Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-04-09

/ di@@u Testing came orcr her.
upon the point Of Iainting and falling sense
less on the doorstep. BY supreme effort
she rouSad herself and shook off the ircioiens
stupor. If once she sank down her weary
limits might rebel aat -sfuse to do her bid
ding. She might Ii AbA3 until her preSenCs
was discovered and khat discovery ruined
all. No if she We're 10 Si:lE an perhaps die.
let it be rs far away frees Eeatrice as her
waning strength I'D carry her. Sweet as
1t would be to breathe her last within reach
Of her mistress, even tGch poor comfort
could not be vouchSacei o her
II s'>eaES volumes for the iron strength cf
he'' VII, InSomuch that it stru ggei with
and overcame, 10 on, = the woman's physi-
cal fatigue, Tut also ti- craving for QUE
glimpse OF Beatrice which chained her to
the spot She tore herself away, and with
out once looking back forced her tire limbs
to bear her TO a considerable distance. Here
she found quiet doorstep on which 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 bv
little, unit by unit, the city began to awake.
Here and there the shutters went down from
shop, ami at last the weary woman saw
all but fac.nE her a bakers window. She
entered the shop, bought some bread and
begged 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
Shs 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 a 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 throbbiug 4 strange
sound, fierce rushing sound, 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 ewes
she saw through the darkness a light. a
fierce light, red like blood, and dra wing
nearer and nearer.
But i'll spite of all this she was able to
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 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 a 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 tie worn face. As the train hurried
on the wheels within her brain whirlei
faster and faster, the rushing sound grew
stronger, and the fierce red light shone red.
der, bercer and nearer.
Save for such inquiries as the exigency
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
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 eyes when doing so at
once brought the red light before them2
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 a protracted yet
incoberent dream All she knew or carei 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 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 ke left to
give clew to her identity. Last OF all she
drew from an envelope a photograph Of
Beatrice. She gazsd at it 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, AMI once more stood ON the
platform which she had quilted rather more
than three days before. 1t was now past 8
o'clock in tae morning. Whittier shouli
she turn. Sac stood hesitating and bewil-
dere1.
There was one thing more which she had
settled to do. What was itl Oh, these
wheels, those wheels, will they never stopl
She pressed her fingers 10 her temples, ana
strove to recall what resolution had slipped
from her mind
All, now she remembered what it was
Her money, she must get rid Of that Ste
had no further need Of money, now that ste
had reached the final goal. In her poke
were 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 wes
nothing left which could in any way show
who she was or whence she came
She passed out under the archway, a soil
-ary dary ySl.aI
in grief. Size passed from the gastiy white
glare Of electric lamps into the all but de-
serted Strand. She walked some way I'D
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, than stopped shor. and gazed over the
parspet into the river. Bot no thought r
self-destruction had entered into her haa-
although the red light was still before her
eyes. the wild rush stu sounding in her ears
and those fearful iron wheels IN her brain
circling more rapidly than ever. No, the
river tad hut for her thu attraction which
smooth, calm, peaceful stream has for all
who are in deep distress. So she looked and
looked; eTsn craned over the parapet 70 peer
into its sonbe-, placid depths
At that moment binding light flashed
upon her eyes AMI q hand grasped her
shoulder. Vow none Of that nonsense
said slarp voice-the voics OF policeman
who hat seen her dark form against the
stonewcrk Of tha brfigs. The women turned
her face TO his, and the anguish written upon
it PERSIA led the constable that he had arrived
just IN TIE nick OF time.
River airs ba ] at night for such as you
be said IN a k;n.er voic.- Now you 60
Straigat hone Ike good woman I'll see you
safe Of tee bridge You can go from which
end you Ike, hut If you stay here any longer,
well, ! mast run you in
She csas-Sei he- hands Il am nadF shs
cried in pi-eous- mIloring tones Cant you
see az i-l.r3: Tske me AMI put me where
mad perfe are SEA. to-
Sasage a. confession Of insanity seemed.
the puzzled POLICEMAN was bound TO take her
at her word TIE more so because she would