The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-06-07

had gradually closed around me; each
day for the last two months had ia
vain pleaded to be left free: he had
tlghented the strings, Mrs. Byng keen.
ing HIM up to the mark; he had de.
clared I should agree to the marriage on
leave tie house. Well, the bird had
got free a little sooner than thew ex.
pected, that was all FreeI But
whittier next?
At last that night, as every other
time, good or evil, must come to an
end: As soon as it was light nv com
panion began % prepare for leaving the
train l looked at his face it was kind
and good. Shtnld l confide in him
and beg his helps No; henceforth it
was for me to act slone. Nv rash sten
had forfeited the woman prerogative Of
being taken care Of; already punish-
ment came in that thooghti However.
l plucked up courage to ask him to
take me to some place for breakfast !.
and then, when in oab after he had
hidden me adieu, felt az though INV
one rambling friend vas gone /; there
had been sense of protection even in
his presence.
The need Of action, however, recalled
me to myself. After driving a short
distance toward Tempie-bar, / ordered
ca6man to take me again north, and
reaching part of London l knew,
from having been near at school, l got
out and paid the man, and then taking
my bag in hand sought for some quiet.
inexpensive lodging. Finally. after a
weary walk, l succeeded in getting a
cheap bedroom in a respectable street :;
after ordering some necessary things, 1
sat down to consider the next step to
take. Certainly q suitable change of
dress; l would 60 and buy new things
| at once. Then ] went to a servants
registry office, and put my name down
for lady's maid place. Nv money
would not hold out long; thus might
gain an honest livelihood, thought in
my inexperience. Surely in the vor
tex of London ones identity could be
lost
That night sleep came, and the whole
OF the next day illness kept me pris-
oner. 1t was the reaction the mind,
though still master of the body, which
was weak and tender. At Ia t, shaken
and feeble, ! succeeded in dressing.
Horror of horrors! on counting my
small stock of money found it would
be barely sufficient to pay the expenses
of the past day. Hastily l put on my
bonnet and started in search of situa-
ton. ], Beatrice Byng! A list was
given me, but at each house where
applied the place had just been filled
up. Having parted with some of my
Jewels, | continued my search for q
situation, and at the end OF few weeks
was sent to see a lady who was locking
out for maid for her daughters. How
odd it felt to be shown into her pres
ence as a servanti Know behaved
strangely, illness had made me ner.
vous; after putting a few general
questions the lady asked for my char.
acter.
al have not lived out BEFORE" an.
swered.
"Then, at all events, young woman,
you can give me some reference
"No, ma'am," ! said; 81 can only
ask you to try me without any one
speaking for me; will do my utmost
to please YOU"
" Really, this is most abominable OF
Mrs. Rogers sending me q person with.
out any character +; pray go instantly; l
never have anything to do with such as
you."
A burning blush overspread my face
and Withdrew how got out of the
house know not. That was the last
situation / would seek! Utterly hope
less, and worn out in mind and body, !
walked up and down the terraces and
squares, dreading TO 90 back to my
lonely room, though fearing to be seen
and recognized even now. One thought
alone brought comfort; far better this
life even than that Of the betrothed oil
Mr.. Lomax.
1t seemed to my excited imagination
that people put their heads out of their
carriage windows to look after me;
wondered 10 myself if looked as
strange and unreal as felt. Walking
along l caught glimpses of comfortable
kitchens, bright fires, and groups Of
merry servants. 1t was just dusk. Al
one house a carriage load of children
was being put down-one young mother
even came to the door to meet her
child-there were joyous greetings and
much laughter. How the voices thrilled
through mel So had l once been
And now fugitive, and almost starv
ing, | crept along. How good the smell
of dinner being cookedl had tasted
nothing that day.) A peal of bell.
struck my ear. Christmas Evel So j,
was. Choking back my tears l hasten
ed on 10 Christmas greetings for me
no kiss, no presents, no joy. No one t.
take any care whether lived or died
With these thoughts ] crept back L
my lodging; they came and told M
they were going out to family gather
ing. I
"very WE'LL" responded, "only le
me be-"
The landlady looked at me sorrow
fully, and saying that had best 60 I,
bed and get warm-I had no fire-ant
that she would send me up some tea
left me to my own sad thoughts.
Bitter tears came to my aid, my brail
else had been crazed; repentance 70
my rash step began to make itself felt
conscience whispered that l had no
considered sufficiently its possible effec
upon others. After all, was not tn
punishment merited? But then the a.
ternative-marrisge with man des
pised as well as hatedi All, we'll
Welcome death before that
The Christmas bells rang all tha
evening and far into the night. I sanl
into sort of q trance; cold and hunge
alike were forgotten. saw well-li
room, warmth and plenty prevailed
merry childish figures ran about, m
father sat at the head of wsll-covere
table, around him were many brigll
faces; little girl dressed to represen