The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-05-23
iii !

| seven. This was the last breakfast for
which the girls had paid. They were
the first to sit down, because they
wished to avoid questions.
"This is the last breakfast paid for,
Katharine" said Lily. Let US eat as
much as we possibly can. When shall
we get another Breakfast, and whereT
Katharine drank the tea, but W.
fortunately could eat nothing.
"You are taking a mean advantage,
Katharine" said her friend. You
know you are not half so strong as l
am, and yet you are taking three hours
start in the starving race Put some
thing in your pocket. Never mind the
rules. You must and shall"
She cut off half a dozen great crusts
of bread and cramped them into her
bag, the little handbag that carried
absolutely all the possessions of the
two girls. Their watches, their ward
robe, even Katharine's engagement
ring, everything was gone except the
clothes they stood in. Never was wreck
more complete. Never had Misfortune
made q cleaner sweep Of everything.
Friends. work, wardrobe, money-what
more could she take? In a warmer
climate she would have torn the clothes
off their backs, but in Great Britain
this is not allowed to Misfortune, who
leaves grudgingly their clothes upon
the backs even Of the shirt and match
makers. One thing more was lett to
Misfortune. She could separate the
two girls. You shall see presently that
she even accomplished that
"Now," said Lily, 1--WE have eaten
our breakfast-at least 1 have. Let US
90 at once before the Matron comes
down, and while there is nobody to ask
questions. Come, Katharine, we have
left nothing upstairs. Come"
Now that the supreme moment a
arrived, when there was no longer any
room for hope, Lily assumed a defiant
air. .
"Come, let US hurry along, Kathar-
ine," for she fingered and trembled.
Come, I say. 1t wi not help us to
wait-and cry. We have done our best;
we have prayed and there has been no
answer. Let US 60 out nov and starve.
Come, dear Katharine-oh! my dear
it will not help to cry. Let us go out
and find a place where we can sit down
and wait"
It was eight o'clock. When the door
closed behind them, Katharine sunk
down upon the doorstep and broke into
sobs and moaning.
ooh. Tom-Tom" she cried. How
can you be happy in heaven While l
am so miserable here? If I am to join
you, ask them to kill me quickly"
They'll do that" said Lily, grimly'
Come"
She put her hand in Katharine's arm
and dragged her away.
Five minutes later Miss Beatrice
came down stairs, her face full OF
sweetness and satisfaction, because
she was now going to demonstrate to
these two girls, by means of her COL
lection of fifteen shillings and ten
pence, how faith and patience and
resignation are always rewarded.
But they were gone. One Of the
servants had seen them leave the
house. Upstairs they had left nothing.
: Perhaps they would return in the
evening.
But they did not. The evenings came
and went at Harley House. The girls
came home at night heavy Of eye and
head, tired with their days work;
Miss Augusta played to them; Miss
Beatrice talked to them. For a week
or so they remembered the two who
had sunk under the waters; then they
forgot them. AS for the collection, 1t
was all returned to the donors, and
| only Miss Beatrice remembered the
| girls, and prayed for them that they
might yet be saved.
At nine o'clock Katharine began to
be tired.
care we to walk about all day long,
| Lily?" she asked. "Can we not find
| some place to sit down and rest?'
1--WE will go to the British Museum.
| 1t is quiet there at least"
They did. They went to the room
| where are the great pictures Of Assy-
rian battles.
Here they sat down. The place was
very silent and peaceful. There were
very few visitors so early; the attend
ants with their wands sat about al
ready disposed for the gentle doze
| which helps them through the day.
| Presently Katharine leaned her head
| upon Lily's shoulder and fell fast
| asleep. But Lily slept not. She had
been awake nearly all night. but she
was not disposed for slumber. She
| sat looking at fate with wrathful eyes.
and continually putting the same ques-
| tion-it has been asked by every un-
happy person since the world began
what have we done-what have we
done-that we should suffer so while
the rest of mankind escape"
The morning ~passed-noon came-the
attendant woke up and began to saun-
ter about the rooms with the intention
of getting an appetite for dinner. One
O'Clock struck-Lily sat ~motionless, un'
conscious Of the time-Katharine still
slept beside her. The attendant went
away to his dinner, and returned re-
freshed but languid, and disposed for
another doze. When he awOke at three
the two girls still sat there, one asleep,
and the other bolt-upright. her dark
brow contracted, her black eyes full oil
rage.
1t is not an unusual thing at mu'