CHAPTER NINTH.
ROOM TO RENT.
We must now return to my heroine, who, with her two children, we left slowly travelling toward Jackson, Mississippi.

On arriving at Ponchatula, she took the cars on the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad, and in a few hours was in Jackson.

On arriving there she proceeded to the Bowman House, and purchasing a newspaper eagerly scanned the columns to find an advertisement of rooms to rent, knowing full well that, with her limited means, she would never be able to remain at the hotel, or live at a boarding house.
After looking for some time, without finding the desired advertisement, her eye at last lit upon the following notice under the heading of "To rent:" "TO RENT, "Unfurnished rooms in the one-story tenement buildings on -- -- street.

For particulars, apply to the undersigned at his office on Main street, near the State House.
JAMIE ELDER." After reading it she folded the paper, and remained musing for several minutes, when rising up she went to her children, and, kissing them, told them she was going out for a few minutes, and to play like good children until her return.

She then left the hotel, and, after some little trouble, at last found out the office of Mr.Elder, which she entered.
"Is Mr.Elder in ?" she inquired of a clerk.
"Yes, madam," he replied.
"Can I see him ?" she asked.
He gave her no answer, but going to an adjoining door, half opened it, and announced, in a loud voice, that a lady desired to see Mr.Elder.
"Admit her," was the reply of that gentleman.
Mrs.Wentworth passed the desk, and, entering the room from whence the voice proceeded, found herself in the presence of Mr.Elder, who was seated in an arm chair reading a newspaper.
"Be seated, madam," he said, rising and handing her a chair.