Part 59 (1/2)

How did Mrs Compton?

December 28--In spite of my quiet habits and constant seclusion I feel that I am under some surveillance, not fro the last fortnight and perceived this plainly Men in the walks ere at work quietly followed me with their eyes I see that I am watched I did not know that I was of sufficient ie incident occurred Mrs Cohts turned to one about whom I have often tried to form conjectures--my mother How could she ever have married a man like my father? What could she have been like? Suddenly I turned to Mrs Compton, and said:

”Did you ever see my mother?”

What there could have been in my question I can not tell, but she trereater fear in her face than I had ever seen there before This time she seeh ht which I had once before known flashed across my mind

”Oh!” cried Mrs Compton, suddenly, ”oh, don't look at me so; don't look at me so!”

”I don't understand you,” said I, slowly

She hid her face in her hands and began to weep I tried to soothe her, and with soained her coht, with a long series of attendant thoughts, has weighed downhere? What do these people ith uard me?_

I can write nonew has happened I ahts I see this plainly that there are times when I inspire fear in this house Why is this?

Since that day, o, when they all looked at me in horror, I have seen none of them Now Mrs Compton has exhibited the same fear There is a restraint over her Yes, she too fears ets to sendhts that arise within hts have changed, and I have been inspired with an uncontrollable desire to escape I live here in luxury, but the meanest house outside would be far preferable Every hour here is a sorrow, every day a misery Oh, me! if I could but escape!

Once in that outer world I care not whatto do menial labor to earn my bread Yet it need not coht me have been useful in more ways than one I know that I at least need not be dependent

He used to say to , I could do so or make a fortune He said I could interpret the ideas of the Great Masters, andto the world

Why need I stay here when I have a voice which he used to deign to praise? He did not praise it because he loved me; but I think he loved me because he loved my voice He loves my voice better than ain? Did he knoeet his voice was to ht and day

March 5--My resolution is formed This may be my last entry I pray to God that it ht they can not be watching me There is a door at the north end, the key of which is always in it I can steal out by that direction and gain rant deliverance to the captive!

Farewell now, ain! Yet I will secrete you in this chalad to seek you again

March 6--Not yet! Not yet!

Alas! and since yesterday what things have happened! Last night I was to ht, and I waited for theer than usual

[Illustration: ”OH!” CRIED MRS COMPTON SUDDENLY, ”OH, DON'T LOOK AT ME SO; DON'T LOOK AT ME SO!”]

At about ten o'clock Mrs Cohtened a face as usual ”They want you,” said she

I knehoo?” said I

”Alas, dear child, what can you do? Trust in God He can save you”