Buck Hawk, Detective | Page 7

the hands of her relatives without resentment. She was now
old enough to keenly feel the fact she was a dependent upon her uncle
for support, and to know that she must gracefully acquiesce in the
wishes of her uncle and cousin; but of late, Miss St. Clair had appeared
to grow constantly jealous of her pretty cousin, and did all in her power
to make Etta's life miserable.
The early life of the latter was shrouded in mystery, and all that she
knew was that she was Jerome St. Clair's niece, and that she was
dependent on him for her livelihood.
But to be suspected of intentional complicity in a robbery, was more
than her sense of honor would bear, and she resolved to stand up for her
rights, cost what it might.
If she lost her home with the St. Clairs, she was able to work, and could
not well find a more cheerless abode.
"What!" Jerome St. Clair cried, angrily, after recovery from his
astonishment at her words. "Do you mean to defy me, you saucy chit?"
"I mean just what I said, and nothing more!" Etta answered. "Because I
have been dependent upon you for my living, it does not follow that I
will allow any one to make me out a thief, nor do I care to stand your
daughter's insulting conduct much longer."
"Indeed! Perhaps it would cure you of some of your lofty importance to
turn you out on the world for a time? That I shall certainly do if you do
not deliver me up that paper!"
"Then, I will consider myself dismissed!" the girl retorted, with
flashing eyes. "If I can see Captain Clyde I am sure be will help me to
find a situation!"

"If you dare to speak to Captain Clyde, I will have you arrested!"
Jerome St. Clair cried, while his daughter looked the jealous anger she
felt.
"Oh! you are afraid, Mr. St. Clair, that the captain will hear of how you
have treated me, and will not then realize so much pleasure in your
daughter's company. Perhaps you are right!"
And with a defiant laugh, Etta swept from the room, and set about
preparing to leave the house.
She had a little money which she had saved from her monthly allotment,
but it did not exceed ten dollars all told, and she knew she could not
exist long on that amount without work.
It was yet early in the evening, and she was resolved to set forth that
very night, but at the same time had no idea where she should go.
Packing her not extravagant wardrobe into her sachel, and wrapping
herself up, she left the St. Clair residence, a feeling of freedom thrilling
her with hope and ambition.
As quickly as possible she got out of the neighborhood, for she really
believed that Jerome St. Clair would send the officers after her.
After an hour's wandering, she found herself at the Broad street railway
depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and feeling fatigued, she concluded
to rest in the spacious waiting-room, until she read an evening paper
she had purchased, hoping to see a situation advertised that would suit
her fancy.
There were plenty of calls for girls to do housework, but having a good
education, Etta felt that she was capable of filling some higher position
than being a common servant.
As if to gratify her desire, her gaze directly fell upon the following
advertisement, which was one of a number of others in the same
column:

"Wanted-- A well educated, respectable young lady as secretary and
reader, for an old gentleman. Good salary to the right party. Apply at
No.-- North Tenth street."
Poor Etta's heart bounded with joy as she read this, and she made up
her mind to put in her application at once.
It could do no harm, at least, to try.
To think, with her, was to act, and leaving her sachel, at a near-by store,
for safe-keeping, she went in search of the residence of the advertiser.
She found it, at length-- a large, imposing edifice, with a
marble-trimmed front, and ascending the steps she rung the bell,
somewhat timidly,
A colored servant in livery answered the summons.
"I called in answer to an advertisement, sir," Etta explained, eagerly.
The "sir" seamed to banish the servant's chilliness of demeanor, for be
opened the door still further, with a gracious bow.
"Walk right in, miss-- walk right in. De boss is in de parlor 'xaminin' a
lot ob gals dis berry minute."
And before she was scarcely aware of it, Etta found herself ushered into
a grand reception-room, where an old gentleman and several young
ladies were seated.
All of the latter were dressed much more expensively and stylishly than
Etta,