Weekly commercial herald., 1885-07-10

formed, had lett ever 50 loug-iefb without !
giving an address, Herveys heart gre1
sick. In bis haste to once more tnato tSa |
luxuries Of lif0 ho had been too pracipitata.
He knew that unless be could find the persia
40 wanted " would havo been better for kirn
TO have kept bis good conduct money intacs.
Tho womanof the house, who noticed biz
dismay, added that the shop at the corner
might know what had become Of Miss Mar
tin; SO to tho shop he went. He was in luck
Helearncd thet his friend lived about 3 nsiia
away; moreover, that she was now 4IFs.
Humphreys. As he heard this supplement-
a-y piece Of news the man laughed so curl
cusly that the shopwoman eyed him ask
ance.
He walked to the new address, that Of an
other little hoa5e in another quiet street. He
knocked. A goodloching, respectable young
woman, carrying baby, and followed by q
todtlling child, opened the door. She gavo
low cry, and staggered back against the
wall. Hervey raised his hat with mock
politeness, and without invitation entered
the house. The woman called to some one,
who came and relioved her Of her children.
She then opened the door Of sitting-room,
into which she followed her visitor. Hervey
threw himself on chair, and looked sc che
woman with satirical smile. As yet not
word had passed between them, The man
was the first to break silence.
"Well, Fanny he said mockingly, $50
you are married, and have forgotten ae?'
mo; am trying to forget you" She
spoke bitterly.
"And you can't That's a compliment,
considering the years Of separation"
The woman looked at him in the face.
Maurice" she said, II am married. ]
married kind, true man, who loves me,
and works for me and for our children. He
know a great deal, not all about my past, vet
he took ne and trusts me. You VIII sneer
when tell you am trying to be a good
woman end q good wifo You always sneereG
at anything good. But, Maurice, for the
sake Of what wc were once to each other
spare no now. Let me live in peace, and see
You no more"
She spoke In solemn earnest such earnest
ness that tho mans light laugh seemed dis
cordant. my dear girl, he said, 81 have
no wish to tempt your feet from the paths
Of domestic virtue-no wish to harm you. !
have finer fish to fry. But you may remem.
Der that when certain circumstances rem.
6ered it imperative-curse It'll can speak
plainly to you-when learned that the war.
rant was cut, VIXEN / knew that the game
was up, placed little packet in your fon6
hands to keep until better times. Where is
itgr
Tho woman flushed, and for a moment die
not answer. Her prayer for mercy had beer
| genuine; her wish to see him no moro ar
honest utterance; but years ago she hac
| given this man all woman has to give
given it without consideration, without
price. And now, so far as ho was concerned
tho only memory of the past which linked
them together was but Of certain thing lef
in her charge.
He saw the flush, he saw the hesitation
and, of course, attributed both to tho wronj
motive. his brow grew black. "By G-dI
he cried; Iii it Is not forthcoming
She burst into tears. wait" she said
quitting tho room abruptly, and leaving he
visitor in dire suspense. In few minute
she returned and handed him o small scale
packet.
''There 1t is-just as you gave it to m
that night, she said "Many time whe
I've been hard pressed, aad did not knoV
where to turn to for shilling, tried
persuade myself that you meant me to use
in case Of need. But ! knew you too vel
Maurice Il knew you too welln
Hervey paid no heed to her last words, th
scorn conveyed by which should hay
brought the blood to the cheek Of any ma
of decent feelings. He toro the parcel oper
1t contained a gold watch and chain, tw
valuable diamond rings and about a hur
|
fob then tried to draw the rings On his flI
gers. Neither would pass over his enlarge
knuclSlcs, so with a curse he shoveled then
along with the gold, into his pocket. Tt
woman watched him sadly.
"Thank you, my dear,' he said airily
'I knew could trust you. By the by, pc
haps you're hard up Have some-I can g
plenty more" He held out some gold to be
''Not farthing. Your gold would bur
me-"
''Will you give me kiss for the SAX, c
old timosl Fancy it is more than four year
since my lips have touched a womal's"
She made an emphatic gesture Of disSen
sIt would be well for some women, she sal,
"if your lips had never touched theirs.
He laughed an unpleasant laugh. "Wel
goodbye then, if we are not to rake up o
fires. Remember moto your respectable hu
band. Keep yourself unspotted from I'll
world, and train up your children in the we
they should 60. Farewell"
He swung out Of the house whistling
merry tune In voguo when his incarcerati tiC
began. "Now, y he said, "that have mons
enough to last long time, can make II
own terms. Grim want won't pusa me in
corner. Now, you jade, I'll make "
bend your proud kneesw
He grated his strong teeth and stamped b
foot-the litter 50 violently and vicious
that timid old gentleman who was close
him started of at an accelerated pace in u
direction Of distant policeman.
Hervey hung about London for few day
I He made considerable additions to his war
5 robe, was an excellent customer Of the hot
he patronized several theatres, and general
enjoyed himself. He was not altogether i'd
| part Of his time being taken up in making
l series Of inquiries which it took sone trout
to get answered. At last ho learned what
i wanted to know. "Soncarln he muttere
S 81 feared Ishould have to look out of En-
land Forthwith be paid his hotel bill, an
5 carrying with him the respect of the pr
? prictor. left the house. Evening found hi
J. in comfortable quarters in the smoky Old ci
= known as Blacktown.
t CHAPTER XIX
q ..IT HAS COME"
$ At Blacktown Maurice Hervey did n