Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-06


less on the doorstep. BY supreme effort
she reused herself and shook off the incipient
stupor. If once she sank down her weary
limbs might rebel and refuse to do her bid
ding. She might lie there until her presenC o
was discovered, and that discovery ruined
all. No, if she were to sink AM perhaps die,
let it be as far away from Reatrice as her
waning strength uld carry her Sweet as
1t would he to breathe her last within reach
OF her mistress even sucn poor comfort
could not be vouchsafe1 10 her
IL sJH a{< volumes Tor the iron strength "a
her will, lnsomuch that it stru gglei with
and overcame, not only the womans physi-
cal fatigue, but also the craving for one
glimpse of Beatrice. which chainel her to
the spot. She tore herself away. and with
out once looking back forced her tired limbs
to lear her to considerable distance. Here
she found quiet doorstep on which she sat
unnolested. 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, and at last the weary woman saw
all but facing her a bakers window. She
entered the shop, bought some bread and
begged glass Of water Not for her own
called upon to eat and drink.
She ate her bread and then somewhat
st strengthened again began her pilgrimage
She crept through the streets until she
reached the railway station. Here she as
certained at what time the next train for
the west would start
She had long time to wait. She hid her
self in one corner of the waiting room, and
sat like statue. But her brain was burn
ing and her pulse throbbng. strange
sound, fierce rushing sound, was ever in
her ears; great wheels seemed turning and
turning in her head; and if for a moment
she dared TO close her hot and weary eyes,
she saw through the darkness a light,
fiercs light, red like blood, and dra wing
nearer and nearer
But in spite of all this she was able 10
take her seat 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 matteri
The tram left Munich, and as IL ct canned
out Of the magnificent station, the woman
yelled her face with her black shawl. In
spite OF her conviction that she had but
executed a pre- ordained task, she dared not
look upon the spot where she had knelt ON the
previous night. Miles and miles passed Le-
fore she removed the somber covering from
her white worn face. As the train hurried
on the wheels within her brain whirlel
faster and faster, the rushing sound grew
stronger, and the fierce red light shone red
der, fiercer and nearer.
Save for such inquiries as the exigency
OF the journey forced her to make and su ch
a
and drink which nature absolutely demand
ed, the woman spoke no word during 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 claSped beneath her dark shawl
She sat and stared into vacancy. How
could she close her ewes when doing 30 at
once brought the red light before themf
For all she knew, that journey might ha ve
lasted months or years. Periods Of time
meant nothing 10 her now. Eternity, not
Time, lay before her.
The long journey by land, the shorter
journey by sea, passel like a protracted vet
incoherent dream. All she knew or care to
know was that she was speeding on to
London. AT last the sound OF English
voices, the sight OF English faces, told her
that sle had reached the last stage OF her
journey. Then she rous sd 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 te left to
give clew to her identity. Last of all she
drew from an envelope a photograph Of
Beatrice. She gazei at IL long and passion
ately, and then, with deep sigh, tore it
across and across, and threw the pieces to
the winds. She dared not even keep this
poor relic of her darling.
London at last! Sarah Miller stepped
from the train, and once more stood ON the
platform which she had quite rather more
than three days before. II was now past 3
o'clock in toe morning. Whittier should
she turn. She stood hesitating and bewil-
dered
There was one thing more which she had
settled to do, What was it' Oh, those
wheels, those wheels, will they never stopi
She pressed her fingers to her temples, and
strove TO recall what resolution had slipped
from her mind.
All, now she remembered what II was.
Her money, she must get rid of that She
had no further need Of money, now that sic
had reached the final goal. In her poke.