Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-06-17

its legs again. Jeff dispatched a boy
to get another cab, and then put his
hand into his pocket-to find that his
purse was gone.
by George! I've been robbed he
said. Hatty. have you got any
money!"
They stepped together into the
lighted porch, and she began to
count her little store. One sovereign
ant two-and-six-pence; that was all.
THAT won't do said Jeff, consider
ing. Look here, dear, l must go to
Talbot's chambers and borrow some
It's only little way off, and"
Then let me stay where I am,
she pleaded, lifting her face to his
This is a church, I don't know what
church. o JEFF, L have been 50 fright
ened and shakenI'
The beautiful face, white with dis
tress, raised a sudden anxiety Iii JEFF.
He put his arm around her and led
her gently through a door which
opened without noise A sister OF
charity glided in after them.
Sit down here, darling" he whis-
pered. Rest, and wait till I come
back. l shall be gone about twenty
minutes and then we'll make fresh
start. Only keep your courage up,
that's ALL
He slipped out through the door,
leaving her sitting on a bench under
the west window. The o'clock
evensong had just begun, but the
sCanty congregation had gathered in
the chanCcl and Hatty, at the othey
end Of the church, was quite alone.
Already the girl felt the peace of the
place stealing over her; her heart was
beating more quietly. And then flood
of tears came to her relief. There she
sat, her travelling bag beside her, cry
ing softly and heartily, with no one
looking On-only conscious Just at
present that she was free from all
restraint and thankful for this refuge
and rest
Are you unhappy" asked low
voice by her side.
kerchief, and found Sister of Charity
sitting close to her on the bench. The
sudden question was not easy to an
sWer; and yet it seemd to her after
ward that something had been washed
away by that flood of tears. Her vision
was clearer, all the false enthusiasm
and dazzled vanity were gone. She
had been dcceiving herself, and was
forging now to escape from the coils
that were wound about her
Yes" she said, trembling. Il have
made a dreadful mistake
! think you have run away from
home; is that so? If you will trust
me, | am sure | can help you"
How do you know" Hatty asked.
Il OWNED it all There was an
accident. L saw the gentleman help
you out of the cab, and bring you
here. Presently he will come back
for you"
Yes; but | do not want to go with
him." said Hatty, in a firmer tone.
She realized that she did not love jeff.
1t rad to come to that at last. While
she had thought that she had loved
him she had been sustained by fic-
titiOus strength of mind, but that was
swept away, aid she knew the truth.
Very WE'LL" said the sister quietly;
then he must not find yOu here when
he returns. Come with me and when
you are more composed | will take you
home.
Hatty felt her hand gently gHasped.
She rose and the sister led her to a
door on the other side, masked by d
heavy purple curtain. She was con-
Quoted through a dim corridor, into a
plain little room, which was, however,
sweet with the scent OF violets. Pens
and paper we're on the table; her
guide seated her in an armchair. and
told her quietly to write few lines.
What shall | say to him?' asked
iIatty. looking up, like a child, for
| directions.
| A sharp flash of feeling crossed the
sisters quiet face; her nOstrils CULVER
| ed, her lips we're compressed for a
moment Then she answered, quite
calmly.
Say to him what you said to me
I have made a dreadful mistake.
| Hatty obediently wrote the words,
and added, Il am going home"
Il will see that it is given him, .
the sister said, when the note was in
closed in an envelope. The fog will
clear off presently, l daresay. Until
it does ycu had better sit here in peace
and have some tea. But don't be
troubled my child, l am sure that
you have done the right thing"
The last injunction was hardly
needed Hatty wondered that she was
so little troubled; her decision seemed
to have given her a feeling of perfect
rest, and the flight from Woburn
Square was looked back upon as a
bad dream. Jeff would be angry and
distressed, she supposed; but she
could not help it.
She w /, weak little thing, and did
not want to look upon his face again
She put out her hand and drew to-
wards her terra Gotta vase filled
with yiOlets; and a mood that was soft
and repentant stole upon her, making
her cry little once more. Her ia
Their was fond of violets: once OF
twice she had seen him wear them in
his button-hole. All, well!-she would
Put a bunch on the table for him to-
morrow, and she would look after him
dutffulIy to the end of his days! Just
then a little girl wearing a charity