The decision to do so had been met by a terrible row at home, and was only accomplished by Blanche coming over to Philadelphia and actually carrying Ethel off in spite of the opposition of the stepfather and son, which became so much of a quarrel that the elder Macrane, losing his temper, attempted to strike Blanche, and was only prevented by the interference of the mother and son.
Blanche had carried Ethel off, but not until both father and son had threatened that it would not end with that.
Further inquiry on the part of Ida showed that the elder Macrane was a man of almost ungovernable passion, while the son was in much better control of himself, but was sullen, determined and vindictive.
Ida left this lady intending to confirm this story by further inquiries, and, indeed, did so in parts by three subsequent calls.
She said to herself, that at the present rate of progress she was making, she would be able to return so as to arrive in New York by midnight at least.
It was now just growing dark when she set out for the next name on the list.
CHAPTER XVIII.
IN DURANCE VILE.
Ida was led a little distance from the neighborhood in her next call, and to a part of the city that differed in appearance from that in which, up to this hour, she had spent her time.
It was more sparsely settled, the houses further apart and the buildings larger.
As she reached the address of the person she was next to call on, she was met by a rather rough-looking young man, who asked her who she was looking for.