The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 190: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. 187 she had undergone had had its effect upon her, and she was soon aroused by the necessity of stopping. One thing alone presented itself very forcibly to her, and that was the fact that she ran some danger in the streets, where she was liable to insult and discovery. What could be done, or where she could go for a few hours she knew not; but this she knew, she must endeavor to hide berself, for she was incapable of much more exertion. — It was near a market that she found herself, and there were many odd corners and places where she could remain in quiet until daybreak. She entered a place where there were a good many packages and carts, some under a covered way, and others in the open air. Among some of the former she contrived to pass, and sat down upon a hamper, and leaning against the wall, she, after thinking over the events of the last few days, fell asleep. She did not awake until the day was far advanced, and the hum and noise of people were heard on all sides of her: she got up and walked out from her place of concealment unmolested by any one; there being so many persons, she was not more noticed than the rest. It was later in the morning than she had imagined, and she determined that she must adopt some course of action, but what that was to be was almost as difficuit as the necessity for some course being pursued. ‘““ What will be said,” she thought, ‘‘ when it becomes known that I have left my lodgings, eoniraty to my express promise? I shall be deemed an impostor; the best thing I can do will be to go immediately to the police-office, and there see the magis- trate or officer.” This was certainly the best plan she could adopt, and she at once determined that, when it was late enough, she would goto the magistrate and relate all that had happened. ‘‘ This man has escaped from prison; he is a criminal of the worst character, and he has committed so many crimes, to make it unsafe that he should escape: and he haunts me; my life is not secure while he is at liberty.” There was some time fo spare, and Mabel walked slowly about; but ever fearful of encountering that fearful man, she kept within the vicinity of the office. As soon as the office was open, Mabel entered and sat down in the waiting-room. Here she believed she was safe; for the mendicant, now he had es- caped from the hands of the officers, would never willingly run. into their power again. In this she was right—-she was safe. That morning there was a communication made io the presiding magistrate to the effect that the officer under whose care she had been placed had just been to her lodgings to see her, and found that she had suddenly quitted the place in the middle of the night, and had left no trace behind her. There were several minutes’ pause after making this communication, and the magis- trate seemed to be considering within himself what could be the cause of It. ; comicbooks. com