The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-12-13
cuAprER xXIV.

CHAPIEh AhIfs
I. Olivia Foster, take up the thread Oh
the story-the woful, weary narrative OF
my wanderings after leaving my lsiahu
friends.
Once more | found myself in London
had more acquaintance with almost eV-
cry great city on the Continent. rortu
nately, Tardif had given me the auuless
of a boarding house, or rather a smal
family hotel, where he had stayed TWO
or three times, and drove there at once.
| went to several governess agencies,
which were advertising for teachers ~
the daily papers. When fortnight hau
passed with no opening for me, l Ieit
1T necessary to leave the boarding mouse
which had been my temporary nome
Wandering about the least fashionaple
suburbs, where lodgings would cost least,
| found a bedroom in the third story OF
house in tolerably respectable street.
In this feYerish 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! was as fond of companion
ship, and needed love as much as any
girl. Was it strange that my thoughts
dweIt somewhat dangerously upon the
pleasant, peaceful days in Sarkf
Now and then, when | yentured out
into the streets, panic would seize me,
a dread unutterably great, that | might
meet my husband amidst the crowd.
did not even know that he was in Lon
don; he had always spoken of it as
place he detested. His habits made the
free, unconventional life upon the Con-
tinent more agreeable to him. How ne
was living now, what he was dolhg'
where he was, were SO many enigmas 10
me; and did not care to run any FISK
in finding out the answers to them twice
| passed the Bank Of Australia, where
very probably | 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, | 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 NOc-
tober received a note from him, deslr-
ing me to call at the Office at two y clock
the following afternoon, without fall
had A long time to wait. The office clock
pointed to half-past three before caught
the clerks eye, and saw him beckon me
up to the counter. | had thrown DaeK
my veil, for here | was perfectly safe
from recognition. At the other end OF
the counter stood young man in con-
Al al 10
nesty at me, but | 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 II !
had some right to it.
"Yes," | answered.
"Would you object to go into French
school as governessp he inquired.
mot in the least" | said eagerly.
''And pay small premium?" he add
ed.
"How much?'' asked, my spirits fall
ing again.
"a mere tritle," he said; "about ten
pounds or SO for twelve months. You
would perfect yourself in French. you
know; and you would gain referee fol
the future"
Il must think about it," replied.
"Wel, there is the address Of lady
who can give you all the particulars" he
said, handing me a written paper.
| left the office heavy hearted. Tel
pounds would be more than the halI OF
the little store left TO me- let Woulu Il
not be wiser to secure reluge ana snei
~ 1T -. II
ter for twelve months than run the rlss
Of not finding any other sitnation'
walked slowly along the street towards
the buster thoroughfares, with my heat
bent down and my MIND busy When sud
denly heavy hand was laid upon my
arm, grasping 1t with crushing force, ant
harsh, thick voice shouted triumphant
ly in my ear:
I've caught you at last!
1t was like the bitterness OF death, ina
chill and terror sweeping over me, Nj!
husbands hot breath was upon my cheek
and his eyes were looking closely int
mine. But before | could speak his grasl
was torn away from me, and he wa
sent whirling into the middle of tn
road. turned, almost in equal terror, 4
see who had thrust himself between us
1t was a stranger whom | had notice,
In the agency office. But his face wa
now dark with passion, and as my hus
band staggered back again towards us
his hand was ready to thrust him ava,
a second time.
''She's my wife," he stammered, tryin
n get mast the stranger to me. BY thi
time knot of spectators had forme
ahout us. and n policeman had come III
The stranger drew my arm through his
and faced them defiantly.
Hes drunken yarabondr' he said
oba has inst come ont of those spiri
vaults This Young lady is no more hi
,r;fa tbsn sbe is mine and I know n
u,nra of her than that she has inst com
a,,,ay fron, RidIev's Office wbara sho ba
hoon iaoting after a sitnation Coo
pa1onsI cannot a ladv wall tbro,sh ~
ntnaots 90 Ion5on without hein, insrl,
od ~, drnnLon sconndrsl like tbat9"
"Wn Won give him in charge sirg
- ~ ,,i;oo,,,a, v.buo p;oha,a r.,