“I left the room by the veranda door, because he bade me do so, to avoid what he termed ‘the prying of servants.’  I broke some clusters of chrysanthemums blooming in the rose garden, to carry to my mother, and then I hurried away.  If the wages of disobedience be death, then fate reversed the mandate, and obedience exacts my life as a forfeit.  Think of it:  I had ample time to reach the station before seven o’clock, and if I had gone straight on, all would have been well.  I should have taken the 7.15 train, and left forever this horrible place.  If I had not loitered, I should have seen once more my mother’s face, have escaped shame, despair, ruin—­oh! the blessedness of what ‘might have been!’

“Listen, my twelve judges, and pity the child who obeyed at all hazards.  Poor though I was, I bought a small bouquet for my sick mother the day that I left her, and the last thing she did was to arrange the flowers, tie them with a wisp of faded blue ribbon, and putting them in my hand, she desired me to be sure to stop at the cemetery, find her mother’s grave in the Darrington lot, and lay the bunch of blossoms for her upon her mother’s monument.  Mother’s last words were:  ’Don’t forget to kneel down and pray for me, at mother’s grave.’”

The voice so clear, so steady hitherto, quivered, ceased; and the heavy lashes drooped to hide the tears that gathered; but it was only for a few seconds, and she resumed in the same cold, distinct tone: 

“So I went on, and fate tied the last millstone around my neck.  After some search I found the place, and left the bunch of flowers with a few of the chrysanthemums; then I hastened toward town, and reached the station too late; the 7.15 train had gone.  Too late!—­ only a half hour lost, but it carried down everything that this world held for me.  I used to wonder and puzzle over that passage in the Bible, ‘The stars in their courses fought against Sisera!’ I have solved that mystery, for the stars in their courses’ have fought against me; heaven, earth, man, time, circumstances, coincidences, all spun the web that snared my innocent feet.  When I paid for the telegram to relieve my mother’s suspense, I had not sufficient money (without using the gold) to enable me to incur hotel bills; and I asked permission to remain in the waiting-room until the next train, which was due at 3.05.  The room was so close and warm I walked out, and the fresh air tempted me to remain.  The moon was up, full and bright, and knowing no other street, I unconsciously followed the one I had taken in the afternoon.  Very soon I reached the point near the old church where the road crosses, and I turned into it, thinking that I would enjoy one more breath of the pine forest, which was so new to me.  It was so oppressively hot I sat down on the pine straw, and fanned myself with my hat.  How long I remained there, I know not, for I fell asleep; and when I awoke, Mr. Dunbar rode up and asked if I had lost my way.  I answered