in you," Anna re-
turned with full heart, warmly press
ing the hand of Laura. 1t was all
that she could say. They had been
acquainted for onl " short time but
the oftcner they met, the more they
felt drawn towards each other Lau-
ra was, like Anna, an orphan, and,
like her, almost friendless. She had a
very delicate constitution. To the eye
of one skilled in detecting the marks
of hidden disease, her bright eye, her
pure complexion and semi-transparent
skinner narrow chest and STOPPING
form accompanied by frequent, but
not painful cough, would have been a
too sure premonition of decline.
Laura staid with Anna that night.
Her thoughtful regard for her peculiar
situation awokc tenderer feelings in
the breast of Anna than she had yet
experienced. A fuller confidence was
the result. She opened all her heart
to Laura, and she, in turn, told of her
bercavements and trials in the past
her hopes and fears for the future
This sealed them fast and tenderly
united friends. Laura had been en-.
gagged for the past two years in going
out and sewing by the week in mum
Der of families. She had more work
than she could do, and it was soor
agreed between her and Anna, that
they should take room together, and
while Laura went out to sew, Anna
was to remain at home and work.
Laura could always get as much as
Anna could do from the families in
which she was sewing. Every evening
she was to come home
This arrangement was entered into.
Anna took care of the room and work
ed at home, while Laura went out to
sew by the week. What they earned
was common property, and used as
their wants required.
One Saturday evening, about six
weeks after Mrs Grand's death, Lau-
ra said to Anna,
l am going to new place on Mon
day, and where do you think it is 2"
Il am sure I cannot tell"
To your aunt's."
ITO Mrs. Grants !" exclaimed An
ma, rising up quickly.
eyes. Mrs. T for whom l
have been sewing, recommended me
to her, and | have promised to 60"
Did you sec Mrs. Grant 2"
Eyes. She was at Mrs. T--'s
to-day, and engaged me-"
And you are going?" said Anna
in a bewildered manner.
Yes, | told you was.
$50 you did. But what you say
has confused me so that l can scarce
ly think. When did you say you was
going?"
"On Monday"
Z" / thought you promised me that
after you had finished for Mrs. T
you would rest for few days. You
are not at all WELL"
Il know. But Mrs. Grant says it is
Indispensable to have me at once, and
SO shall have to wait another week
before taking rest"
Anna looked sober. The past came
back too strongly upon her. Her
mothers wrongs and suffering, and
the insult and cruel repulse she had
received at the hands of her aunt were
remembered too wildly.
81 wish you would not go there,
Laura" she said, giving way to her
feelings.
81 have promised, you know" was
calmly replied.
True. And it is weakness in me
to feel 500
"To tell the truth, Anna, l am glad
for your sake, of the opportunity this
will afford me to learn all about your
mothers relatives. You have spoken
of her brother-he may be living, and
if so, ! will learn for you where he is.
He may have truer heart than his
sister"
He cast off my mother / want,
therefore, no favors at his hand" An
ma replied firmly.
"Of that he may have long ago re-
pented. 1t will be your duty, at least,
to give him a chance of atoning for
the errors of the past"
Anna shook her head. But even
while she did so. arose the wish in her
heart to be received by her uncle, for
her mothers sake, If he were yet
alive.
CHAPTER XXI.
On the Monday following, Laura
went, as she had agreed, to the house
of Mrs. Grant.
Anna stroye to feel Indifferent, but