Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-06-12

as you see, I am not dead, and here
am. Come, lam hungry and thirsty,
give me food and wine, then we will
proceed To business.
The woman obeyed, and proceeded
To spread the table, stealing ever and
anon "A frightened. distrustful look Mt
her husband. but saying not word.
Hubert Malissey, having satisfied his
appetite and qucnched his hirst, turned
round his chair and faced her.
"And now, Margaret, most amiable
wife, you want to know. ! dare say,
what brings me here. You think.
doubtless, It's not love for you now. "
you never showed me any," she
said, with a shudder.
you never deserved any. But to
business They tell me that you have
taken TO nursing other peoples chill
dren. How many have you nowP"
But one. Why do you askPh
because | want the best-the one
most suitable to my purpose. lla, ha!
how YOU look! | don't mean the fat
test; | am not an ogre, and going to
cat it, Oh, no; | will put the sweet
babe TO better use.
"In Heavens name, Hubert, what
mean you?"
"Meanl mean that want yonder
infant asleep in the cradle, and mean
to have it that's all. "
"The child! Unfceling man, you
jest, she cried. 1.-The infant child of
Miriamm
mo, / don't jest, as I'll let you
know. That child is worth a thou
sand ducats; SO you and Miriam, who
ever She may be, must put up with the
loss.
A. he spoke, he moved toward the
cradle; but with cry the woman ran
between the child and him.
mo, no; you shall not touch the
child!"
He seized her by the arm, and exert
ing hi, great strcn 9Th hurled her away.
Listen, woman. nor dare to thwart
me-
She stood motionlcss. lookingsyith
terror on him.
Your own child, where is he-our
child?n
"Claude? safe in the inner room"
she said, looking over her shoulder.
"lla! you think he is safe, do you?
Listen to me. You hope To train up
your child in your own humdrum way.
do you? Educate him, you call it.,
don't you?' he added, sneeringly.
Dare to cross me, and |. his father,
will bring him up, educate him.
You! No, no-IIeaven forbid!' she
cried, in horror.
"Ayo, myself, his father, will train
him up to be a vagabond, a bandit, a
villain like myself. So beware, wo-
mani
Margaret turned deadly pale, and
gasped for breath. Hubert moved
slowly toward the cradle.
YES, train him up to be a man of
violence and blood-a thief, robber.
a murderer-till at last he shall end
his days on the scailold. So once
again, woman, beware!"
AT that moment the sound of wheels
was heard, As a carriage drove down
the street. Hubert hastily took up the
infant, and wrapped IL in his cloak.
Margaret rushed toward him with a
shrek, but he warned her off; and she,
poor woman, terrified at his terrible
words, and still more terrible look, did
not dare TO attempt to prevent him.
The road ran down one side of the
cottage. Large windows descended
nearly TO the grosnd, and were now
open. The carriage stopped, and step
ping ont through these windows, HUI
hort handed thp child 70 a richly
dressed gentleman within. Then the
vehicle drove oil at rapid pace, and
Hubert. re-cntcring the cottage, adj
dressed Margaret who was weeping
and wringing her hands with grief
woman, remember my words
90 now Dare TO breathe to a soul
who took away the child. and your life
is forfeit. And not only your life
that is not all. Rest assured | will
keep my promise with regard to- the
hoy. Remember?'
Then he hurricdly left, and Margaret
was alone with her misery.
what shall say to the poor moth
er? What shall say to Miriam, when
she comes 20 demand her child of me?
Wretch that | am. should have de-
Tended her with my Iifcn'
She threw herself i'm Il chair, and
burying her face in her hands. sobbed
bitterly. Poor woman! her SENSE of
duty, her compassion Tor the feelings
of the poor mother when her loss
should be known. and her own love for
the child. overwhelmed her with grief
TO BE CONTINUED.