The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-11
THE HISTORY OF A LIFE.
~ THE AUTHOR OF CAPTAIN GERALD," "THF
RIGHT OF Way" ETC.
CHAPTER VII.-(CoNTINUED.)


Margaret's slackened speed when she
found herself free, and made straight for
one of the bridges which cross the Seine.
A gendarme she passed stared at her
critically; but as the lower classes in
France never wear bonnets aud seldom
anything over their shoulders unless it is
very cold, of course there was nothing
very extraordinary in her appearance to
his mind
Euphemia attracted rather more of his
attention, and be might possibly have
been impertinent but for the naughty
way she drew herself erect in passing.
Her heart was beating wildly, and yet
she had gained 50 well the art of conceal
ing her feelings, that no one would have
guessed from her face how greatly she
was suffering.
Margaret darted on to the bridge, but
in one of the inches, where there was a
statue of Henri Quatre, she stood motion
less, sobered, perhaps, by the ripping
music of the water, and the beauty of the
long, wavering line of lights reflected
thereon.
Euphemia paused behind her, absolute
ly silent. She dared not speak, lest she
might precipitate any rash act Margaret
was contemplating; and the thought
came over her she could not still or stihe,
what a glorious release it would be if
Margaret would commit self-destruction
What easier solution could there be to
her difficulties, and who would miss the
woman? She seemed to have no friends
and she was the curse of her life-a ter.
rible burden, only to be borne because
there is some power in us which makes
the inevitable also endurable.
But if she were to die! The cold
waters would give up their dead some
day, it is true; but in the disfgured
corpse at the Morgue, who should recog
nize Margaret Cell?
There would be no one to trace her
and she could easily persuade Mr.. Roper
that Margaret had returned to her own
country; and he would rejoice at the in
telligence unfeignedly, and not be moved
to any indiscreet inquiries respecting hel
fate. 1t was cruel, awful temptation.
Margaret was leaning over the parapet
and touch--the slightest push--Eu
phemia drew away from her very self in
horror as this thought assailed her. And
let my readers bear this fact in mind all
through my story: at this moment, wheI
she was in full possession of her faculties
the temptation assailed her with all its
might, and she resisted it without effort
Ii this be forgotten, it were well her his
tory were never told.
At this minute, the rain began to fall
in a sharp pelting shower. 1t soaked
Margaret's rare head, and cooled it, ap
patiently; for she came shivering and
penitent to Ellphemia's side.
Owe had nearly enough of this. We'll
20 home now, if you like"
Euphemia turned Immediately, anx
ious, lest her good intentions should
evaporate before there was time to carry
it into effect, and threaded the streets
with quick, light step, until they came
to their hotel.
The porte-cochere was still open, luck
fly, and the concierge was fast asleel
in his chair; SO they got to Mar
garets room unperceived. The woman
was thoroughly sobered by this time
and, moreover, whsch was rare, somewha
ashamed of herself
Euphemia helped her remove he
wet clothes, got her quickly to bed. wait
ed until she was sound asleep, which hap
pened in very few minutes, and thel
returned to her own room.
Her black lace dress was all dragglec
and spoilt, and she took care to place i
in cupboard out of sight, lest Mr.. Roper
when he awokc in the morning, shoul'
be tempted to inquire how it happened.
Then she sought her own pillow; bu
} we may be sure her eyes, weary thougl
they were, greeted the dawn wide ope,
and unrefreshed and only closed for
few minutes at time in some drear
nightmare, which made her only to'
thankful to substitute even her wakin
thoughts for such dreams