The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1885-07-24

cluIDp OF yellow rose OuSHeSs up
on the velvety green carpet of soft
grass the baby-bOy, now able TO
walk was toddling around the great,
red rose bushes, which we're scarce
ly higher than his own curly hair.
Isadora was hiding first behind
one side of the rose bush, and then
the other, and the delighted child
would walk gleefully to the side
where she was hidden, and the mo-
ment his eyes fell upon her he
would shout with childish glee and
rush into her arms, clinging to her
neck aud covering her lips with
kisses.
She in turn would strain him to
her heart, return his kisses, then re-
lease him only to enact the scene
again.
BY and by Mr.. Stanhope drew
gently nearer and heard Isadora
say, as she kissed the boy:
II love you, little Chtfey Stan
hope, and l love TO speak your
name, because it is his name. Alb,
little darling! you do not know
that l love you so dearly because
you are his boy. l lovo you Clitfey,
and l love your papa, tOo," and
looking up she met the passionate
eyes of Cliffe Stanhope.
With shrek she would have
fled, but he detained her, and al
most before he was aware of it she
was held closely to his breast and
her head plllowed there, while he
was telling her how dear she was to
him, and asking her to be his bride
and the mother of his boy.
She contented. and bewildered
by the joy of the new love he for
got the old, and with it the promise
to the dead.
Nor did he ever know that the
garden scene had been rehearsed
every day for week for his espe-
cial benefit.
Yet so it was, and the actress Isa-
dora had seen him when he came
down tho farm road. and knew that
he was Watching her when she ut
tered those passionate words to his
boy.
But they we're married in a fort.
night alter the declaration in the
gaIden, aud lsadora became mis-
tress of the stately city home,
which had been the pI Ioperty of his
first wife.
One month after their marriage
he was obliged to leave home on
business of the utmost Importance.
The credit of the firm was threat
eued through the rascality OF one
OF their agents, and it was necessa-
ry for one OF the firm to go to a
distant city.
With real sorrow he tore himself
away from home, promising to re-
turn within "a month. No sooner
bad he left the house than his wife
ordered the nurse to take the child
into her room and leave it there.
And after that day she attended
to it with her own cruel hands till
therOsy, happy child was Ouly a
shadow of It's former self, and the
happy little face WAS thin, aud the
great, sorrOwtul eyes looked fright
ened and sad. What had she done I
She had given it laudanum 20
still its blood, and when it a woke
she had met its cries with blows
upon its tender flesh until it was
afraid TO utter sound, aud could
only look its terror from the wistful
eyes.
"Pll have you out of the way be.
fore your foolish sther comes home,
and the property will be all mine.
For can easily persuade Cliffe to
make a will, giving it all to me, in
these honeymoon days." she said,
looking into the baby's face.
The child turned Its great shad-
owy eyes upOu her, and cried out
"Papap
But she instantly slapped it vio-
lently upon both sunkeu cheeks,
aud the voice was hushed.
"My love for you, Isadora, caused
me to hasten my business with all
possible dispatch, aud l thought to
surprise you, but find myself sur
prsed. What have you done 20 my
childf" 1t was Cliffe StanhOpe re-
turning, who stood looking in the
doorway, and who had heard the |
cruel words of his wife.
"The child is SICK" replied the
woman.
81 heard your threats, alI,1 be
cried, bis voice rising from a high,
clear tone, which betOkened the |
white heat of his anger, to the |
heights Of passion.
The nurse came into the room
, iying;
al was not to blame, Mr. Stan
hope. Your wife would have the
the baby in there, aud / would weep
and cry when she slapped the pref
ty cheeks and heightened the life
cut of It. Aud the laudanum she
gave il vas awful.0
IsadOra stood with a defiant air.
"Leave my house, madame !"
cried the husband.
al will not. II is my house" she
replied. al married you to obtain
possession Of your wealth, Aud
| would have murdered You after
he viii was made.5
tifa.ayo my house. monstar ~ he