Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-10-27

much enduring life. There was no help for
her that way; only the blessed book OF prom
ises TO sustain her through these weary days
and Weakening, anxious nignts. Her school
duties would have given her the relief of
routine, but IL was now vacation-her needle
was no check 10 thought, aud so the week
Ii was Thursday night-he had been gone
six days before the least clue came, and then
II well nigh barre all hope. A letter from
Albert himself, dated from the city, relieved
her worst apprehe lsio3s, for sometimes she
fsncied that he had stumbled from the
bridge and was floating away with the tide
into some shallow bay, where she could see
the whole upturned face drifting 10 aud fro
Ii was fierce, angry message, xcusing MS
that might grow out of IL Oh her. II did not
steal that money, Esther" he said. al took
SLOT was as much mine as yours, for am
sure my share of what mother left would
come 10 that; and now you can have every
thing in peace. Twill not trouble you any
longer. / am old enough to lake my own
way in tue world, and rise by my own exer-
lions as many fellow has done before me.
So you can hold on to your gold! have
shipped In the Greyhound. To sail on the 10Th,
and have counted the days, SO that when
You get this 1t will be useless to come after
me-
He had counted well-the very next day
would be the 20;h. and the Greyhound on its
way TO It's unknown destination. Too late to
rescue him from the miserable life he had
invested with all boys freedom AMI TO.
nance, but not too late TO attempt it, and
thong h the shrek OF the last evening train
rad sounded before the letter reached her,
she laid II down to make instant prepara-
tions for her departure.
Som ething might detain the ship-such
thtngs did chance-the captain would listen
10 her and release him. She would win hi M
To trust her and love her again. sac would
tell him the sad secret OF her suffering child
hood, even of that blow, as warning 10 help
him restrain his anger; and though she had
Kept her plans for him a secret through fear
of failure, he should know all now, ani per-
haps the prospect would help him TO be care
full and selfdeny ing tor!
She did not heed any OF them, bI: her lone
Illness, her strange, preOc:upiei manner. and
the despairtng LOOK with which she sou sht
their faces, when hour after hour passed by,
attracted the notice or her fellow-trav elers-
among them one who lolged, yet did not
dare, To offer her the passing cIvtlity OF the
book he hat flished. of the wine which a
careful mothers hand had provided. aud
which She seemed so much 10 need. He said
to himself that 1t was fancy, doubtless, that
impressed him with the feeling that she was
in some sore trouble or needed any protec-
tlon, yet ne fOund himself turling again and
again for another look into those haunting
eyes aud wandering what was the shadow
that brooded there. He knew, none better,
how quickly these passing interests die out
how mistaken our puresti Instincts often are
how soon he should lose sight of her, never
10 cross her path again. yet 50 long as ii was
possible his looks followed her.
He heard the low signs of relief when the
announcement "All right again. went to
and FRO among the passengers, and that for
the Time she seemed To rest, as the train flew
swiftly on; then came The early twill ght, the
total dark IeSs, and when the lamps dashed
through it the troubled face cleaned ont
white AID still from the partial obscurity
Secure ia her self-a oSor ptlOn, he watched her
through their Journey. He noticed the anx
iet' with which she listened to hear from
casual remarks whether they were nearing
the city and the lateness of the hour; evil
IDENTIFY she was a stranger, and alarmed at
the prospect OF an arrival after night; he saw
her confused start when the expression came
with bis monotonous stereotyped inquiry,
Amy baggage" She did not seem to know
what she wished or have any def lite plan.
But she had formed one before they arrived;
for when the curious traveller turned from
securing his parcels overhead, resolved to
risk her displeasure by a respectful offer of
service, she was gone; and when he sprang to
the pavement, II was 10 see her entering a
carria ge and urging the dri yer to haste.
1t was true that Esther Hewland had
formed no definite plan up to the moment of
the inquiry which had so disturbed her. Sac
had bad counted on two hoars OF daylight, at
least, after her arrival,-5nouyh to condrm
her hope or seal her OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
yOnd that she did not Look. BIT night came
on so suddenly. and for the first TINA she re-
allied the actual loneliness OF her position,
appalling for moment.
1t was then that she suddenly recollected
Agnes Graham; s1t resolved to go to her;
the unlocked for necessity OF the moment
would certainly excuse the intrusion iato q
family where only one member was known
TO her; and it was we'll that she had the dis
might he, for otherwise the certainty OF al
approaching disappointment would have
dlsneartened her. Past 10 O'Clock on Friday,
the 10th, and the ship was TO have sailed at
sunrise.
How interminable the dull streets stretched
before her! How dreary the pattering of the
smell of the close vehicle-th conn le;e isO-
lation OF an utter stranger among all those
hundred houses she was passing, HDE woili
her friends family look upon this iats All
UNLOCKED lnfruSiOnp hor
realizing how little hope there was. rh.re
was jolt!ng halt at length; then a TO ner
an exclamation from their driver. Tley had
come very slowly, for all his promises q ld
she knew that 1t must be very ll:e. He
found the number at last, and opened the
carriage door, holding out his hant for the
fare at the same time. "Since the night was
SO bad aud the lady alone, would she be
PLACED to settle the tribe at ounst:" She
money. 1t was suspiciOusly dark and still;
but there was a hail lamp burning and tag
ing her carpet bag in her hand she went up
the steps with what courage she could sum
mon; the man urg ng on his horses and rat
tling away down the street as she rang the
bell.
miss Graham-is Miss G raham at homer,
she asked OF the wondering majd-servant
who answered her summons, and made a
movement as if to enter the hall, for the
held her TO the threshold:
Miss Agnes, miss? She won't be home
Till next week from Philadelphy. Was she
expecting you, miss?"
Suddenly Esther's courage deserted her.
This was adifficulty that hal never crossed
her mind. She could not force herself upon
entire strangers-the carriage was gone-it
was almost midnIght-in this wilderness OF
city.
The girl waited her reply respectfully The
hall was broad and well furnished; she turned
towards the street again in her uncerta oty;
how black and gloomy II was by contrast!
''Shall speak to Mrs. Graham, miss?"
said the girl, at a loss TO decide upon the
mysterious arrival. Kindly feeling promp-
ted her 10 show the LADY in at once; but were
not the papers full OF warning against unex-
pectei rooberies perpetrated oy people who
were outwariiy as respectable? and thinking
OF this, her duty TO the family, and the rec
objection other own Sunday sha vi and gown,
forbade.
just then flood of light came streaming
into the hall from a door AT the opp )site enI.
There was a table handsomely laii, and
from 1t a gentleman came forward a step or
two, then suddenly retire tted, aud his place
in the picture made by the cheerful doorway
was supplied by a lady, WHO stood as If lis.
tenfng 10 something he said TO her, a nd then
came quickly forward with outstretche ed
hands.
Come in. come in, my dear. Nora, open
the door to Ihe laGv,1