Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-06-12
CHAPTER XVIII.

l ilSll, Ecue DtlltNtu tDdL All IL AN'oS
hold were wrapped in slumber. A lamp
burned on her toilet table. Her long hair
was brushed and bound up for the night.
She wore a long, loose white dressing
gown mad of thin material.
The girl walked slowly up and dow
the large room, her hands clasped before
her, her eyes cast on the ground, as II
they read a sad story in the richly pat
termed carpet. Her face was pale, but
her eyes shone like stars.
II shall nave to make up ny mind at
last" she said slowly to herself, aloud.
Il must escape from this house. ! ought
not to give my heart to a teacher of Ian
guagcs. Have I a heart? Sometimes l
think the cruelty. Of those around me has
crushed it out OF existence. Love Why
should ! love anybody? How do l know
that there is any real love in the world!
All! | do not believe it. | an an helress,
AT least, even If they make the boy the
heir, l shall have enough to make the
fortune of a poor professor. No; unless
| am assured of his love; besides, it is
such folly-such nonsense to be in love.
| am not-no; l am not
Ella spoke to herself quite ~vehenently,
quite loudly. This proud, impetuous ma
ture hated to own n curb. 1t had been
frozen and hardened by unkindness, until
it had become in danger of losing it's faith
in humanity.
Ella stamped her slippered foot upon
the carpet.
Il will go away and make my own for
tune"
Suddenly the door of her room burst
open. Ella had locked it, and, knowing
this-for the key lay on her toilet table
she uttered n cry of fear. She expected
to see a ruffian enter. She thought of
her jewel case, in which were rubies, anne
thysts and emeralds, though the Wycherly
were always in the possession of
her mother. But it was no rutiian who
entered Ella's chamber. 1t was Mrs.
Wycherly, pale, with compressed lips.
The lady wore n dark travelling suit of
cotton materlal-for the weather was
warm-a small, dark bonnet. She was
and booted, and equipped for a
journey.
Mamma !! Oh how you frightened me!
1 had locked the doorI'
II have a key which opens all the doors
in the house. Why do you scream? 1t is
bred to scream. l do not think you
ever heard me scream in your life"
NO, mamma" E
3 silent now, and dress yourself as
as possible in that braided holland
that was made for. you to go
to the shore last year. 1t is in that
wardrobe. You rave the keys. Lace
up our boots. Miss Worthington will
come in presently and pack YOU things
into that leather trunk. Marsh and
will accompany u.s."
Where are we going, mammal"
Ask no questions. The time has
for prompt obedience. No; leave
jewels. You have done with them"
"Mamma-'
Pray don't talk every moment is of
We must be far from here before
daylight"
Mrs. Wycherly did not look at her
daughter. Her eyes were liked on the
gold and white of the wall opposite. Ella
before her mother beseechingly.
Mamma, are you going to take me to
[taly-to that house Of bondage?"
ITO that house, where your days will
De devoted to Heaven, not to the world.
are to wear sackcloth-to walk bare
expiate In your fresh young life
hat which has zone before"
Mamma, I know more than you think
[ do"
Ella drew herself up.
Il refuse to expiate by my sufferings
he crime of another. 1t cannot be done
lit is INDUSTRIOUS! Any priest of my
reed would tell you so. Besides, a sac
'ifice should be voluntary, or it loses all
IS value. l am young, and love the
of life. I hate dullness, monot-
my. repression! You and Miss Worth
ngton have made me hate 1t; and now l
m to enter an unheard-of sisterhood,
With a number of fanatic and ignorant
fomen-dissenters from every known
reed under the sum am to acknowl-
dye Miss Worthington as my supreme.
will NOT"
Then chains and the lash must force
bedience," said Mrs. Wycherly, with that
old severity which appalled, most persons.
l planned this life for you when you
" in tho cradle; and, since no clergy
AN Of any creed would sanction my re-
,lve, I have founded a creed Of my own"
Mamma, are you mad?"
NO." the lady answered, with a dreary
nile; though what 1 have endured
light easily have driven me so. But
hurry dress yourself. Miss Worth
lgson will pack. Here she comes"
And Miss Worthington entered Elias
,om. dressed in the same fashion as Mrs.
'ycherly.
For a moment Ella hesitated. During
lie last six months she had made UP her
ind firmly never to enter the terrible
,ison house prepared for her by her
other. She had made many appeals to
lis ~implacable parent. She had spoken
her father; but the wooden colonel
ID always laughed off her entreaties.
MY dear, you are a girl had you been
boy, I would have had the rule over
ou; but, being a girl, you must obey
our mother"
Colonel Wycherly had always seemed
lie coolest, the most stupid of men. New
:, in all Elias childhood, could she rec
Llect his once taking her on his knee or
,ressing her.
The girl had really made up her mind
, flee long before the time which her
,other had warned would be that chosen
Or taking her to Italy; but now they
ad come to ner in strong force, in the
cad of night, and they commanded her
, pack n dress md accompany them on
his dread journay.
SHOULD she scream and shout, and
ouse the house, appeal to Lionel Leigh
DR.. Dundas. and throw herself upon
heir projections? No. pride forbade.
II win dress and pack" said Ella to
erself ;'and then, during the journey,
{ VIII be easy for me to eScaue."