ncy evening gown. On
top of the lid was an umbrella, a lady's traveling-coat, hat, and
gloves. On the sofa was a large Gladstone bag, packed and fastened, and
close by a smaller trunk-tray with lid. In the end of the tray was a
revolver wrapped in tissue paper. The trunk was closed, and apparently
locked. The room had the general appearance of having been stripped of
all personal belongings. Old magazines and newspapers were scattered
all over the place.

Pale and perturbed, Laura sat nervously, starting at each little sound
she heard from the street. Every now and then she consulted the small
traveling clock which she held in her hand. Why didn't John come. She
was all ready. Everything was packed. All they had to do now was to
call a cab and drive to the railroad station. Thank God, she had got
rid of Brockton! That danger, at least, was removed. John knew nothing,
could hear nothing now until they were safely married. If afterwards he
heard things and demanded an explanation, she would tell him everything
and he would forgive her.

"Ain't yuh goin' to let me come to yuh at all, Miss Laura?" asked the
maid with a pout.

"I don't know yet, Annie. I don't even know what the place is like that
we're going to. Mr. Madison hasn't said much. There hasn't been time."

"Why, Ah've done ma best for yuh, Miss Laura; yes, Ah have. Ah've jest
been with yuh ev'ry moment of ma time, an' Ah worked for yuh an Ah
loved yuh, an, Ah doan wan' to be left 'ere all alone in dis town er
New York."

Laura turned to the door for a moment, and, while her back was turned
Annie stooped, grabbed up a ribbon, and hid it behind her back.

"Ah ain't the kind of culled lady knows many people. Can't yuh take me
along wid yuh, Miss Laura? Yuh all been so good to me."

Getting up from the trunk, Laura went to the outer door and listened.
Hearing nothing, she returned with a gesture of disappointment. With
some irritation, she said:

"Why, I told you to stay here and get your things together, and then
Mr. Brockton will probably want you to do something. Later I think
he'll have you pack up, just as soon as he finds I'm gone. I've got the
address that you gave me. I'll let you know if you can come on."

Hiding the ribbon inside her waist, the negress said suddenly:

"Ain't yuh goin' to give me anything at all, jes' to remembuh yuh by?
Ah've been so honest----"

"Honest?" echoed her mistress scornfully.

"Honest, Ah have."

"You've been ab