The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-12-03
him calmly. and waited for him to

speak.
"Maie, / have been here in this
theatre every night this week: to-
night | decided to see you. You
are not happy. can read il in your
face. and / have been touched. /
am not a cruel man, but you have
wounded MY pride. Perhaps you
had better come back, for Berries
sake and your own.
4 But she drew herself up proudly !;
she did not want his pity then.
NO, Philip. she answered "You
severed the bonds between US. and
| | am happier here than / would be
in the old home. For my boys
sake would gladly come, but there
are other things to be considered =
But this life began Philip,
with scornful glance around him.
Il like il" she answered calmly.
1T is not as peaceful as the che /
left but that Is past. | am working
hard for success. but il Is q noble.
inspiring work: you can know neth-
ing of il. | enjoy my studies and
am proud of my fame.
Then you prefer this to the nome
| offer you"
She looked at him with an ex-
preston in her eyes that he under
stood
Yes, now. she said. and without
another word be left her.
For moment she stood there I;
then look Of pathos darkened her
eyes, and her proud lips quivered.
+" He would not ask me for his
own sake, she murmured. He
has not forgiven me perhaps be
never will-never will-never for
give and forget"
Male Denvereis fame rose higher
and higher, until her name was on
every lip, yet always spoken with
kindly praise and respect.
Her fair beauty, her grace, her sill
very voice charmed her hearers, as
her intensity and emotion thrilled
them.
1t was two wears after their last
parting that Philip Carsdale, with
his son. vent abroad. BERTHE was a
beautiful child Of six summers then,
with his fathers patncian face, and
Males dark, pansy-biue eyes.
1t was at Florence Philip Cars
dale. returning from a drive, saw
Bertie and the French bonne beside
a stranger, and the child was talk
ing merrily, with his tiny hand in
the ladv's soft, jeweled one 4 glance
at the face beneath the white plum
ed hat, and Philip started
BeriieH he said sternly.
At the sound of his voice the wo-
man rose and faced him smilingly.
Do not reprove the child; it was
| who drew hin into conversation, "
she said
He looked relieved she had not
disclosed her identity, then. As she
walked away. BERTHE elinging TO the
hand OF his father, and the faithful
nurse behind, Marie Denvere heard
the child say
Don't you know that pretty la
dy. papa ?"
And Philip answered, evasively:
/ have seeni her before, BERTHE, "
and listening. she thought she heard
low breathed sigh.
Early the next morning Philip
Csrsdale went to his wife with an
anxious face
Maie, Bertie is sick he was
taken III during the night" he said,
hurriedly VIII you 60 to him ?"
The next mement she was beside
her child. and took the physicians
orders with quiet eomposure.
For days BERTHE fingered between
life and death, and during that time
Philip Carsdale learned to know and
understand his wife better than he
had ever done before.
In the midst of her vigils her
manager came to hasten her back
to America, but she dismissed him
briefly.
l am not going TO play again,
she said. quietly. Il am tired
need rest Perhaps at some future
day / viii return, but not now
Philip, entering the room, heard
all. He went and stood before her
when the manager had gone, and
looked dowr into her dropping face.
Maie," he said. why have you
done this? Why do you stay here
when fame and fortune are waiting
you elsewhere ?"
IT is nv duty" she said, simply.
Bertie needs me, and so | shall re-
main. Somehow | think l have
lost NY old desires and inspirations.
| snail never return to the stage"
He looked down and spoke in
lowered tones.
VIII you stay-with Us ?" be
asked. slowly Come back to Us.
MAZE, not as / once requested, but
back to the old life and love. Say /
you have forgiven me. Maie?"
How strange to hear him suing
for pardon. But Maie did not feel /
one thrill Of triumph. She only (
took his band and lifted her ewes to 4
his face imploringly.
& Don't deceive yourself, Philip, /
she said | fear-H
Hush p heinterrupted. drawing |
ber TO bis breast. " Let the past be I
forgotten we have vet the future to
live for"
What more TO tell it is always I
thus that true love banishes every /
prejudice, surmounts every obstacle
and makes even a miserable lapse
of years but dim, bitter-sweet
memory, that fades when the new
happiness Of the present dawns and
lights the way to a hopeful future.
As Usual