Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-07-04

lOuI.
Violet had decided on going tc
London, not knowing where else to go
Mrs. Imam looked much aston
ished when Violet stood before her.
do not be alarmed" she said. 81
wish l had more time that l nigh,
speak more fully to you"
Mrs. Ingram reused herself and
looked into the lovely colorless face
"I hope l shall not startle you,
pursued Violet; and there was a ring
Of impotence in her voice. 81 am
sorry to tell GU that l am obliged to
leave Queens Elm today. I am
afraid it will be a great inconvenience
but I am compelled to CO."
"It is very sudden, very unexpected
my dear" said the stately, gentle old
lady, 'but of course, if you cannot
help it"
Il cannot, I cannot" cried Violet.
Il am in great trouble-I must co."
II have known it ever since you
went with me to my husbands grave, ,
said Mrs. Ingram, quietly. "Only tell
me how, and I will do all I can to help
you"
"You are very good" returned
Violet; ''but you could not do anything
for me. I am sorry to leave you: you
have been very kind to me-"
Go then, my dear. Do not be
anxious about me. I shall find some
one to take your place. I ar sorry
you are going, you are a great
favorite Of mine, and shall miss you
very much; but if it is urgent that you
should go, will make no effort to de-
tain you. When are you going?"
Il want to catch the four o'clock
express to London" replied Violet.
Then you have but little time to
spare" said Mrs. Ingram. "You must
have something to cat before you
start. Shall you come back to me?"
Violet fell upon her knees by the
old lady's side, and took the thin,
Withered hand in hers.
Il am sorry to seem ungrateful and
unkind," she said.
mo; I shall never come back. J
am in great trouble, and l do not see
the end of it. l grieve to leave you
in this fashion, but I cannot help it,"
I always thought from your face
that you had story" remarked the
old lady. II knew it when you were
with me at my husbands grave"
Before they parted, Mrs. Ingram
made Volt promise that she would
not forget her, that she would come
back to see her at some time or other.
L have had many companions" she
said, 'since my daughter, my bonny
Jean, died, but none that have liked
SO well as you"
Al hour afterward Violet found her
self in the express, speeding as fast
as steam could take her to London.
She had not thought yet what she
should do when she reached there:
her only idea had been to hasten away
from Queens Elm. AS the train sped
rapidly onward through the fast
falling shades of evening, her mind
grew calmer, and once more she was
able to think
AVA % Col obOIC "o0 IuS UGSJ 1T10Qu
she had in the world. She had
thought once of appealing to her aunt
IN her distress; but she knew that
that good lady would say things of her
husband that she herself could not
and would not tolerate. She liked
Miss Mari; but in this case it was
impossible to make her her confidante
So she made up her mind that she
would send for Mrs. Carstone, and tell
her all, and hear what her advice was
She would abide by it, let it be what
it might. \. hen she reached London,
she took a cab to the Great Northern
Hotel, and from there she telegraphed
to Mrs. Carstone, asking her if she
would come to see her there at once
The answer to her telegram soon
arrived, telling her that Mrs. Carstone
would be with her in the morning
After that Violet slept well, her mind
being at rest. Mrs. Carstone was not
a particularly clever woman; but she
had good judgment and kindly
heart. Some way out of the difficulty
would present itself to her.