The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-08-24

aer hand. enter sf the room. She was
very small. slight woman. with q
grave. loyable face and "a pair Of won
icrful eyes. In their calm. clear light
lay the secret OF her power over the
fifty girls whom She ruled absolutely
with "A g.ancc or smile. She came
gliding in more like spirit than .
woman. and putting the light down,
said:
Laura. ! have had dream. dear
girl.a dreadful dream and I am
afraid. Let me stay here with you"
So she sat down and began in a low,
trembling voice To tell Of Laura's dead
mother; Of her pure lofty w9nanho God,
and of her love OF her child Laura
scarcely heard her; the time was going
faster, IL was close upon midnight. She
must make an effort at once. So, dur
ing moments pause, she said:
"Will madame try TO sleep now?"
"Yes, will put out the light, snd
we will both try"
First. will madame permit me To 90
to Claras room? have left my things
there. shall not disturb anyone.
In moment madame attitude
changed; her eyes scintillated with
light: all the caressing tenderness and
sorrow Of her voice and manner Were
gone. She was like an accusing spirit.
Down on your knees. false girl.
whom no memory OF mothers love
could softer. Down on your knees.
and let your prayers strengthen the
hands OF those good angels who are
fighting your evil genius this very mo-
iRent. Pray as those should pray
whose purity and honor, whose very
life and salvation hang upon a villains
word And drawing the girl down
beside her, She watched ont with her
those dangerous midnight hours.
At = o'clock Laura was left to weep
out alone her shame and her disap-
pointment. 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 humiliating to
hear that this handsome Ernest was
better known To the police courts than
to the noble houses he talked about
and yet that she had chosen his >oci
ETY. and had been willing to become
his wife. Madame had not spared her
she had spoken plainly of IA gambler
wife and of thicf's home-of shamc'
and horrors Laura trembled to recal
adding:
- had willingly kept you ignorant
of such things. for the knowledge o
them takes the first bloom of purit,
from good girls heart; but, alas
Laura. if you will go forbidden roads
you must at least be warned of the sir
ard the sorrows that haunt them
Laura was ill many days aftervard
Madame had indeed forgiven her. bu
il was hard To forgive herself, and fo
a long time even IA passing memory o
her first lover brought tingling blusi
of shame to her cheeks and a sickeninl
sense of disgrace and fright TO ne
heart.
II was ten years after this event. an,
Laura. with her two daughters. wa
driving slowly across Cannock chase
The pretty children sat on either sid,
of her. and she drove the ponies slow
ly. often stopping to let the little girl
aiight and pull bluebell or handful
Of buttercups. During one of thes
stoppages. as She sat. with a smile OF
her handsome face. watching the hap
py little ones. some one. coming iron
behind. touched her rudely on tn
arm She turned and saw man il
grimmy leather clothing, with an evil
cruel face. at her side.
Surprising him to be one Of the mel
employed in her husbands iron works
who had been discharged or VIII
wanted help. she said:
.Well. what is il. sir?''
The man answered curtiy:
Laura"
Then Laura looked steadily into III
dirty imbrntcd face. And in spite O
SCOT and sears and bruises. she kne,
It,
MIR. Treiawny. why do"
"Bosh. My name is Bill Yates. 70
fooled me once. my lady. but YOU wi
pay me for it now I've been lagge
only got back six months sine,
Glad ! have found You. Tor ! won
work any more now. Come. want
! flyer to start with. !"
"A 'iyer2'"
"lcs; fivc-pound note"
} IL shall not give YOU penny.
"rhcn ! shall take one Of them Ii
tie girls-thc youngest is the prett
est
For Gods sake. don't 70 near m
children. ! Will give you the money
Il prefer the money. IL will save n
the trouble OF selling the child TO II
mere gypsies."
Laura hastily counted out the SUI.
\ there was seven shillings more in h,
purse. and the villain said:
.'rll take the change. too. shall
lift the children into the phaeton?"
Don't touch them. Don't look I
them. oh. go away. Go away"
go away. indeed. You were gla
enough once to come to me. ha,
your letters yet II would be swc,
thing to show them to your husband
49,, 4 h,txa,- ,v,vrJcv