The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-09-19
4 dizzy fssling came orer her.


her will, lnsomuch that it struggled with
and overcame, not only the woman's physi-
cal fatigue, but also the craving for one
glimpse OF Beatrice which chained her to
the spot. She tore herself away, and with
out once looking back forced her tired limbs
to bear her TO "a considerable distance. Here
she found "A quiet doorstep on viii oh she sat
unmolested sat and fought against her ex-
haustion, until such time as she would be
able to procure food.
1t was not long before slowly, little by
little, unit by unit, the city began to awake.
Here and there the shutters went down from
a shop, AM at last the weary woman saw
all but facin. her bakers window. She
entered the shop, bought some bread and
legged glass Of water. Not for her own
SAKE, but for the sake of another, she was
called upon to eat and drink
She ate her bread, and then somewhat
strengthened again began her pilgrimage
She crept through the streets until she
reached the railway station. Here she as
certained ut what time the next train for
the west would art.
She had long time to wait. She hid her,
self in one corner Of the waiting room, and
sat like a statue. But her brain was burn
ing and her pulse throbbing. A strange
sound, a fierce rushing soun1 was ever in
her ears; great wheels seemed turning and
turning in her head; and if for moment
she dared to close her hot and weary eyes,
she saw through the darkness light, a
fierce light, red like blood and dra wing
nearer and nearer.
But in spite OF all this she was able to
! take her Sc . IN the train, able to exult that
she had found the strength to bear her SO
far; able To pray that her strength might
last until she once more stood in LONDON.
Then all would be safe. No matter what
became of her then. The work was finished,
what did the future of the tool matterl
The train left Munich, and as it steamed
out of the magnificent station, the woman
yelled her face with her black shawl In
spite of her conviction that she had but
executed pre- ordained task, she dared not
look upon the spot where she had knelt On the
previous night. Miles and miles passed be-
fore she removed the somber covering from
her white worn face. AS the train hurried
| on the wheels within her brain wLirled
faster and faster, the rushing sound grew
stronger. and the fierce red light shone red
der fercer and nearer
Save for such inquiries as the exlgency
Of the journey forced her to make, and such
| speech as was necessary to procure the food
and drink which nature absolutely demand
ed, the woman spoke no word curing that
long journey back. Except that now and
again she pressed them to her brow, in a
vain endeavor to stop the wheels which
whirled in her brain, her thin hands were
for ever ella sped beneath her dark shawl.
She sat and stared into vacancy. How
could she cioSe her ewes when doing so at
once brought the red light before theml
For all she knew, that journey might have
lasted months or years. Periods Of time
meant nothing to her now. Eternity, not
Time, lay before her.
The long journey by land, the shorter
journey by sea. passed like protracted yet
incoherent dream. All she knew or carei to
know was that she was sre ding on to
London. At last the sound OF English
voices, the sight of English faces, told her
that she had reached the last stage Of her
Journey Then she reused herself and made
her final preparations.
She searched her pocket, and tore into
small bits every piece Of paper it contained,
SO that no written word could re left to
give clew to her identity. Last OF all she
! drew from an envelope a photograph CT
Beatrice She gazed at it long and passion
ately, and then, with deep sigh, tors it
across and across, and threw the pieces to
the winds. Sho dared not even keep this
poor relic of her darling.
London at last! Sarah Miller stepped
from the train, and once more stood on tho
platform which she had quilted rather more
than three days before 1t was now past
o'clock in tho morning. Whittier should
she turn. She stood hesitating and bewiL
dered.
There was one thing moro which she had
settled to do. What was itl Oh, those
wheels, those wheels, will they never stopl
She pressed her fingers to her temples, and
strove to recall what resolution had slipped
from hor mind
Alb, now she remembered what it was
Her money, she must get rid Of that She
had no further need Of money, now that she
had reached the final goal. In her poke
wero both German and English coins. She
collected them, and creeping stealthily to
the box which stands awaiting contributions
for some, doubtless, very deserving charity,
she dropped in every coin that was upon her
person. This done, she believed there was
nothing left which could in any way show
who she was or whence she came.
She passed out under the archway, a soil
tary, dark robed figure with head bent as
in grief She passed from the gastly white
are Oi eieStii ~ ramps NV eno 49, WV oo
serted Strand. She walked some way up
the Strand, then, without any definite aim,
turned to the right and by and by found
herself on the embankment
Still she wandered on until she reached
Waterloo bridge She went half way across
it, then stopped short and gazed over the
parapet into the river. But no thought Of
self.destructiou had entered into her head,
although the red light was still before her
sves. the wild rush still sounding in her ears,
and those fearful iron wheels in her brain
circling more rapidly than ever. No, the
river had but for her the attraction which q
smooth, calm. peaceful stream has for all
who are in deep distress. So she looked and
looked; even GRAINED over the parapet to peer
into its somber, placid depths.
At that moment binding light flashed
U k--