OR, CLARENCE MORTIMER. 69

 

children. If I should do as well as some,
the girls may get to be great ladies in
America, and the boy will be a gentle-
man.’ 3

‘©¢ He got his way in that as he always
did in everything. Ah, if I had only held
out against him that day !’

‘‘The poor woman paused, as if she
could not bear to go on with her narra-
tive. |

“<< Do not tell me any more if it pains
you,’ said the lady, kindly.
‘*¢ Yes, I will go on to the end, since I

have begun,’ said she. ‘It is fitting you
should. know why a respectable woman like
me should be begging in the streets for my-
‘self and my children. It was a bitter cup

to drink, ma’am, for one brought up as I

had been, the coming to you that night, and