Year: 1879

crossed the roads; I lost myself in { maze of turnings near the Chelsoa Hos pital looked behind me conatantly il fear of watchers; I turned the corners of the streets in haste, and then waited for my spies; but l was not followed, ol they who followed were too cunning fol me.

 I reached home unperceived, thought, and my mistress scolded me fo, being away so long. My excuse was moi ready one, and was received in silence feared to tell the truth lest should render her moro nervous than myself or she should suspect tha: I was goine mad. Presently began to think that was too full of faIc;os to be completely sane for the autumn passed on to win. ter, and still the man WIS on my mind and the dark, glittering eyes shone out in the darkness of my dreams as thougl I were to be haunted by them till my dying day. It is not unlikely tLas my mind was little strained at this time, l was unsettled. The picture of the on. coming troubles of my master and mis tresswas not pleasant to contemplate. The master had grown dull and thought ful, and wore moody look that was diff. foult to chase away, and the mistress, my dear young mistress, seemed fading slowly from this world. They both looked at me curiously, and felt that they would broaoh the subject presently again of my dismissal from the1r service. was one too many-I knew that, and Q serious item in their expenses, even with my hands open to help them, and shut against any money for my willing work.

 It came as I expected; it was like a death-warrant. In November I received notice to leave them. I was told I must go, with many tears from the weak wife; l was even urged to go at once, as bet ter for all, and less painful to me. It was explained that it was impossible they could afford any longer to keep me, and 1t was not just to themselves to do so.

 "I will go. then," said, after one or two vain remonstrances, and feeling that all remoustrances were vain. They had made up the1r minds now, and I could not beg too long, although my heart was breaking.

 "We shall never forget your kind ness, Martha" said the vile.

 "And we hope one day to be able to repay it, added the husband.

 "To have you back again with us presently, when the good times come for us, as they come to most folk who have the patience to wait," said Mrs. 

 "I will pray for the good times, then, |" answered. "I know I shall not be liked in any other situation"

 "You will not be long out of service. We are able to give you an excellent character, Martha" said AIr. Mayfeld !: "and good servants are scarce oommod. ities, the papers say."

 I did not answer him. Idid not un- derstand why he was almost in hieh spirits at my going away, as if I had been weight upon his mind, and nv absence would remove it.

 "I may call and see the child P" I asked, turning to my mistress, "I could not live and not see little Paul. {"

 There was strange hesitation here that struck me-that bewiIdered me. The husbands face shadowed, and his brow contracted as though I had in- suited him by the appeal, and Mrs. Mayfield drew deep, long breath, and stared at me.

 Certainly, Martha" she said, how ever, Gas often as you please"

 Nr. Mayfeld said not a word he took up book, and feigned to be ab- sorbed in its perusal, and went away . discontented and suspicious woman, and Heaven knows why. Perhaps I was going mad, and they had seen the symptoms, and had grown afraid of m e. That was the only solution to it all which l could guess at, and was like mad woman when it came to saying good-by to little Paul.

 l broke down utterly. I wept, and raVed, and scared the child away from me by my extravagance of grief, instead of feeling his arms round my neck, and his kisses on my worn wet cheeks. It was only two days after had gone that the mother told me he was fretting for his Martha and the boys grief was a comfort to me, though I grieved with him. Before the week was out had seen little Paul twice early in the next week was there once more. I had ob- tained no new situation I had not tried, l had settled down in 8 street close to theirs, and there it was likely J should remain until my last penny was spent. told them this, and offered to work for them when they liked, and go back to my own room to my meals but they would not listen to any proposition of the kind. It was putting too cruel an obligation on them, and Mrs. Mayfeld said and thought that she was strong enough to do without servant at last.

 There came another "cut' for me. I was not to call too frequently. un- settled the boy; he could think of noth- ing else but my visits and the little presents which I brought him. It would be much the better plan to keep away for a fortnight or three weeks, they thought.

 "Very we'll" I said again, eff I can keep away, I will. But did not think. mistress, you would ever say as much to me-"

 It is for Paul's sake. Arthur thinks