The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-10-26

! And my father had said by his return
it was to be a settled thing. Mrs. Byng
aIof course, had forced MN to say that
she wanted me gone that her child NIGH
reign supreme. Why, not content with
foclng that hated marriage upon me-
she had even that very day heaped other
Iindignities on me; mad had to do ser
wants work. 0, what was to do? My
father had said l should not remain with
him. THIN must marry Mr.. Lomax2
No--never! Rather would beg
Lightning like, a thought flashed
through my mind Was it possible?
had restIessly paced the room; 1 now
stood still. [ put my hands to my head
to still the throbbings. Yes, would do
it; would save them all from further
trouble. | would disappear. Aga |
bathed my face, but this time to clear my
brain. [ looked at my watch-eight
/ o'clock I remembered suddenly that
the London mail stopped at q small sta
ton where we were hardly known, about
! three miles d start, at night-plenty
Of time to catch it.
/ My resolution was taken I had five
pounds in my dressing case, given me
only few days previous for allowance.
took it out and began my arrangements.
First | packed up a SMALL hand bag, into
which [ also put several of my best orna-
ments, and then [ got myself ready for
the walk.
Tue sound in the house gradually
ceased [ heard Mr., Lomax 60 I heard
my stepmothnr go to her room, and the
usual locking up take place, and then all
; was quiet. Half an hour elapsed.
} NOW, or never" thought. and care
fully christening my door, [ crept down
: stairs, went into the dining room and
took glass of wine, and putting into my
pocket some biscuits lett on the table,
: noiseessly opened the French window
| and stepped out on the terrace.
Free AS lightly as possible I glided,
: more than walked, past the front of the
house, without deigning one farewell
: glance at the place that, until Mrs,
Byng's advent, had been happy home
) to me, but that lately had been worse
than prison, and with a sigh of relief
found myself beyond the gates, with the
long stretch of road before me.
How solitary 1t looked. Hitherto L
; had acted in sort Of maze; but the cold
} night air, III reviving, also brought me
, back to the present moment. Should r.
ever be able to walk those dread full
three miles alone? Looking dp suddenly
} saw atar the light giimmering from
Mrs. Byng's window; that decided my
, fate. ] ran swiftly on.
!; Snow was lying on the ground; every
, bush and twig stood Sharply out against
the sky, clearly defined. AS I passed
under IL belt of fir. trees, the Slight noise
.,F,, ctn In
glanced behind to be seized with fear at
my own shadow. Turning the corner of
, the road dark moving thing came to-
I ward me. What could 1t be? NV feet
} seemed rooted to the ground, else [ must
r have turned and fled backward. How
ever, as it came nearer, it proved to be
only a horse with Il clog ON It's leg.
Taking courage, | rushed past it, and
t leaving the road, crossed two fields, and
, began to skirt the river, that being
short cut to the station.
How dark and cod it looked rs it
' glided on But yet it fascinated me, and
stopped to gaze at it for a moment,
What evil spirit was it hat possessed me
! that second? With a shudder | sprang
f quickly forward and ran on my way
alresh, nor did slacken speed until the
e station lights come in view. Not one
. human being had met me; so far might
hope that [ had gained my liberty.
Putting on thick vail, entered and
took my ticket for London.-only just IN
g time, tor the train came up the next min
. ute How thankful! was to be even in
r such Il haven of refuge! Sinking back
n into the first scat, found was not alone,
gentleman sat in the opposite side of
4 the carriage; we had not gone far when
he offered me his rug, which | gladly,
: accepted, for it was dleadfully cold and
q then he seemed to sleep.
During that night underwent fiery
i ordeal OF doubt and fear No sleep Wis
;, tied my eyes; my future plans had to be
. made but chaos reigned supreme in my
mind, and anxious questioning as to
O. whether, after all, I had acted rightly
would perplex me. Would the shock
!, harm my father, who, until Mrs Byng
}. entered the house, chad invariably been
o. kind to me? But, no He had been so
r harsh lately because [ had declared
. could not do as lie wished with respect
r to Mr.. Lomax. The net had gradually
closed around me; each day for the last
two months had in vain pleaded to be
!. left free-he had frightened the strings
Mrs. Byng keeping him up to the mark
he had declared | should agree to this
r marriage, or leave his house. Well, the
:. bird had got free little sooner than they
!, expected, that was all Free But
p whittier next?
At last that night, as every other time,
. good or evil, must come to an end AS
( soon as it was light, my companion began
y to prepare for leaving the train; looked
at his lace it was good and kind-should