Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-02-18
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
That same evening Elizabeth Jane
broached the subject Of leaving his roof
to Hcnchard.
"Fathcr, have you any objection to my
going away" she asked.
"Going away? No--none whatever.
Where are you going?"
She thought Il undesirable and unnec.
essary to say anything at present about
her destination to one who took 80 little
interest In her. He would know that soon
enough. II have heard Of an opportunity
Of getting more cultivated and respect.
full" she answered, with hesitation. "A
chance Of a place In a household where
can earn my living, and have advantages
Of study, and seeing refined life."
'Thcn make the best Of tiff you can't
get respectable where you are"
you don't objcctw
"Object-l? Mono! Not at all."
Henchard had not the slightest suspi.
cion that Elizabeth James movement was
to be prompt. Hence when, just before
six the next evening, he reached home
and saw fly at the door from the Gold.
on Crown. and his stcp.daughter with
oil her little bags and boxes getting into
ue WIS tukeu W NuTVTlSes
But you said might 20, father!" she
explained, through the carriage window.
"Said!-yes. But I thought you meant
next month. or next year. You take time
By the forelock. This, then, IL how you
Be going to treat me for all my trouble
about yer
"Oh, fathcr--how can You speak like
thatl 1t Is unjust Of you! she said with
spirit.
"Look here" he said, In an altered
voice-he never called her by name now
Don't zee 20 away from me. II may
be I've spoke roughly to 'ee--but I've been
grieved beyond everything by ye-there's
something that caused IT,"
by me?" she said. with deep concern.
"What have I doneY'
II can't tell you now. But II you'll
stop. and go on living as my daughter
I'll tell you oil In time"
But the proposal had come ten minutes
too late. She was In the fy--was al.
ready, In imagination, at the house of the
lady whose manner had such charms for
her. "Father," she said, a. considerably
a. she could, II think It best for us that
I 60 on now. I need not stay long;
shall not be far away; and II you want me
badly can soon come back again."
He nodded ever 80 slightly, a. receipt
Of her decision, and no more. "You are
not going far. you soy. What will be
your address. In case wish to write to
your Or am not to know"
"Oh, yes-ccrtainly. It 10 only In the
town-Hish Street Hail."
"Where?" said Henchard. his facial &C.
tivities suspended.
She repeated the words. He neither
moved nor spoke, and waving her hand to
him In utmost fricndlincss, she significd
to the Ayman to drive up the street.
We 90 back for moment to the pre.
ceding night to account for Hencharda
attitude.
He had received, to his amaxement, q
letter by hand In Lucctta's well.known
characters. Tho self.repression, the res.
ignation. Of her previous communication
had vanished from her mood: she wrote
with some Of the natural lightness which
had marked her In their early acquaint.
ance.
High Street Hall.
"My Dear Michael-Don't be surprised
II IL for your good and mine, 90 I hope,
that I have come to live at Casterbridgc-
for how long cannot tell. That depends
upon another; and he ID man and q mer.
chant, and Mayor. and one who has the
Hrst right to my affections.
"LUCETTA."
Henchard had already heard that High
Street Hall was being prepared for 4
tenant. He said with q puxxlcd air "a
the first person he encountered: "Who ID
coming to live at the HallT
"A lady Of the name Of Templeman,
believe. SIR" said his informant.
Henchard thought Il over. "Lucetta ID
governesS or housekeeper there, I SUP.
pose" he said to himself. "Yes, must
put her In her proper position, undoubt.
edly."
1t was BY no means with the oppression
that would once have accompanied the
thought that he regarded the moral ne.
cessity now; It was, indeed, with interest.
II not warmth. His bitter disappointment
at finding Elizabeth Jane to be none Of
his, and himself childless man, had left
an emotional void In Henchard that be
unconsciously craved to oil. In this frame
Of mind, though without strong feeling, hs
strolled up the blind alley and into High
Street Hall by the postern.
He had gone on thence into the court,
and inquired Of man whom he saw un'
packing china from q crate. II Miss La
Sueur was living there. Miss lie Sueur
had been the name under which he had
known and married Lucetta.
The man replied In the negative-that
Miss Templeman only had come. Hench.
ard went away. concluding that Lucetta
had not 40 yet settled In.
He was In this interested stage Of the
inquiry when he witnessed Elisabeth
James departure the next day. On hear.
Ing her announce the address there sud.
denly took possession Of him the strange
thought that Lucetta and Miss Temple.
man were one and the same person, for
he could recall that In her season OF in.
timacy with him the name Of the rich
relative whom he had. deemed somewhat
a mythical parsonage had been given q
Templeman.
CTo b continued.)
His Name Was william.