Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/133

Rh her get out and go with him. He took her out in the country; they staid so long I sent out a man on horse-back to look for them; and at last I got so uneasy I went out myself. After going a mile or so, I met them, and asked, "Is that you, Minnie?" The reply came in a low, broken tone, "Yes, it is I."

I hurried home, and was just in time to prevent an exposure. I got them with great difficulty quieted down for that time. A few nights after, she came to my door and told me to get up, as Noble was treating her badly I came down and asked him. His reply was as usual, "I have done nothing to her." I never saw him strike or misuse her, and her words I could not place much confidence in, as it was difficult to know when she was in jest or earnest.

There was a lady who roomed next to her, who heard and saw a good deal of their proceedings; she and I had many a confidential talk about Minnie, and many an hour have I sat in her room, waiting for a storm to be at hand. Minnie told her many things she should have kept back; at least she said so. This lady asked me one night if it was true that Minnie went to Noble's mother's to a dinner party with a calico dress on? I told her Minnie's maid had not a calico dress, and I knew she had not had one since she was ten years old. Then she asked me of the reception Minnie had at Noble's mother's. I told her all about it; how on her leaving Kentucky, Noble wished her to quit using paint; she declared she would not go to balls, parties, theaters, or any other place, if she could not dress as she pleased; she had invitations to many parties, but would not go; many called on her, but she would not see them, till her