The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-30
CHAPTERIII.


found Lady Janet PREPARING to start for
Scotland on the morrow. | fell upon her
neck, and sobbed out all my miserable
story, begging her to SHELTER me, and take
me away from the scene of my unhappi-
ness.
She was very much shocked, and strongly
advised me to return to my home, but, see
ing that [ was really i'll in mind and body,
she gave way at last. ON condition that
sanctioned her writing to my husband,
stating that my absence should only be a
holiday, spent with her among the High
lands to recover health. The next morn
ing, in answer to Lady Janet's letter,
came a command, sternly worded, from my
husband to return home at once.
Had the summons been more gently
given | might have pocketed my pride and
gone, for | was very wretched and longed
to be forgiven; but the cold, hard tone re-
PEELED me, and 1 felt | would rather die
than yield. So | started that day with
Lady Janet for Scotland, feeling very like
child who expected and deserved a whip
ping.
p MRe4 Feeshsa se2tHsnd refs s5 Nal
colin, after which | returned all letters
coming in his handwriting unopened.
Freed from the pressure of my miserable,
dull, aching jealousy, l soon recovered
health and bloom, and really almost en-
months.
Lady Janet kindly invited Frank to
spend the summer vacation with us, and in
rowing, fishing and riding with the dear
boy [ rapidly regained my youth.
Seeing that Frank wanted what he tersely
termed new rig out, | undertook to pro-
coed to London with him and procure one.
so that he might return to school happy.
On the morning of our departure there
came letter to Lady Janet, which she
pressed into my hand, bidding me read it
in the train.
l did so. 1t was from my husbands
brother, Richard Ponsonby, who informed
Lady Janet that my husband had been
brought to deaths door by fever, and had
decided, now that he was recovered, to
give up his splendid practice in London,
and, after voyage with his brother, in
tended to settle in New York, where he
hoped, when away from all that reminded
him of her, to forget the wife who had
cruelty deserted him.
Richard spoke bitt 2rly of me, saying he
should have visited his aunt, but he could
not SIT at the same table where | was well
come guest. He wound up with a request
that, If his aunt knew of a respectable
woman who would undertake the duties of
stewardess, she would recommend her to
MN, as the woman who had held that stu
alton in his ship had resigned through ILL
health. They sailed, he stated, on the both.
1t was then the 18th
Then there was postscript telling of his
own engagement to Rose, whom he extolled
as the dearest little girl in the world. This
letter almost broke my heart. Yearning
for sympathy, | gave it to Frank, crying:
"What shall dol''
After reading it he electrified me by saw
ing:
Rig yourself out as an old party, and go
as stewardess yourself. Lady Janet will
give you a character"
y, how Rugged that boy How eagerly
caught at the idea! 1t was so romantic,
and altogether in accordance with nv
wishes. Assisted by Franks ready wit, /
rapidly arranged the details.
Arriving in London, wrote at once e,
Lady Janet, giving her a full description
of my plan, begging her aid and binding her
to secrecy. l asked her to send the recon.
mendation at once, and to state that | was
worthy, needy creature, fully to be trust.
ed. But of course had no notion of the
duties was about to undertake.
Her reply came quickly, scolding me
soundly. She said she enclosed the desired
letter, but hoped, instead of using it, I
would return it to her.