The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-10-01
CHAPTER Iy.-coNrrNuEp.

'T think the place has laid spell on me, y
she said. "I dream Of it night after night
think Of II when I sit stitching at my work
You know am grateful, Mr.. Betteredge-you
know try 70 deserve your kindness, and my
lady's confidence in me. But wonder some
times whether the life here Is too quiet and toe
good for such . woman a. I an, after all have
gone through, Mr.. Betteredge-sfter all have
gone through. It's more lonely to me to be
among the other servants, knowing am not
what they are, than Il Is to be here. My lady
doesn't know, the mstron at the rvformatory
doesn't know, what dreadful reprosch honest
people are In themselves, TO q woman like me.
Don't scold me, there's dear good man. | do
my work, don'tI, Please not to tell my lady
am discon,entcd-I am not. My minds un-
quiet, sometimes, that's all" She snstchel her
hand OF my shoulder, and suddenly pointel
down to the quicksand. look ~ she said.
"Isn't II wonderful, isn't il terriblel have
seen il dozens Of times, and it's always rs new
to me IS IL hal never seen II before 20
looked where she pointed. The tide was on
the turn, and the horrid sand began to shiyer.
The broad brown face Of IL heaved slowly, and
then dimpled and quiver~i all over. "Do you
know what Il looks Ike to me 2" says Rosanns,
catching me by the shoulder again. "lt looks
rs IL IL had hundreds Of sufocating people under
it-all struggling to get to the surface, and oil
sinking lower and lower in the dreadful decps
Throw stone In, Mr.. Bcttervdge Throw q
stone In, and let's sec the sand suck II down!'
Here was unwholesome talk Here was an
empty stomach feeding on an unquiet mind
My answer-s pretty sharp one, in the poor
girls own interests, promise you-was at my
tongues end, when II was snapped short of on
a sudden by voice among the sand-hills shout
ing for me by my name. "Bettercdge" crie'
the voice, "where are youl" "liere !"I shoutet
out In return, without notion In my head who
Il was. Rosanna started 10 her feet, and stoo,
Looking toward the voice. l was just thinking
Of getting on my own legs next, when VA
staggered by sudden change in the girls face
Her complexion turned OF n beautiful red
which had never seen on IL before; she bright
cncd all over with kind Of speechless ant
breAthless surprise. "who is itf" asked
Rosanns gave me back my own question. "Oh
who s IL ~ she said. softly, more to herself thar
TO me. | twisted round on the sand, and looket
behind me. There, coming out on us from
among the hills. was bright-eyed young gen.
tieu,sn. dressed in beautiful fawn-oolorcd suit
with gloves and hat 10 match, with rose in hi'
button-holo. and q smile on his face that might
have set the Shyering Sand itself smiling Al
him In return. Before I could get on my leg'
he pumped down on the sand by the side Of me
put his arm round my neck, foreign fashion, and
gave me . hug that fairly squeezed the breath
out Of my body. "Dcsr oil Betteredse ~ ssy'
he. ''I owe you seven and sixPencc. Now d.
you know who ami"
Lord bless US and save us Here-four goo.
hours before We expected him-~ss Mr.. Frank
lin Blake
Before could say word saw Mr.. Frank
lin, . little surprised, to all Appearances, lool
sp ffom me to Rosanna- Following his lead.
looked at the girl too. She Was blushing Of {
deeper red than ever seemingly at having
caught Mr.. Franklin's eye, and she turned and
left us suddenly, in q confusion quite unAscount.
able TO my mind, without either making heI
courtesy 10 the gentleman or saying word tC
me-very unlike her usual self; ci,iler and
better-behsycd servant. in general, you never
met with.
That's an odd GIRL" says Mr.. Franklin. 81
wonder what she secs In me to surprise her p
s'I suppose, Sir" I answered. drolling on oui
young gentleman . Continental education, "itt
the vArnish from foreign parts"
I set down here Mr.. Franklin's careless ques
ton, and my foolish answer, as consolation
and encouragement 10 all stupid people,
being, as have remarked, . great satisfaction
TO our inferior fellow-creaturcs TO ind that thei
bettes are. on occasions, no brighter than the,
are. Neither Mr.. Franklin. with his wonderful
foreign training. nor I. with my age, experience
and natural mothcr-wit, had the ghost OF an
Idea Of what Rosanna SpesrmAn's unaecount
able behavior really meant. She was out OF oa
thoughts, poor soul, before We had seen the las
hutter Of her little gray cloak among the sand
hilla And what Of that , you vii, ask naturall,
enough. Read on. good friend, as patiently .,
you can, and perhaps you will be as sorry fol
Rossuna spearman - I vas, when found on
the truth.