Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-08-18
CHAPTER NJ.
Alice Finds "a Haven.

Il must strive to be calm" Alice said
to herself. 1T is my sole chance Of
escape from an abyss of degradation,
and of making that fiend in human
shape learn what love can do when
once 1t Is turned into hate. 49,. Hate?
Is there no stronger word to express
the loathing that fills my heart for
Stephen Deane. 49,. How weak. how
terribly weak, feel $500. my head
swims $500. l cannot standi There
is some wine in the next room. 1t will
give me strength
She was, indeed. very weak. and had
TO support herself by the furniture to
reach the wine. 1t was vintage port
Originally provided by Stephen for his
own consumption and the generous
liquor rallied her so that she was en-
abled to dress herself. Then she sum-
moned Mrs. Dobbs.
Gracious me.' exclaimed the land
lady. Dressed for going out. ma'am?
| don't think as how you're quite well
enough to get about to-day; ubt IL /
might advise"
II am compelled to go out" interrupt
ed Alice, with unwonted abruptness of
manner, land must ask you TO send for
a hanson. | have, moreover, to in
form you that l shall give up these
| apartments either this evening or to-
morrow-most probably tomorrow"
'Oh." gasped Mrs. Dobbs, taken
! somewhat aback by this unlooked-for
desertion of her best lodger. Nothing
wrong, | hope, ma'am, with the
rooms?"
Nothing whatever" said Alice. 81
am about to leave solely for private
reasons"
Hadn't you better stay on another
week. suggested Mrs. Dobbs. as
though anxious to save her departing
guests pocket. '"There'n be a weeks
rent. anyhow, you know, instead oil no.
tice.'
Thank you for the suggestion" an
swered Alice, YEARLY, but | am IN
able TO profit by 1t. Oblige me by send
ing for a cab"
II always knowed he was no good!"
burst out the vexed landlady, plainly
indicating by this irrelevant remark.
that she knew something of Mr.. Daw-
sons evildoing. but, If l was you,
I'd think twice afore / gave up the
rooms he took for you as his lawful
WIFE" With which piece Of advice she
hustled out in search Of a cab.
The words cat Alice like the lash of a
whip. Clearly this woman knew, or
more than suspected. the bitter truth:
and from whom could she have learned
1t save from stephen? differences are
not always safe, even where a Sound
rel Is concerned.
The poor girl felt as though food of
any sort would choke her. Neverthe-
less. while waiting for the cab, she
forced herself to eat a few biscuits,
and she drank a little more Of the port
wine. Then she oyerhauled her small
stock of money and valuables. or her
own (what was left of some girlish saw
ings) shc had twelve pounds. Out of
stephens last remittance there re-
manned four five-pound notes. two Of
which she set aside to meet the land
lady's outstanding accounts.
The other two she made into a small
parcel, together with some fairly valu-
able jewelry, which he had given her,
and addressed IL to Stephens Temple
chambers. Ii Is surprising how trivial
n proceeding providing Ii involves act
ioI) will bring solace to the surcharged
female heart. The presence Of that
small parcel in her pocket seemed to
bring her strength and energy for fur
Their effort. 1t seemed to sever the last
link In the chain that bound her to the
hateful past. and to leave her free to
work out what was rapidly becoming
a fixed, though as yet unplanned pur-
pose I'm her brain-revenge.
To the Temple she accordingly drove
first. stephen. she learned. rarely Wis
tied his chambers now. contenting him
self, usually, with calling at the head
porter's lodge for his letters. To this
official she. therefore. intrusted her
package, 10 be delivered at the first OPP
portunity. Then she found herself at
a standstill. 1t was too late for official
business at Somerset House, and she
must postpone her register inquiries
until them following day. So. feeling
an irresistible impulse 10 do some
thing anything rather than nothing
she bade the cabman drive her TO ''The
Green Grapes Little Wardour street,
| Soho.
beg pard'n. miss" said the man,
looking much pcrplexed, 'but are you
sure that's the place you wanty"
sYes,' She replied, in surprise: l