The Irish standard., 1892-09-03
CHAPTER XIII.

F1HD NEW RESTING PLACE
Before Mr. Bernard's footsteps died
out on the stairs was making prepare
lions for journey. I needed no time
after his departure to decide what
steps I should take. had reached a
decision before he left. I resolved to
leave there Immediately and to seek a
stopping place In some quiet country
village where no one who knew me
would be likely to even see me or hear
anything concerning me. did not
know where l should go, but believed
l should find some secluded spot where
I would be able to earn living and
where / would be safe from the perse-
cutions of Mr.. Bernard.
/ had a thought of going to Mr.. Cor
nell's, but l put it away when l re-
called the scene that had taken place
between Charles Cornell and myself.
felt that could not with propriety re-
turn there after rejecting his love and
then, reasoned. my presence III his
home must prove a means of augment
ing his grief. No, that good home and
those kind friends were shut away
from me. and as much as longed to go
back to them, could not do SO.
My few possessions were soon packed,
and after making a settlement with
Mrs. Bond, went direct TO the rail
way station at which a train was short
~ due. had enough money to buy
ticket, with a little surplus over, and
when the train arrived went aboard.
I had selected a station about thirty
miles distant as my destination, the
agent having informed me that it was a
small isolated place, remarkable for Its
quietness and obscurity, sand upon my
arrival there found that his informa~
ton was truly correct.
secured a home with an aged widow
lady who was reputed wealthy, but
who was considered extremely eccen-
trio by her neighbors. Her name was
Lawton, and she lived all alone save
for single waiting girl, in a great
mansion of a house that appeared to be
entirely out of place among the small
cheap buildings of the village. She
lived apart from the neighbors, and, in
fact, from the world, practically shut
ting herself at up home with her own
company,
OF Mrs Lawton the people of the vii
lage knew very little. She had moved
there from the city two years before
came, and had had the great house
built after she arrived. She had given
no information of her past life, and
though there were those who made
strenuous efforts to gain a knowledge
of it, nothing was known beyond the
fact that she was widow and was be-
lieved very rich. It was also current
ly reported that she had experienced
some great disappointment and sorrow
from which she would never recover,
though no one had an intimation Of the
cause.
was prepossessed against the man
sion from the first, and did not dare to
venture near it until had visited every
other house in the place and met with
failure in my efforts to secure employ
ment. even hesitaAed then, for there
was something forbidding about the
appearance Of the house-an air Of
GOODNESS and gloonainess, that caused
me to feel that it was place to be
Stunned. I hesitated, but finally de-
cided to visit the house rather than
leave the place without making every
possible attempt to get employment.
The lady whom called on last, and to
whom I announced my intention, said:
''You had as we'll stay away from Mrs.
Lawton, for you're sure to find no STU
alton there. I have my doubts as to
whether she will see you even, and
she's certain to give you no encourage
ment. She's as cold as marble and as
unsympathetic as stone.