The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-02

He protested till the dressing gong
sounded: but L remained as firm as 4
rock
May" said my father at dinner that
evening, that young Despard seems to
, call here pretty often. This is the third
day running. isn't it?''
Yes, papa; but he won't ever come
here again.
why not?" asked my father looking
up at me keenly.
Because I am going away
Going away? Where?"
81 am going into Observation-Disclosures
I cried, bursting into tears.
MY little May, what is ito" he
asked, coming round to me at once.
ooh you are $3.50 very kind to me.
papai and-and I'm sure you don't
mean it! But you s-s-send me down
into Hades for your
MY dear child what strong lam
guage, What do you mean?"
1 dried my eyes, and told him all
about Alcestis.
He did not take it nearly so Well as
Captain Despard had done. He was
very angry, and talked about frank
folly. and modern notions derived
from reading idiotic novels" pointed
out that the notions were derived from
an intelligent comprehension of ancient
classical mythology, and he told me TO
go to bed. l went. though it was not
yet 10 o'clock, feeling excessively mis-
era h+es- but with my mind now firmly
made up. What more is needed, save
one touch of martyrdom, to make
woman feel sure she is in the right?
CHAPTER II
Next day went out and looked at
various lodgings. Those 1 liked best
were in quiet little street near to the
Marble Arch. 1t was called Old Quaint
street; and the woman who let the
rooms had lost money, and cried very
much when she told me about it; and
the white curtains were stiff
and smoky and grimy; and the passage
smelt of cookery; but what We're all
these minor details when weighed
| against a principle?
| / did not quite like to actually en-
gage the rooms. Some Of the timid
dependence on other peoples sanction
still chung to me. l said l would let
her know.
! When 1 returned home 1 found that
absence, and had had a long interview
with my father. 1 do not know what
they had said; but when I came home
father met me quite cheerfully, and
even looked a little amused.
well, May" he said have you
! found comfortable quarters?"
Not luxurious" [ admitted. "be-
cause, you see, 1 have only a hundred
] Of },aI
require it all for my dress; and so that
leaves very little over"
1T does indeed" father agreed. Next
to none, L should say. And are you
not going any longer to honor me by
| drawing your allowance"
| There was a touch of laughter in my
| fathers voice that stiffened me into in
| slant dignity.
| I have some sense of rectitude" I
said. Il shall live entirely on what is
| strictly my own. Please don't think
1 blame you, papa, or feel that you have
| ever been consciously unkind to me.
| On the contrary, 1 see. looking back,
| that, according, to your lights. you
have been a most indulgent parent"
! Thank you. my dear" said my
father meel1ly, and may I come and
| see you IN your lodgings.
"Oh, yes, papa"
and l shall be glad to bring you
news of the world you will have left
behind"
Left behind?"
'Yes-of all your friends, and Of what
| is going en-"
! l looked puzzled.
| Because you may feel yourself a lit
| tie shut out, you see" continued father.
"Oh, I don't think sol" L replied
| cheerfully