Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-26
CHAPTER K.

CHAPTER x.
At o'clock in the morning there were
few people stirring in the miserable lodg-
ing house where the hunchback and the
girl had their quarters. From his secret
hiding place Drake came stealing with
soft footsteps into their little sitting
room. He struck match and lighted
the stove. slipped out through the front
door, and at neighboring shop bought
rolls and butter and fresh milk. These
he put carefully on one side. For him
self he produced from the cupboard two
small pieces of stale bread. some rancid
butter and a coffee pot, and prepared
some unnamable compound Then he
arranged the girls breakfast upon the
tray, set the kettle once more upon the
stove, and commenced his meal.
Up and down the little room he walked,
listening intently for any sound in the
sleeping house. His face was drawn and
tense with emotion. Sometimes as he
walked he cracked the joints of his long
fingers. Sometimes he paused to wipe the
damp fear from his forehead. Would she
come? Was he going to lose her? Would
she oversleep, perhaps, or change her
mind? In his heart he knew that none
of these things was probable. He knew
that the great sickening fear which had
taken possession of him would soon be
realized. How he cursed the anonymous
sender of those few lines! She would
go, he was sure of it, Soon he would
hear her footsteps upon the stairs, and
see her hurry into the room, with this
new animation in her face which had
never left her since she had received the
letter She would wish him goodbye
carelessly, as usual, and she would go
out of the door never to return. He was
sure of IT. sure of it, he told himself,
there to keep her in this bondage of
misery when once the way of escape was
made manifest?
Eight o'clock struck and then half
past. Nine and there was no sound of
her coming. a faint, impossible hope
commenced to quicken his pulses. Some
times she slept late. If she should do so
today, If she should fail to reach the
station in time. the man might go. There
would be nothing left for her but to stay
with him. She would hate him more than
ever for not having called her. What
did it matter? There was little he had
from her save ungracious words She
would be with him still She would walk
day his constant service. He prayed that
she might be late. In vain. Nine O'Clock
had scarcely struck before he heard her
step upon the stairs He raised his hands
high above his head in little gesture of
despair. Then with queer little sob,
which somehow or other he contrived to
suppress, he took the coffee pot in his
hand and poured in the hot water.
Your breakfast is ready. Christine" he
said. Il thought that you would take it
downstairs this morning.
Christine nodded carelessly. In that
first furtive glance he had noticed, with
sinking heart, that she was wearing her
best hat, and that her clothes, shabby
brushed. She carried gloves, too, and a
little piece of lace was at her throat.
There could no longer be any doubt about
it. She was going to the station. She
was going to obey the summons sent her
from this unknown source. She sat down
at the table and drank her coffee slowly.
She was a little pale. There We're dark
rims under her eyes, which spoke of a
sleepless night.
You are not coming with me. then?'
she asked. abruptly.
No he answered.
Il shall come back" she said. "any-
how. l shall come back for little time
whatever happens"
see his face L WONDER" he said,
thoughtfully.
In his heart he did not wonder at all.
He felt that the end had come. 1t was
there like a dead weight over his heart.
After she had finished her coffee she be-
gan to draw on her gloves.
''They tell me-" she said, that 1t takes
an hour to walk to Victoria from here. l
think l will start"
There is railway that goes under
ground he said. Il have seven pence
here
He held out the coins and laid them
with shaking fingers upon the table. She
took them up and put them into her
pocket.
Il will take the money!" she said, lin
case it comes on to rain. If not, would
rather walk
She rose to her feet and then. with a
sudden impulse, she turned round toward
him. Her eyes. for moment. lost their
seemed to soften.
Goodbye, Ambrose she said.
Wont you wish me fortune? Remem-
Der, it is for your sake as well as mine"
before her. His long fingers caught at
her skirts. His eyes were full of pas
sionate tears Don't co. he cried.
There is danger and 1 am afraid. 1
am afraid that you will not come back.
/ can earn more money. / will get up
earlier. l will go out in the evenings,
Chicot and /. There are many who do
well on the streets when people are go
ing and coming from the theaters. You
shall have more clothes. l swear that you
SHALL Don't go away, Christine. / am
afraid.
She looked at him with the tolerant
amaZement of one who sees an unex-
pected passion seize hold of child MY
dear Ambrose" she said. drawing her
skirts away from his clinging fingers,
don't be absurd. Sit up and remember
that you are man. Remember that this
is what we came here for. what we have
been looking for ever since we started the
quest. A few shillings a day more
what do you think that could mean to
me? ! am tired of this Wretched pow
erty. l want another life from beginning
that ] shall go mad
Already he was conscious of the fulfil
ity of his effort. He dragged himself to
his feet. He was feeling very weak and