and feared. It appeared fate's cruel decree that I
should escape Paul Lanier's murderous designs but to suffer this
prolonged, indefinite, loathsome danger. Yet such distress served to
check the despondent outlook of future years. I became anxious for some
immediate rescue.

"Old Sarah was my only hope, but could not devise any plan to help me. I
studied that black, sympathetic face for inspiration. It seemed that my
mute appeals greatly pained her, but she could give only high-sounding
encouragement, while solemnly pledging everlasting devotion to one who
'mo' and mo' 'zembles my own little bressed baby, Mandy Car'line just
'fo' she died!'

"After weeks of suspense, only the girls returned from night visits to
London scenes. They looked much depressed. Old Sarah was taken into
their confidence, and appeared greatly troubled. The next day both girls
moved, taking only articles of clothing, saying nothing as to where they
were going.

"The old servant seemed much affected, but soon grew more cheerful. She
told me that these men had been arrested, charged with the robbery. The
girls suspected the police would come that day to search the cabin for
stolen stuff. They would go away, and old Sarah must keep quiet. She was
to claim as her own everything in the cabin. The four had been only
boarders, about whom she was to know nothing. As the price of her
secrecy she could keep everything in the rooms. There were sufficient
supplies for at least a month.

"All this and much more old Sarah told me in a hysterical burst of
confidence. When entirely recovered, I could find my friends, and she
would go home to her family.

"To me this unexpected turn was a great relief, and my simple-hearted
old benefactress grew quite hopeful.

"The police raid did not occur. None of the four ever came back. What
became of these criminal suspects I never heard.

"After a few weeks I was able to walk about the cabin. Determined soon
as possible to cease dependence upon this poor old servant who so
generously had befriended me in such need, I longed for speedy recovery.
Old Sarah seemed to dread the hour when her 'new baby chile' would go
away.

"The colored woman indulged in much grief at our parting, bewailing it
as a fresh bereavement. She explained that Mandy Caroline was her oldest
child, and died at the age of twenty-four. Though having many other
children, it seemed to her that I was a heaven-sent substitute for this
lost daughter