The San Francisco call., 1904-08-07
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER IL
She was alone, utterly alone. OF all
those thousands who went hurrying
eastward, westward. Of all the toilers.
al the idlers, what was her trouble to
any one? Esther. indeed. believed that
this was the end Of il all. the end Of
those harassiag years OF neglect and
slavery, in her fathers house: of the
strife, the hope, the ambition which
had carried her 90 London to seek her
fortune. She had but 4 few shillings
left in all the world. Until the rent of
her dismal garnet was paid. she had no
right even 70 The daily bread OF which
her need was so great. She was with
cut friends OF even acquaintances Of
whom she might crave the most tri-
fling hospitality. Three months ago
she had come 10 London believing that
there, at least. some simple employ
nent would be open TO a cultured girl.
Her mothers death In the winter of
the year severed the last tie which
bound her 10 the cathedral city. An
unsympathetic stepfather whose pow
erty and sloth had made her home in
tolerable. permitted her to go 10 Lon
don without scruple or doubt Even at
the bitterest moment Of failure, pride
forbade her TO renew that servitude.
As she had sown, so would she reap.
IN London she had suffered; if need be
in London she would end her suffering.
She walked along the Strand, west
ward. toward Charing Cross and the
parks The heat was almost tropical;
the dust choking. She envied those
who could afford the luxury OF
q penny bus. The meanest res
tsurant. with its poor display, Of
fered 10 her eyes the menu for
q king. She had never known what
hunger was before: but to-day the
word had a new meaning for her. She
was afraid 70 look in the confectioners'
shops; afraid TO linger near the eating
houses lest she should be tempted TO
draw upon that little store, and to find
herself without a roof when night
came. Every step cost her an effort.
She was compelled to stand motionless.
even 10 rest against a befriending door
lest she should reel and fall upon the
pavement. In St. James Park she sat
al last by the waters edge and uttered
low cry which was wrung from her
very heart.
What shall dc? Dear God, what
shall ] do?''
- Mouton, faithful dog, pressed close to
his mistress like one who knew her
trouble, and for many minutes she sat
with his face held close to her own,
and all consciousness gone of that
seething world wherein she had failed
50 supremely. Scarcely voice Of Lon
dOn's life spoke 10 her in the parks.
The whiring seagulls circled about her
vainly; boat drifted by with laughing
passengers: there were idlers upon the
iron bridge: but she believed herself to
be far away from the city. in the sunny
lanes Of Devon. where her childhood
had known its only pleasures How
many years had passed since sle was
chiidl What dark hours she had
lived How little sunshine lad there
been in al those days of poverty and
struggle. And now it must end in this,
Esther looked 1T the water. and be-
Nevcd that she could sleep. She nestled
closer to Mouton as though for protcc-
uon. Yes. il would be good to sleep. TO
rest, to dream. as she had dreamed in
the days Of long ago. a sense Of final
surrender OveTpowcrsd her; she could
do nothing mole. she thought II this
were destiny. - let Il oe. She had
done her best.
der ard she started up like one sur
prisec in guilty act. The green park,
the shrubs, the water. the trees, they
took shape again as though at some
magic touch: and beyond them she be-
held the spires and roofs Of London.
Quite long while passed. however be-
fore she could collect her wandering
thoughts; and then. for the first time.
she became aware that a stranger was
standing az her side and waited 10
speak TO her. Esther looked at the
man QuestiOninEly. Something in his
manner invited her confidence, and she
did not turn away. He was exceeding
~ well-dressed; his clothes were fault
less; but il was the face OF the man
which attracted her, not as one is at
tracted By mere good locks, but by the
consciousness Of force and will Esther
had never seen a pair Of eyes which
could al once express so much kindness
or so quickly win her trust She was
not afraid, not in any way alarmed
The musical voice was a pleasure to
h.
Accept my most humble pardon for
this intrusion, Miss Venn."
She startc5 when she heard her own
name. and put her hand upon Mouton's
collar.
i Go not know you. sir" she said.
But you are about to, ! hope. My
name is Doctor Xavier l have taken
the liberty 10 follow you from the thea
ter"
She I'D not know what to say. was
confused. and not little embarrassed.
The stranger, again apologizing, seated
himself upon the bench and began to
speak quickly.
Il have followed you from the thea
Ter because ] believe that I can heIo
you" lie said. Forgive me, 1 was in
the room during your interview with
Otto Hemining. I heard you sing-a
very pretty voice. Miss Venn; but it
must be trained. I heard you say that
you desire an engagement in the thea
Ter. Allow me 10 say that you are not
fitte5 for that. you are TOO sensitive