Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-01-16
CHAPTER XI.
A NIGHT OUT.

A NIGHT OUT.
The breakfast at Harley House was
served. to suit the convenience OF those
whose work begins early, at half past
Seyen. 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 where"
Katharine drank the tea, but un-
fortunately could cat nothing.
"You are taking Il mean advantage,
Katharine" said her friend. "1ou
know YOU are not half so strong as |
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 nalf dozen great crllSts
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 complctc. Never had Misfortune
made a cleaner sweep Of everything.
Friends, work, wardrobe, moncy-what
more could she take? In warmer
climate she would have torn the clothes
Off their backs, but in Great Britain
this is not allowed TO Misfortune, WHO
leaves Crudgingly their clothes upon
the backs even Of the shirt and match
makers. One thing more was left 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 | have. Let US
60 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 had
arrived when there was no longer any
room for hope Lily assumed defiant
air.
Come, let us hurry along. Kathar-
inc" for she fingered and trembled.
Come, l say. 1t will not help us TO
vait-and cry. We have done our best;
we have prayed and there has been no
answer. Let us go out now and starve.
Come. dear Katharine-oh! my dear
II will not help to cry. Let us go out
and find a place where we can sit down
and wait"
1t was eight o'clock. When the door
closed behind them. Katharine sunk
down upon the doorstep and broke into
sobs and moaning.
"Oh. Tom-Tomw she cried. "How
can you be happy in heaven while l
am so miserable here? If am to join
you ask then 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 or
sweetness and satisfaction, because
size 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 Lad 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. Tho 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, it
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.
"Are we to walk about all day long,
| Lily| Sne asked. 'Can we nOt lHu
some place to sit down and rest?"
1--WE will 30 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
SIT looking at fate with wrathful eyes.
and continually putting the same ques-
tion-it has been asked by every I'M
happy person since the world began
"yvhat have we done-what have we