Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

178 “WHERE CAN SEE BE?” ‘‘Yes, sister, in spite of my endeavors, you have tracked ine out,’’ was the chilling reply. ‘‘And you are an actress—a paid actress,’’ continued Rose. ‘You dance and sing on the stage, for your living. If papa could but know——”’ ‘Surely there is no disgrace in that?’’ asserted the actress, guardedly, but with a toss of her head, ‘fand papa can never know.”’ | ‘‘No disgrace?’’ repeated her sister, ‘‘if there be no dis- erace connected with it, why did you leave your homeand me in such a manner?”’ “Simply because I knew your ideas on the subject. I knew you would either place me in an asylum for a luna- tic, or else give me into Father Moore’s hands for reforma- tion. I chose the only alternative,’’ the actress answered, defiantly. ‘You acted with unpardonable cruelty.’’ ‘‘No; I was fully determined to go upon the stage. Listen, sister, let us not quarrel; it isso long since we have seen each other that it would be wrong of us to allow harsh words to pass between us; each of us has chosen her path in life, and the world is large enough for us both. Therefore, let us respect each other’s feelings and be care- ful what we say.’”’ ‘‘Respect!’’ echoed Rose, bitterly. ‘‘What respect or consideration, may l ask, had you for my feelings? You went away in the most heartless manner possible, leaving me without the slightest knowledge as to whether you were dead or alive. Half wild with despair, and not know- ing where to turn for information, it suddenly occurred to me that Mrs, French might put me on your track. She, it transpired, was better posted than your own sister, and COMM-EMOOK<S.COhn