The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-09-05
woman, and putting the light down,

girl-a dreadful dream--and I am
afraid. Let mo stay here with you"
So she sat down and began in low,
trembling voice to talk of Laura's
dead mother; of her pure, lofty wo-
manhood, and of her love for her
child. Laura scarcely heard her; the
time was going fast; it was close upon
midnight; she must make an effort at
once. SO during a moments pause,
she said:
"Will madame try to sleep now?"
eyes, I will put out the light, and
we will both try"
First, will madame permit me to
go to Clara's room? 1 have left my
things there. 1 shall not disturb any
one"
In a moment madame's attitude
changed; her eyes scintillated with
light; all the caressing tenderness and
sorrow Of her voice and manner we're
gone. She was like an accusing spirit.
Down on your knees, false girl,
whom no memory of mothers love
could soften Down on your knees,
and let your prayers strengthen the
hands of those good angels who are
fighting your evil genius this very
moment Pray as those should pray
whose very life and salvation hang
upon villains word" And, draw
ing the girl down beside her, she
watched out with her those dangerous
midnight hours.
At two o'clock Laura was left to
weep out alone her shame and her dis
appointment. Madame had kissed
and forgiven and comforted her with
such comfort as was possible; but
youth takes hardly the breaking of its
idols, and it was bitter and humiliat-
ing to hear that this handsome Ernest
was better known to the police courts
than to the noble houses he talked
about, and yet she had chosen his So
ciety and had been willing to become
his wife. Madame had not spared her
she had spoken very plainly of a
gamblers wife and of thief's home
of shames and horrors Laura trem-
bled to recall-addlng:
'1 had willingly kept you ignorant
of such things, for the knowledge OF
them takes the first bloom of purity
from good girls heart; but, alas,
Laura, if you will go forbidden roads,
you must at least be warned of the sin
and the sorrows that haunt them"
Laura was ill many days afterward.
Madame had indeed forgiven her, but
it was hard to forgive herself; and for
long time even passing memory of
her first lover brought tingling
blush of shame to her cheeks and a
sickening sense of disgrace and fright
to her heart.
1t was ten years after this event,
and Laura, with her two daughters,
was driving slowly across Cannock
Chase. The pretty children sat on
either side of her, and she drove the
ponies slowly. often stopping to let
the little girls alight and pull blue
bell or handful of buttercups. Dur
ing one of these stoppages, as she sat,
with a smile on her handsome face,
watching the happy little ones, some
one, coming from behind, touched
her rudely on the arm. She turned
and saw man In grimy leather cloth
ing, with an evil, cruel face, at her
side.
Supposing him to be one of the men
employed in her husbands iron works,
who had been discharged or who
wanted help, she said:
"Well, what is it, sir?"
The man answered curtly:
'Iaura !"
Then Laura looked steadily into the
dirty, imbruted face. And in spite OF
SCOT and scars and bruises, she knew
il.
"Mr. Trelawny, why do"
"Boshl My name is Bill Yates
You fooled me once my lady, but you
will pay me for it now. I've been
Jagged since then-sent across for
seven years-only got back six months
since. Glad have found you, for /
won't work any more now. Come, 1
want a fiver to start with"
ga 'fiverg"
eyes; a five-pound note.
al shall not give you q penny"
'"rhen l shall take one of them
little girls-the youngest is the pret-
test"
"For Gods sake, don't go near my
children will give you the money. "
81 prefer the money, it wall save me
the trouble of selling the child to the
gypsies.
Laura hastily counted out the sum
there was seven shillings more in her
purse, and the villain said;
'I'll take the change, too. Shall /
lift the children into the phaeton?"
Don't touch them. Don't look at
them Oh, go away Go away"
$50 away, indeed You were glad
enough once TO come to me. have
your letters yet. 1t would be a sweet
thing to show them to your husband. "
"You had better murder me.
'1 have half mind to; but it suits
me better to keep you for my banker.
Be here next week with five pounds
seven shillings, and every week after,
until further notice, or else / will
steal your child and send them letters
to your fine husband.
Then, with threatening scowl and
the shake of a clelt;hed fist in her
face, he went away, taking with him
all the joy and peace out of poor
Lauras life.
She now lived in constant terror,