"Oh, wait, wait!" she again tried to call, but her tongue seemed paralyzed.
As she reached the commencement of the long dock, she saw the lines cast off. The great wheels gave a vigorous revolution, and the boat swept away.
She was too late. She staggered forward a few steps more, and then all her remaining strength went into one agonized cry:
"Zell!"
And she fell fainting on the dock.
Zell heard that cry, and recognized the voice. Taking her hand from
Mr. Van Dam's arm, she covered her face in sudden remorseful weeping.
But it was too late.
She had left the shelter of home, and ventured out into the great pitiless world on nothing better than Van Dam's word. It was like walking a rotten plank out into the sea.
Zell was lost!