The Taney County republican., 1905-05-18
A Family Affair
~ HUGH CONWAY.

CHAPTER .XNkIlI.-CONTlNUE
II speaks volumes for the iron
strength Of her will, insomuch that 1t
struggled with and overcame, not only
the woman's physical fatigue, but also
the craving for one glimpse Of Beat
rice which chained her to the spot. She
tore herself away, and without once
looking back, forced her tired limbs to
bear her to q considerable distance.
Here she found a quiet doorstep on
which she sat unmolested, sat and
fought against her exhaustion, until
such time as she would be able to pro-
cure food.
It was not long before, little by lit
tie, unit by unit, the city began to
awake. Here and there the shutters
went down from shop, and at last the
weary woman saw all but facing her q
bakers window. She entered the shop.
bought some bread. and begged q glass
OF water. Not for her own sake, but
for the sake of another, she was called
upon to eat and drink. ~
She ate her bread, and then some
what strengthened, again began her
pilgrimage. She crept through the
streets until she reached the railway
station. Here she ascertained at what
time the next train for the west should
start.
She had a long time to wait She
hid herself in one corner Of the wait
ing room, and sat like statue. But
her brain was burning, and her pulse
throbbing. A strange sound, fierce
rushing sound, was ever In her ears;
great wheels seemed turning and turn.
ing in her head; and II for a moment
she dared to close her hot and weary
eyes, she saw through the darkness a
light, fierce light, red like blood, and
drawing nearer and nearer.
But in spite of all this she was able
to take her seat In the train, able to
exult that she had found the strength
to bear her so far; able to pray that
her strength might last until she on 3,
more stood in London. Then, all would
be safe. No matter what became Of
her then. The work was finished,
what did the future Of the, tool matter? ?
The train left Munich, and as It
steamed out Of the magnificent station,
the woman yelled her face With her
black shawl. In spite of her convic.
aion that she had but executed pre-.
ordained task, she dared not look upon
the spot where she had knelt IN the
previous night. Miles and miles passed
before she removed the somber cover.
ing from her white worm face AS the
train hurried on the wheels within her
brain whirled faster and faster, the
rushing sound grew stronger. and the
fierce red light shone reddsr, fercer
aud nearer.
Save for such inquiries as the exi
geucy Of the journey forced her Ia
make, and such speech as was neccs
sary to procure the food and drink
which nature absolutely demanded, the
woman spoke no word during that long
Journey back. Except that now and
again she pressed them to her brow, In
vain endeavor to stop the wheel:
which whirled In her brain, her THU
hands we're forever clasped beneath heI
dark shawl. She sat and stared into
vacancy. How could she close her eyes
when doing so at once brought the red
light before them?
For all she know that journey might
have lasted months or years. Periods
Of time meant nothing to her now
Eternity, not Time. lay before her.
The long journey by land, the short
er journey by sea, passed like pro
tracted yet incoherent dream. All sh,
knew or cared to know was that sh,
was speeding on to London. At las
The sound Of English voices, the sigh
Of English faces, told her that she hac
reached the last stage OF her journey
Then she reused herself aud made mel
hnal preparations.
She searched her pocket. and tori
into small bits every piece OF paper d
contained, SO that no written woit
could be left to give clew to he
identity. Last OF all she drew from ar
envelope a photograph of Beatrice
She gazed at 1t long and passionately
and then with deep sigh tore 1
across and across, and threw the piecei
10 the winds. She dared not even keel
this poor relic of her darling.
London at last! Sarah Miller step
ped. from the train, and once NOR,
stood,on the platform which she has
quilted rather more than three day,
before. 1t was now past three oclocl
In the morning. Whittier should sh,
turn? She stood hesitating and be
wildered.
There was one thing more which oh,