The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-12-24

| Another ball and another reached
her, and then her heart gave a great
| leap, for across the square came Will
lam Westcott, sending her tormentors
| to right and left Then he stepped up
on the platform by her side, looking
down at the crowd in grim alertness.
| She did not look at him. After that
first throb of relief came again the ter
rible thrush of shame, with added
poignancy.
| Go awayl" she said suddenly in a
oholed little voice that she hated for Its
| tremor.
He did not stir.
| go away" she reiterated once
more, and after that she neither spoke
nor looked at him.
| Westcott scarcely understood himself
the force that had brought him there
or the strange new emotions surging
through him. He had held back from
tne girl, distrusting her latent possi-
bilities while she was yet Innocent OF
| onense, but now that her humiliation
was offered to every eye he had sprung
10 share II, his reproach lost In the
thrill OF an unknown feeling more poig-
nant than pity or shame
When the interminable time was at
last over and Zellah, stiff and chilled,
stepped down from the little platform.
ne put himself at her side.
20 away from mel want to see no
one, she hung out at him, and with
bent head darted down a side street.
Her route led her to the shore. which
she skirted for time, fioundering
.nrough the damp snowdrifts In the
rough wagon road.
Hellah eyed the water with gloomy
fascination. She wished mlserabiy that
she possessed the courage to fling her
sen into IL and so end at once the
menace of the to-morrows.
snip ahoy, therev' rang out a joyial
volce, and, lifting her bent head, the
glri saw young man almost in front
OF her. ~
Let me passT she commanded him
fiercely.
Presently, presently. I mean no
harm. am Bob Breresford, captain
OF the Conrad yonder and very much
the Dragon, but this is no place for a
maid like you! Where are you going?"
GOD knows!' she answered wildly,
her voice breaking.
Nay" he returned. coming nearer.
his eyes shining more and more, Bob
Breresford knows. Come with me out
OF TINS place where they made mock
OIL you. Come back TO England, lass"
TO England?" she faltered, held by
the blum decision of his manner.
AYE, to England, ON the Conrad.
turns"
Again Zellah looked at the ship. On
the Conrad to England! England
seemed heaven realized. 1t did not
matter where she went after she got
there; anything was better than taking
up her life again here. The captain
saw her eyes fash, her lips take on
resolution.
"But-but I would have to go In Sc
cret,' she put before him.
Aye" he laughed, "we'll stow you
safely away till out of harbor Never
fear for that, my lass. You are of the
right stuff, you are"
And then-I know not II I can get
money enough for my passage. have
but few pieces. Is It much?"
Tut. trihe! All will be made right
my prettiness." he laughed. bending
toward her.
She sprang away; but before she
could speak the hot Indignation he saw
hame into her face he dashed into
apology.
"A dozen pardons. mistress. There,
DO not run; meant no harm. Twas
but poor toke-a sailors joke"
She came slowly toward him again,
searching his face, and he had wisdom
enough to keep II serious and at a
proper distance. And so, after more
talk, she promised to meet him there
at that place at half after four with
such belongings as she could get to-
gether.
When her fathers huge timepiece.
sagging down her pocket. warned her
or the approaching time. she lifted her
bundle from It's hiding place and start
ed down the shore.
Merry Christmas. lassv softly called
the waiting figure, as she hesitated. un-