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Penny Dreadfuls, 1889 · page 165 of 298

A Heart's Bitterness — page 165: what you’re looking at

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A Heart's Bitterness — page 165: Penny Dreadfuls, 1889

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* Yar &. © pe ae Oe eS ay. ore Sad oe eS Se Midas. ty ‘+ _*, * Se. od DOS Lee lee we Le wo st Rupee “Y mq a ee. . 4 Wiptti>e Lp. = Ae Poy - wt ee -—~ - “i 4 i. ‘ i a4 Qe : » fj \ — - WH f = | n - i" * 4 i» + ,= of ~~ 2 > 7 hg, , 4 bes 4 bse 4 | | . a. ‘i A HEART'S BITTERNESS, — 187 alders, and willows, and poplars showed where the river ran. | She longed for the murmur of the waters, the freshness of the banks, and so crossed the stile and field to the foot- path that ran along blue Derwent’s side, All the world was - in the glory of the May. Clover, red and white, shook fra- grance from its crowded bloom, the pink-tipped daisies starred the grass, and all along the water-ways blossomed the golden pyramids consecrated to St. John. - Through this bloom and beauty wandered Violet of Leigh, each instant with a more sickening sense of desolation and fatigue. Unaccustomed to such long exertion, every nerve and muscle ached sorely from the long strain. A refuge she must find at once, or fall by the way. é A neat cottage was near, facing the river, and surrounded by arose-garden. A tall, very trim, neat woman leaned on the gate, and, though her sharp face was anything but com- forting, Violet timidly perferred her request. ‘Had she a spare room for a boarder, for a night or a few days?” «A room!” cried the woman, shrilly. ‘NotI. What has one to think of a pretty young miss wandering about the country in a silk gown and a Paris hat? I know better. I’ve been a lady’s maid, and-———” Violet staid to hear no more; a flood of crimson dyed her pallid face at the implied insult. Had she, Violet Ainslie, Countess of Leigh, fallen so low as to be taken for a vagrant, and spurned by an ex-lady’s maid. Maddened by humilia- tion, she hurried along with renewed force until, hearing steps closely pursuing her, she turned abruptly, and looked into a face young and gentle as her own.” Violet was looking at a young girl of plain but sympa- thetic face. The stranger had on a blue check gown, and a straw bonnet woven by her own hands. She was slender and neat in appearance, and while evidently a cottager, ike many on the Leigh estates, had the air of one used to th ways of the town. | : ‘‘ Were you looking for a lodging?” she asked, gently. ‘‘ Yes,” said Violet, hurriedly. ‘I was looking for a friend. I have missed her, and lost my way, and Iam so” tired, I can hardly move. I am frightened, too, for | am ~ not used to—heing by myself.” ‘‘T can give you a lodging,” said the girl. ‘I am alone. a ane ws (eo) m Ebooks co