Page:Under the Gaslight.djvu/39

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Laura. Poor. It is a sad thing to want for happiness but it is a terrible thing to see another groping about blindly for it when it is almost within the grasp. And yet she can be very happy with him. Her sunny temper, and her joyous face will brighten any home. (Sits at table, on which are books,) How happy I feel to be alone with these friends, who are ever ready to talk to me—with no longings for what I may not have—my existence hidden from all, save two in the wide world, and making my joy out of the joy of that innocent child who will soon be his wife.

( appears at back looking in cautiously, grotesquely attired.

Peach. If you please.

Laura. (Aloud.) Who is there?

Peach. (Running in window ) O, it's Miss ! O, I'm so glad; I've had such a hunt for you. Don't ask me nothing yet. I'm so happy. I've been looking for you so long, and I've had such hard luck. Lord what a tramp—miles on miles.

Laura. Did any one see you come here? How did you find me?

Peach. I asked 'em at the hotel where Mr. was, and they said at, and I asked 'em where was, and they said down the shore, and I walked down lookin' at every place till I came here.

Laura. Speak low,. My existence is a secret, and no one must hear you.

Peach. Well, Miss, I says to —says I—

Laura. Is he with you?

Peach. No, Miss, but we are great friends. He wants me to keep house for him some day. I said to him—"I want to find out where Miss 's gone," and so he went to Mr. 's and found he was come to Long Branch, but never a word could we hear of you.

Laura. And the others—those dreadful people?

Peach. and old ? Clean gone! They hasn't been seen since they was took up for throwing you into the water, and let off because no one came to Court agin 'em. says he's seen 'em in 's wax-work show, but is such a liar. He brought me up here.

Laura. Brought you up here.

Peach. Yes, he sells papers at 's; he's got the exclusive trade here, and he has a little wagon and a horse, and goes down to the junction every night to catch the extras from the Express train what don't come here. He says he'll give me lots of nice rides if I'll stay here.

Laura. But you must not stay here. You must go back to New York this evening.

Peach. Back ! No, I won't.

Laura. !

Peach. I won't, I won't, I won't! I'll never let you away again. I did it once and you was took away and dragged about and chucked overboard and almost drowned. I won't be any trouble, indeed I won't. I'll hire out at the hotel, and run over when my work is done at night, when nobody can see me, to look up at your window. Don't send me away. You're the only one as ever was good to me.