The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-04-25


that went past me. for he saw only the
other woman beyond--he spoke of the
money he had settled on me-all rs II
were miles away. | who had been so
near to him MS il might be yesterday.
Ard however honest she might be, she
could be no more honest than | was
when he met me lirst--the world might
count me bad, but he knew better than
that. and she could love him no more
faithfully than did. think the one
poor kiss that cove,ed. but was too
proud to beg for. wouldn't have harmed
her If she had heen rs good woman as
you are. and my baby was born upon
his fathers wcdding-day."
And did he know" cried Madcap,
her heart on fire with pity for the wo-
man, with condemnation for the man.
Who was 10 tell him. said Hester.
my father never knew with whom L
had fed, nor did Janet. my foster-sis-
ter. TO her--when she came at my
summons told nothing. fearing that
her wild love for me would impel her to
some lawless deed of vengeance upon
him, and it did, only the punishment
fell upon me.
Aud SO he never knew said Mad
cap, looking straight before her; land
perhaps she believes him to be good, and
loves him.
Men like him are always loved"
said Hester. II heard of her once. She
was yOung-little more than child. |
think she must be something like you;
and her hair had sunbeams in it, they
said"
You are better than am cried
Madcap. her hands clasped tightly to-
gether, her gray eyes flashing. II
should hate her think | should wish
to make her suffer too.
"She couldn't have harmed me but
for my own sim" said Hester sadly:
land | swore to his friend that |
wouldn't harm her. or tell her; and
kept my word. When he begged and
prayed with me neverto let that knowl-
edge darkcn her life, something good
seemed TO come into my soul. / said to
myself, I'm wicked woman, but I'll
do as much for her as a good one could
have done. and | won't break her heart
Only when | thought She might have
got children like him. felt TO hate her.
lIark." she cried suddenly. don't you
hear Childrens voices? They're COM
ing this way" and she sprang to her
feet. a great light of eagerness and love
breaking out on her features. Per
haps-perhaps one of them may be like
what my little baby would have been if
he had lived 10 grow up. I've looked
for him so long, she added wistfully,
''all the world over. | think; Id never
found anything like him yet.'
She parted the boughs and looked
out. Dody and Doune came dancing
through the shadows hGnt in hand,
their voices preceding shem as they
came. Doune was imprc2:;ng on Dody
that the latter did not understand rid
dies. ard therefore was not competent
TO propose to their mother; but Dody
maintained "A contrary opinion, and
pleaded to be given trial. Though
to be sure" he added, with shout of
glee, "mummy'll nerer guess it.''
Suddenly the boughs were thrust
aside. and Hester, stepping out. ran to
the startled children, and down she fell
on her knees before one of them, and
Rugged him all up together to her
breast, then put him from her, gazing
wildly on his features. then pushed the
clustering hair from his brow, and
caught one of his little hands and twin
ed 1t round her neck, then dropped her
brow on his soft neck: MY child"
she cried in a voice of rapture-''it's
my child come back TO me from the
dead!''
Dody stretched his arms toward Mad
cap. Mammal he said, scared by
Testers wild look and feverish clutch;
she loOsed him and looked up, CLEAN
as of heaven shining athwart her face.
do you heary' she said; lit was not
my baby that Janet drowned in the
poOl-eyes. lips. hair, all are my child's;
she told me a lie, but III forgive her,
and he knows his mother"
Mummy" cried Dody, once more
struggling to. escape, while Madcap,
fearing to permit the illusion to con-
tinue, yet dreading to awaken her from
it, knelt down beside the pOordistrauht
woman and said:
1T is not your little baby-but yeu
shall love him as you willard lie will
YOU"
Over Testers face look of awaken
ing ,came-slowly her arm relaxed, and
DOdy ran to clutch his mothers neck,
while with his little soft hand he patted
her cheek and kissed her fOndly. "Mum-
N.Y." he said, "dedr mummy"
He calls you mother, too" said Hes
ter slowly; but he is mine, mine
speak, or shall 60 mad" she cried,
Selling Madcap's arm; is he not miner"
NO." said Madcap gently; The is my
child-it is a chance resemblance that
has misled YOU"
"A chance resemblance" cried Hes
ter in a terrible tone; ''he is either my
child or my child's brother-and you
are his mother? Oh! it is impossible
he Is mine, say. And who are you
what are you-that you say you are his
mother?"
For moment her eyes seemed flames
that drank up Madcap's tears of pity
"His father then-is--must be-"
MY husband is Mr.. Eyre" said Mad
cap, feeling as though Testers eyes
beckoned her over hideous precipice,
at whose base life. love and happiness
must needs be shattered for ever more.
Neither had perceived Frank ap-
preaching with steps that devoured the
distance, but at this moment he reach
ed them, and seizing Hester by the arm,
lifted her from the ground, and with
out word dragged her away.
Poor 'ooman," said Dody, looking
after them; ~ hope he won't hurt her.
Wonder if that's the one daddy punish
ed the other day, ell, mummyYp
Mother" said Doune, returning
from prolonged chase after yellow
butterfly, we've got riddle to ask you:
What's a cat got, no other animals