Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-05-24
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CHAPTER 7.

Nrs Hephzibah Horton has just come
i, from weary trudge through the mud
ID the grease of the city on foggy No
,on,ber afternoon: from standing in dingy
nfices until pert clerks shall have thought
s, N deliver her messages to their mas
Tors. from fighting her way into Omni-
hrsas over a chevaux de frise Of damp
umbrellas and dirty petticoats, and she
thinks she has earned the right to make
herself comfortable.
Miss Hephzibah Horton is her legal de-
oomination, for no man has persuaded her
TO enter into bondage TO his will; but she
,tands out for the Mistress" before her
name on the plea that no woman has a
better right TO bear it than she who has
never been q slave. And since she has
turned the corner of the forties, nobody
dreams of disputing her right to do as she
thinks best in the matter.
From little beginnings she has risen to
solid. if not great ends; and now, at the
age when most women, If not married,
have become soured through disappoint-
uent Mrs. Hephzibah's days are employ
ed in continuous round of duty, which
leaves her no time for discomfort. Shs
does not realize large sums for her work.
She is not a fashionable novelist, able to
command a thousand dollars for a thou
sand pages Of bad grammar and worse
taste; she is obliged to be as careful of
her diction as of her subject, for she
writes chiefly for the press, and there are
too many competitors entered for that
race not to render it necessary to keep
ones eye fixed upon the winning post.
A low tapping has been going on at the
door; but it is some time before she NO
tees it.
Come in" she calls out rather impa-
tently adding: If it's the boy from the
Aurora office, Sarah, just tell him that the
sopy is not ready, and it won't be ready
till tomorrow morning, so it is OF no use
waiting. I'll send it by the first post"
Its not Sarah, Mrs. Horton; it's me-"
replies the low voice of somebody who
aas partially opened the sitting room door.
Della Moray, whatever brings you
round here on such a night as this?'
Il wanted 10 see you, to speak to you,"
says the stranger, in hesitating manner.
Besides, il is on my way to the theater."
Now you must take off your things
and have some tea with me. 1t will warm
you before your walk to the theater. How
cold your hands are. Come nearer to the
ere. Why, my dearLmy dear!-what's
this"
For Della Moray has sunk on a foot
stool at Mrs. Hephzibah's feet, and, lay
ng her head upon her lap, commenced to
sob bitterly.
"Oh! Mrs Horton, am very, very mis-
trable'
All the hardness fades out Of the elder
wOman's face as she lays her hand upon
her friends head, and pats it soothingly.
I'm sorry to hear it, Della Moray, but
could have told you as much long ago.
What else can you expect, when you put
yourself in the power of man? Don't
sou know that their tender mercies last
Just rs long as their admiration of you,
and that a wOrn-out woman is much the
same to them as n worn-out suit of
clothes-ony tit to be chucked away?'
Il was 50 young." pleads Della. II
knew so little Of the world. l never
thought it would come to this"
so every poor fool says, who has made
trial of them"
But | feel as if couldn't stand it any
longer. | wouldn't mind his cruelty to
myself, Mrs. Horton, 1 could bear that
but it is the child"
What of the child? How can he harm
himT
He uses him as a tool to extract my
submission, and if / rebel in the least
thing he makes my poor Willie suffer for
it. | can hardly describe to you the pass
things have come to. He is hardly ever
sober. night or day. l have worked to
supply him and the child with the neces-
saries Of life; but he takes every penny
earn for drink, and when 1 demonstrate
with him, and show him that Willie has
aot sufficient food or clothes, he insults
and il-uses me. Last night he threatened
10 turn me out Of doors. Look at my
arms" she eXclaims suddenly, as she
pushes up the sleeve of her thin alpaca
dress. aud shows the angry red and blue
marks Of fresh bruise.
She Is pretty woman, Of fve-and-
twenty. this Della Moray, or she would
De pretty if she were not so thin and
worn. Her Irish breeding is evinced by
her blue Orbs. black hair and rose-leaf
complexion; but all trace Of the national
archneSs and espeglerie has deserted her
eountenaucc. Her sorrowful eyes are
surrounded 10y dark rims-the effect of
constant weeping-and there is a sad
uroopng about her pretty, quivering
mouth let the inherent fire of her race
OILY sleeping in her. 1t has nearly been
eAunguIshed by il-usage, but the embers
sm"!der still, and only need a helping
uand to fan them into flame.
And lha, scOundrel can make a beast
'l himself upon your hard-earned wages,
ana then treat you like that" says Mrs.
hephzlhah. meditatively. Now, be frank
WIN me, and tell me the whole truth.
nave You ever given him reason to be
Jealous Of youE"
Never
Nhat made you marry this man?' de-
mus Mrs. Hephzibah abruptly, as the
slsht meal is concluded.
neha Moray looks up with a startled.
Hldh you hear my question? l don't
an aSA II without purpose. want to learn
~ !pn can tell me about your former
Ierhaps may be able to help you.
now can you help me?"
NtSer mind! Wen talk Of that by and
". ", le.i me now about your marriage.
mere .n,, did you meet Mr.. Moray?"
:. iHes away from here, at little town
III scotland where l was playing"
..m, vas he on the stage as well?"
vi, no. lie was a clerk in a bank, or
oNIe mouse of business in Glasgow; but
-e got INTO trouble. and had to leave"
,o ne was Kicked out, you mean! Did
NC embezzle money!
a, am afraid SO; but he never told me
we r ehtre story, and did not think it OF
taoe en consequence then. l was only six
., James saw me first upon the stage
,tureenock, and when he proposed to me
n uIG,ught 1t grand thing to be married
th.. i4. 1 had no parents or relations
f. 1 knew Of, and his people were
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