Christine: Or Woman's Trials and Triumphs

9. The Confession

81 ch a p ter nine The Confession On her way to her room, Helen glanced in at the half-open door of Christine’s apartment. Her pitying eye rested on the thin, sharp features of the girl, who sat there, leaning wearily back in her chair, pressing her hand to her head, apparently unconscious of all around her. “This solitary imprisonment is a cruel punishment, no matter what she has done,” thought Helen, “and I will find out what her offence is, at any rate.” But, for several days, she could get no opportunity to speak to Annie, who sedulously avoided her; and this studied avoidance only the more firmly convinced Helen that her suspicions were correct—that Annie knew much more than she chose to tell. At last the opportunity, which she had so long wished, presented itself. Their music-teacher gave them a duet to perform together, and, during their first hour of practice, Helen began— “Now, Annie, I just want you to unravel that whole mystery about Christine.” Annie trembled from head to foot, for she imagined that Helen had found the clue. “I knew it would all come out!” she gasped. “What shall I do? What shall I do?”   Christine 82 In an instant, a light flashed on Helen’s mind; Annie was concerned in it, whatever the fault was. She was determined to sift it thoroughly. “I understand it all,” she said, “I have seen Christine.” “But, she did not tell you,” interrupted Annie, eagerly. “She promised! She would not break her promise!” then, suddenly seeing that she had betrayed herself, she paused, and burst into tears. “No, Annie, she did not speak to me; but you must tell me all about it now. What have you done?” continued Helen, calmly. “Nothing!” replied Annie, sullenly, resolved to withdraw into denial. “That answer will not do, Miss Annie; I am resolved to get at the truth—and, if you will not divulge it voluntarily, I know of other means to be employed. You have already committed yourself. I shall call in Mrs. Frothingham, and see if she can find out the truth.” “Oh, Helen, have mercy. Do not call Mrs. Frothingham, I beg of you!” gasped Annie, her countenance betraying her terror in every lineament. “Then, confess of your own free will,” was the stern reply. “Nothing else will save you.” Annie obeyed. In a broken voice she told the whole story. Helen listened with the deepest interest. “Poor Christine!” she exclaimed, “and, poor Annie, too!” as Annie finished her relation of the circumstances. “And now, Annie , there is but one thing to be done,” continued Helen, “and that is—” she paused, while Annie looked at her like a convicted criminal on the face of the judge who is to pronounce his sentence “—and, that is,” repeated Helen, slowly, “for you to go to Mrs. Frothingham yourself—tell her the story you have told me, as you have told it to me; do not omit your own sufferings, and she cannot fail to be touched, as I have been.” “Oh, I cannot—I cannot,” repeated Annie. Christine 83 “But, you must,” returned Helen, “and at once.” Annie wrung her hands, despairingly. “Go, or I shall do so!” continued Helen. “That poor girl shall not be wronged another day. Decide at once! Will you go, or shall I?” She rose, and proceeded towards the door. “Helen, I will go,” gasped Annie, “but, do go with me! To the door of her room, if no further!” “Come, then!” said Helen, and, half-supporting her, she led her to the room where Christine had received her sentence. “Oh, Helen, let me go! I cannot!” gasped Annie, as she paused to gather courage. A rap on the door was Helen’s only reply—she glided away, leaving Annie alone. The door opened, and Mrs. Frothingham stood before the terrified girl. Her first impulse was to speak sternly to Annie for coming thus unceremoniously to her room, she who was so punctilious in regard to her intercourse with her pupils, but a second glance at the pale girl before her, changed her proposed reproof to a kind inquiry— “What brings you here, Miss Murray? What is the matter? Come in, and tell me all!” Annie, somewhat reassured by her kind reception, did as she was commanded, but no sooner did she find herself seated alone with her teacher...