ard
Lexington, which I reached about four in the morning. I had no definite
idea as to where I wanted to go, but the sight of the Cincinnati stage
drawn up before the Phoenix determined me. I had purposely kept my own
bonnet and veil, as the maniac girl wore neither. Drawing the latter over
my face, I kept it there while securing my place in the coach, and until
we were many miles from the city. Passengers entered and left, and some
looked inquisitively at me and my slightly fantastic dress.

"We reached Cincinnati about ten in the morning, and with a long glad
breath I stepped from the coach, and felt that Kentucky and my notorious
character were behind. I stopped at the ---- Hotel, and the next two days
were spent in procuring myself a decent outfit. Each night I went to a
different house, for the sake of avoiding suspicion, and as my bills were
promptly paid, no questions were ever asked. At the D---- House I saw in a
paper an advertisement for a teacher in a school in one of the interior
towns. I had formed some such plan for the future, and instantly
determined personally to apply for the situation. I did so, but
credentials were required, and I had none to give. Somewhat weary of my
adventure I returned to Cincinnati, and in passing through one of the
streets, my eye caught the sign 'Fashionable Dressmaking and Millinery.' I
knew I had a taste for that, and I concluded to offer myself as an
apprentice."

Then she told how she had toiled on day after day with dim eye and aching
head for over a year in the unwholesome atmosphere of a crowded workshop
conducted by a slave-driving, inconsiderate woman named Miss Dillon, while
thoughts of home and remorse for the past preyed on her heart.

"But why did you not come back?" asked Fanny. "We would have received you
most gladly."

"I felt that I could not do that," said Julia. "I knew that you thought me
dead, and I fancied that father, at least, would feel relieved."

"Oh, child," groaned Uncle Joshua, "don't say so. I was mighty mean, I
know, but I never got to that."

After a moment Julia told them that she had had to deliver a party dress
to Florence Woodburn at Mr. Graham's house one evening and, while waiting
in the hall, had heard Florence read a letter from Nellie Stanton aloud to
Alice Graham. In the letter, Nellie said that Mrs. Middleton was not
expected to live and that Dr. Lacey and Fanny from New Orleans were with
her.

This news caused her to resign