The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1904-03-19
= CHAPTER xxxiv. :
A Haven Of Refuge.

~ raven OF refuge.
No further word was spoken be-
tween Avice and her former maid I'm.
til they reached the outer door, when
Marie handed her a hat and wrap and
made her quickly assume them.
At the corner of the street Cab
stood in waiting. Marie gave the word
OF command to the coachman, then
took her seat beside the trembling
girl.
Have no fear" she said, reassur-
ingly, II take you to your friends
ALAS, have no friends" Avice re-
piled, and sank back, respondent.
The carriage stopped before large
and elegant house. There was about
it to Avice a familiar air, but she
could remember little Marie threw a
veil over her features.
Come with me-" she said, and in a
few minutes they were admitted into
the house.
Florence St. John sat alone in her
dressing room, when shadow dark
ened the Threshold She glanced quick
ly up, but started with joy as she rec
ognized the red hair and familiar spec
tacles of Avice's maid-Marie having
again assumed her former disguise.
But to Miss St. Johns amazement the
maid, drawing near, quietly removed
%h1 rrlo kh,,c
rather pretty face, though robbed.
seemingly, of ten years of it's exist
ence. What did this masquerading
mean?"
"You bring me news of Miss Mere
dith?" she cried excitedly.
Marie bowed in acquiescence
''Oh, tell me, is she safe and we'll"
eyes, mademoiselle, both safe and
well, so far as safety to the body, but
she has been very i'll, and her mind
has not yet regained it's balance
Where is she? Take me to her!"
may, mademoiselle, I have brought
her to you.'
But at that moment white face, so
worn, SO changed, that Florence could
scarcely recognize it, glanced in at the
open door, and piteous voice said:
Have you, too, cast me OFF,"
Then she opened wide her arms, and
Avice fell sobbing into their embrace
When she turned to look for the
woman Marie had gone. No trace of
the maid remained. but Avice was
with her, living presence-Avice,
who had come to her first in her
dream, but now in very truth-Avice
yet not Avice. What must the girl
have suffered to have brought about
this fearful change?
"Avice, my darling" she said, gen
tly, where have you been? Oh, we
have had such cruel search for you!"
where have I been" Avice an.
9wered, YEARLY. II do not know And
you have searched for me? Oh, Flor
ence, they told me you had cast me
off forever!"
Cast ysl off! Who told you? What
do you mean?"
II do not know" Avice again an
swered. II know nothing. Florence
have been mad. Do you think am 90
still?"
mo. my darling-a thousand times
no! You are back with us once more
You will have rest and quiet and all
will be well. I will send for Travis
and Milton to come to lis at once"
mo, no." the girl CLING to her in an
agony Of terror. "Travis if you will,
If you must-he was, l remember, to
ton. 1t was be who wrote me that
cruel letter. l have it yet here" point
ing to her heart. Il never want to see
him again. Promise me that you will
not send for him."
II promise you, dear, anything: but
what letter do you speak Of? show II
to me-"
Avice shook her head
ut was the truth" she said, sadly.
''But l would not have held him to his
promise. He might have trusted me- -
UnconsciOusly she used the very
words he had employed in reference
to her, in his interview with Barbara
Florence rose and, crossing TO her
writing table, penned few hasty
lines, which she addressed 10 Travis
Meredith, then ringing the bell she
dispatched them hastily by her serv.
ant
Avice had sunk back, pale and list
less, upon the couch.
Trembling with excitement, Miss St
John awaited the return OF her mes
senger.
An hour passed slowly away Avice
had fallen into dreamless sleep; the
long lashes lay on the marble cheeks
sigh now and then fluttcred from he
tween the parted lips, but the bloom
and brightness had fed from the young
and exquisitely lovely face.
Would they ever return to it? Was
there happiness in the wide world
= Florence asked herself. remembering
how short while ago both she ant
[. Avice were butterflies dancing in The
sunshine Of to-day, ignoring the exist
ence of the storm of tomorrow, unit