After this experience came the rescue of Dollie from her abductor, and then, without funds or friends, the girls took up their brave struggle for existence in a city which shows but little mercy to the poor or the unfortunate. For two weeks they had occupied this shabby room, which they obtained, with their board, for eight dollars per week, and during this time poor Marion had been very busy, for it was chiefly her information that secured the indictment against her sister’s abductor. “Thank goodness there’s nothing more to be done in that direction,” she said, wearily. “That dreadful Mr. Lawson, or ‘Dabroski,’ as he calls himself, is safe in jail, and the Chief of Police tells me that it will be some time before he is brought to trial. Justice is so slow,” she added, plaintively, “but then, it is sure, so there’s no use in getting impatient. I’ve been to seven places to-day in my search for work. Oh, I am sure I will get something soon! I don’t see how I can help it!” “You are just wearing yourself out, dearie,” said Dollie, remorsefully. “You look a lot older than you did at home. Oh, dear, to think that I should be the cause of all your worry!” “Hush, Dollie!” cried Marion, “you are not to blame, sister, and, oh, I am so glad that it isn’t any worse!” Her beautiful face flushed scarlet as she made this admission. Dollie’s blue eyes filled with tears and her lids drooped heavily. “It’s bad enough, I am sure, but please don’t speak of it. You love me just the same, don’t you, sister?” she cried, piteously. Her loving sister rushed over to her and kissed her penitently. “Forgive me, dear, but I can’t help thinking of it sometimes! It is perfectly awful, and to think the papers are full of it!” “They have been for two weeks,” said Dollie, sighing, “but they have been so kind in their judgment of me, I can never be too grateful to them. Still, I am glad we changed our names when we came to this house! If our fellow-boarders knew who we were they would probably snub us!” “Well,” cried her noble sister, scornfully, “I should not care for that. We have done no wrong, why should we be scorned by them?” “It is the way of the world, I guess,” said Dollie, sadly, “for even my own father and mother condemned me before they knew I was guilty.” “Oh, just hear this!” cried Marion, who had picked up the evening paper; “poor Mr. Ray’s father was buried to-day! The grief has killed him! And what do you think, Miss Ada Ray’s lover has thrown her over, and all on account of her sister’s misfortunes! Oh, I can hardly believe it! It is too utterly abominable!” She threw down the paper in a burst of anger. She could not tolerate injustice, it made her furious to think of it.