Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-12-12
CHAPTER Z\IV.


l, Olivia Foster, take up the thread OF
the story-the woful, weary narrative OF
my wanderinss after leaving my island
friends.
Once more found myself in London.
l had more acquaintance with almost ev-
cry great city ON the Continent. Fortu-
nately. Tar,lif had given me the address
Of boarding house, or rather small
family hotel, where he had stayed two
or three times, and drove there ut once.
l went to several governess agencies
which were advertising for teachers IN
the daily papers. When fortnight mad
passed with no opening for me, l 1elt
it necessary to leave the boarding mouse
which had been my temporary home
Wandering about the least fashionable
suburbs. where lodgings would cost least.
l found bedroom in the third story of Il
house in tolerably respectable street.
In this feverish solitude one day drag
ged itself after another with awful mo-
notony. AS they passed by, the only
change they brought was that the sultry
heat grew ever cooler, and the long days
shorter. Think what dreary life for
young girl. l was as fond of companion
ship, and needed love as much as any
girl. Was it strange that my thoughts
dwelt somewhat dangerously upon the
pleasant, peaceful days in Sark!
Now and then, when ventured out
into the streets, panic would seize me-,
dread unuttcrably great, that l might
meet my husband amidst the crowd.
did not even know that he was in Lon
don; he had always spoken Of it as Il
place he detested. His habits made the
free, unconventional life upon the Con-
tinent more agreeable to him. How he
was living now, what he was doing.
where he was, were SO many enlgmas 70
me; and | did not care to run any FISK
in finding out the answers to them. Twice
l passed the Bank Of Australia, where
very probably l could have learned II
he was in the same city as myself; but
dared not do it, and as soon as l knew
how to avoid that street, l never passed
along it.
had been allowed to leave my address
with the clerk Of a large general agency
In the city. Towards the close OF o.
tober l received note from him, deslr-
ing me to call at the office at two o'clock
the following afternoon, without fail.
had long time to wait. The office clock
pointed to half-past three before caught
the clerks eye, and saw him beckOn me
I'D to the counter. l had thrown back
my veil, for here l was perfectly safe
from recognition. At the other end OF
the counter stood young man In con-
sultation with u clerk. He looked ear
nestly ut me, but l was sure he could
not know me.
Miss Ellen Martineau?" said the clerk.
That was my mothers name, and had
adopted it for my own, feeling as IT
had some right to it.
YES" / answered.
"Would you object to go into French
school rs govcrness?" he inquired.
mot in the least" l said eagerly.
"And pay small Premium he add
How much?" l asked, my spirits fall
ing again.
"A mere triile," he said; "about ten
pounds or so for twelve months. You
would perfect yourself in French. you
know; and YOU would gain referee for
the future
Il must think about it, replied.
'Wcll, there Is the address Of a lady
who can give you all the particulars" he
said, handing me written paper.
left the office heavy hearted. Ten
pounds would be more than the half of
the little store left to me. Yet, would it
not be wiser to secure refuge and shell
ter for twelve months than run the risk
Of not finding any other situation!
walked slowly along the street towards
the buster thoroughfares. with my head
bent down and my mind busy, when sud-
denly a heavy hand was laid upon my
arm, grasping it with crushing force, and
q harsh, thick voice shouted triumphant
ly in my ear:
1--WE caught you at last""
1t was like the bitterness of death, that
chill and terror sweeping over me. My
husbands hot breath was upon my cheek,
and his eyes were looking closely into
mine. But before could speak his grasp
was torn away from me. and he was
sent whirling into the middle of the
road. l turned. almost in equal terror. to
see who had thrust himself between us.
1t was stranger whom | had noticed
in the agency office. But his face was
now dark with passion, and as my hus-
band staggered back again towards us,
his hand was ready to thrust him away
a second time.
"She's my wife," he stammered, trying
to get past the stranger to me. BY this |
time knot of spectators had formed
about us, and Il policeman had come up |
The stranger drew my arm through his. |
and faced them dehantly.
Hes drunken vagabond" he said
che has just come out OF those spirit |
vaults. This young lady is no more his
wife than she is mine, AMI | know no
more Of her than that she has just come
away from Ridley's office, where she has
been looking after situation. Goo
heavens. cannot lady walk through the
streets OF London without being insult
ed by drunken scounlrel like that!'
Twill you give him in charge. sir:"
asked the policeman, while Richard Fos-
ter was making vain efforts to speak co.
herently. and explain his claim upon me.
chung to the friendly arm that had come
o my aid. sick and almost speeches. with
fear.
Don't" whispered; "oh. take me
away quickly"
He cleared a passage for us both with
a vigor and decision that there was no re-
sisting. glanced back for an instant.
md saw my husband struggling with the
policeman. He looked utterly I'M Ike a