ouse to have a looking-glass broken. And look! the moths
must have been at this cord to make it give way, for it is like a rope
and could not break," and she stooped to examine the frayed ends as she
spoke.

Violet seized this opportunity and slipped quickly from the room,
drawing the door to and locking it after her, thus making Sarah a
prisoner and securing her own liberty.

But her kind little heart and tender conscience smote her for the
strategy which she had employed to accomplish her purpose, and kneeling
upon the floor, she put her lips to the key-hole and said:

"Forgive me, Sarah; but it was all a little plot of mine to get out. The
cord did not break; I cut it."

"Oh, Miss Violet, let me out; please, let me out," the girl cried, in
distress. "Mrs. Mencke said she'd send me off without a reference if I
didn't keep you safe till she came back, and I never dreamed you were
playing me such a trick."

"It is a little hard on you, I confess, Sarah," Violet responded,
regretfully, "and I am very sorry; but I had to do it, for I have an
important engagement down town. Belle had no business to treat me so
like a child, and she shall not discharge you if I can help it. I will
tell her just how I deceived you, and then, if she will not be
reasonable, I will give you a month's wages and help you to another
place."

Sarah continued to plead to be let out, but Violet remained unshaken in
her purpose.

"No, you will have to stay here a little while," she said, "but when I
go down I will send the cook up to release you. When Belle comes home
you can tell her that she will find me at Nellie Bailey's and that I
shall not come home until she apologizes for her shameful treatment."

She could not get over her indignation at being put under lock and key,
with a servant set over her as jailer.

She hastily donned her hat and wrap, drew on her gloves, and quietly
left the room.

Going to the top of the basement stairs, she rang a bell for the cook.

"Bridget, Sarah wants you to go up to my dressing-room to help her with
a mirror that has come down," she said; and then, without waiting for a
reply, Violet sped out of the house, and, hailing the first car that
came along, was soon rolling toward the city to meet her betrothed.

CHAPTER X.

"YOU WILL BE TRUE THOUGH THE OCEAN DIVIDES US."

About four o'clock of that same day Violet entered the private parlor of
her friend, Nellie Bailey, her face glowing, her