The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-06-20
MA DCAP;
% r.
THE STORY OF A SIN.
By HELEN u. MATHERs.
Or

knowledge OF her journeys end than of
the deed that had sped her on her way?
He it was who, with iron will, had
taken matters into his own hand from
the moment lie had discovered the crime
he who had administered chloroform
to her i'll the very instant OF her return
TO consciousness, so that she had scarce
ly felt one pang ere sinking into obliv~
ion; and this he had done so ruthlessly,
so entirely against the Doctors com
mands, that he had been warned 10y
him that it would be murderif she died
Il will abide by the ISSUE" Mr.. Eyre
had said, and the whole night through
never lett her side, till with the strug-
CLING dawn had come new life, and
Madcap had awakened to that ease of
body that in cruelty hurt people sos0f-
ten precedes death.
If q pang seized his heart to think
that somewhere she would awaken
lonely, unprepared- not looking to the
glory beyond, but backward, stretching
out ner arms to those dear ones from
whom she had set out with no word of
parting, he put the thought by-she had
no sin TO repent sOf-0thers could pray
for her, and deep down in the mans
stubborn heart struggled vague inarti-
.culate cries-it is by our human affec-
lions that we struggleup tothose spirit
'ual yearningsd IN which we recognize
God.
"I'm so tireS,,n she said, ssbus / don't
want to fall asleep Just yet-it seems
almost wicked to be so perfectly happy,
as II one must be paid out for 1T by and
'by-there was only one little thing, and
that has come straight too, just in time
but I'll tell you about that when 1
wake up-and you won't be angry with
her any more. And you'll tell Frank
how well L am, and how happy--some-
how l had an instinct last wight, that
something was going to happen-I'm
afraid my little baby woc't be very
i"but we'll take such care of her-yOu
and land you always thought you
could love something that was like me!'
How quiet you are" she said, after
little pause, in which ihe ecstasy
Of spirit that possessed her, rose higher;
"but you've had long, trying night
lay your head down on my shoulder,
and we'll Both go to sleep-but should
like to see the children first" q -
They shall come presently" he said,
selfish in his love for her to the last, and
grudging each priceless moment that
was mot given to himself
How fond they will be of her." she
said, a faint smile gathering on her
beautiful, wan lips; land when 1 get
up, shall be able to run about, and
jump and play as / used to do when you
called me your Madcap, and I'll lead
you to many dance yet" the dimples
showed in her white cheeks-"but you'll
catch me up, as you always did, how
ever much | might seem to get ahead
at first and Christmas Hscoming, the
happiest Christmas | shall ever have
known
Would it be? o, Godl il lie could only
be sure Of that-if he could only know
that however miserable himself, some
where she was happy-his one earthly
stake had been her happiness, and if he
won that, at whatever cost to himself
he might surely be reckOned man not
worsted by fate, but victorious, since
upon himself only fell the punishment
Of his sin.
II think could sleep now, ," she said;
and her voice was weaker than it had
been few minutes ago; "'but you'll
call the children first" then lay with
her eyes fixed on the door, listening for
the little footsteps that sOOp were heard
approaching.
body came dancing in, half blessed,
and ran to her. laughing; but Doune,
who understood better, stood just with
in the threshold, his lip hanging, and
his heart pierced by a trouble that he
only vaguely understood.
Dody had climbed upon the bel, and
thrown his arms round her neck, then
crept under the coverlid, and driving
it up about his neck, tried to nestle to
her side, and shut his eyes.
''Seep wiz mummy" he said. sis
700 quite comf'ble?v he added, willing
that his father would take his arm away,
and so let him creep the closer to her
side.
She pressed the little curly heat to
her bosom, and kissed it; then becion-.
ed to Doune, who came slowly, and
looking at her with an earnestness hat
somehow threw a new light ON his
character, and made her kiss him all
the more tenderly for the thought hat
hitherto she had ,undervalued his afc-
When Josephine had placed a little
white bundle in her arms, she whispe-
ed to Mr.. Eyre, you'll kiss her first
and this he did,. but STOPPING his hea
in such fashion that she could not Sc
his face, while on either side OF her tn
little brothers gazed with awe on tn,
mysterious atom that father had actual
ly condescended to kiss.
you've got sister, my sweet
hearts," she said, as Dody came close
and looked in the tiny face that alread!
seemed to have something of her owl
look; land you'll love her, and be kline
to her" =,
But while Dody tried to take tn
baby out of Madcaps arms, Doun
stood aloof, somehow convinced that i
was the cause of his mothers looking
so sick; and when her arms released
their hold, and the two boys were Lee
away, he was sure she must be very Ill
OF Dody's sobs would have wakenet
her.
She supposed that she must hav
fallen into slumber, when,. after
space, she awoke and found hersel
alone with Mr.. Eyre, his arm still
wound about her side, his head lying o.
her breast. ~ .t.
lie asked if she were in any pain; bu
as the wife of Poetus, who, with calm
smile and death-wonnded heart, wits.
pered to her lord, Sweet, 1t hurts not,
so Madcap, who knew no hurt, laughed
and answered, that she had never fell
so well, or so supremely happy. as now
then. as child who nestles itself close
to the bosom of its mother, too wear.