The Osceola times., 1881-01-08
CHATTER II.

TIE long-sufierlng and patient teacher.
For was she not soon 10 see the magni-
ficent mansion where she would some
time reign queen? What were Latin
roots and French verbs TO a young lady
of her grand expectations? At last the
clock chimed the hour Of three, and our
young lady was free to go to the house
of the friend with whom she had OBJ
tanned permission to pass the evening.
But instead of going there as she lett the
school building she entered a street car
going in the opposite direction, toward
the very heart of the city. The streets
which they presently enter arc un-
familiar 10 Belle, but what school girl of
sixteen is not equal to such an occasion?
So she leaned calmly back in the seat
and watched the changing panorama in
the street. II was a long ride, very
long one, but at length her ewes bright
ened, and she sprane to her feet; ben
evolent looking old gentleman stopped
the car and assisted her to alight. She
thanked him with graceful little bow
and smile, then walked slowly down a
side street, scanning every house closely.
Though near the center of the citv, the
street seemed quiet and retired. 1t was
lined on both sides by grand and gloomy
looking brown stone fronts. Before one
of these Belle paused, then with beating
heart assembled the marble steps and
rang the bell; the door was opened by a
girl who looked at her curiously as she
timidly inquired if Mrs. Hunt was with
in-this was the name of the aged aunt,
for whom Alphonse had directed her to
ask. The girl hesitsted for a moment
and then with a peculiar smile on her
unpleasant countenance threw open the
door of magnificent reception room
and invited Belle to enter. She did SO,
and, after seeing fer seated, the girl
left the room, closing the door after her.
The room was rather dark, but gradually
as Bellies eyes became used to the dim
light shs was assured that Alphonse
had not exaggerated when he described
his magnificent surroundings. A carpet
thick and soft as moss covered the floor;
rich curtains were draped 81 as to con-
ceal the plate-glass windows, and here
ard there, from out the darkness
cleaned beautiful statuarv. She had
ample leasure to observe all this, then
as no one came, she began to grow in
dignant.
"Why was not Alphonse here to re-
ceive her? Why did they keep her
waiting so long?"
Suddenly voice so near that it made
her start, exclaimed:
"Hello, sisp
She looked around with startled
cry; she had thought herself alone; but
near by, partly hidden by the window
draping, was a man gazing at her with an
impudent stare. He was adorned by a
red necktie and a profusion of fashy
iewelry; he sat astride chair with his
arms folded over the back, and n look
in the bold black eyes which made
Bells cheeks blaze with Indignation.
She did not deign to reply. Her silence
seemed to amuse him. He caressed his
with smile of intense enjoy
ment, then inquired afiably:
"You came to call on nae, l sup
Dose?"
This was probably an impudent SER
want; would Alphonse never come? She
replied coldly:
IL wish to see Mr.. Sartoris.'
"Any relation to the Grant family?"
81 wish to see Mr.. Aiphonss Sarto-
isl"
"Ahl" with a gesture of mock surprise;
Il thought you were inquiring for AL
,ernonl" he arose, and bringing his
hair to her side, peered into her face
but as Algy is not in at
present, and the other gentleman is en-
irely unknown to me-won't II"
Belle sprang to her feet, the blood
,urging over her cheek and brow; dim
ioreboding of, she knew not what, filling
ier with one idea-she must get away
rom this house, out of the presence of
his terrible man; as she reached the
loor it was opened from without, but
he glad exclamation, sAlphonse!" was
,becked by the appearance of the We
man who entered. Richly, but flashily
dressed, crime was stamped on every
feature of her repulsive, red face; its
appearance was not at all improved by
1 large scare which ran zig gag across
he forehead. She closed the door and
kept her hand on the latch as she
ooked keenly at the shrinking figure of
he girl.
mistaken in the person, my dear"
she said, in course voice, "Walt, what's
he rumpus?"
Walt, laughed brutally. But Belle,
ner heart beating with terror, said
gently:
Madame, | fear | am mistaken; does
not Mr.. Alphonse Sartors live here?"
The woman and the man exchanged
significant glances, and then they
laughed.
"Another one of Larkey's fancy
Names" said the woman. "All right,
my girl, you'll stay"
"Where am l? Who areyou?" gasped
Belle.
"One question at a time, young lady,"
Walt, blandly. 81 have the
honor to introduce you to Madame
Jorallie Hunt, principal of this unri-
vailed institution for girls. Special at
tention paid to morals and manners
We are Just out of circilars, but per-
haps you have heard OF this place be-
fore?"
Madame Coralliel-hearl of her!-she
had, but as she had heard of imaginary
horrors too terrible TO be named, some
thing to dark and awful b ever come in
contact with her fresh yong life, like a
flash of light a complete understanding
of the plot to entrap her ome to Belle.
Alone, unprotected, not wen her par
ents dreaming of her pGil. Alone in
this den of merciless basts! With a
piercing scream she sprng toward the
door, but was pushed violently back by
the madame.
"None of that, my girl you're bound
to stay here, and might as well make
the pest of it; you may give me some of
that extra jewelry while We are on this
subject, too.
A faint hope sprang up in the poor
child's heart. She began ,earing off her
small supnly pt iewelry nth faverish