The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-08-27

ance the good woman's greeting, which be-
gan with nod, ended IN something like a
curtsey,
"Please be seated, miss, she said. ~ hear
You want to speak to me-"
eyes, said Beatrice, In low but clear
voice. II wish TO speak 10 you about tho
child which you claim as yours. wish 10
hear what you have to say,n
Tho woman's face grew grave, "Ah, y she
said, ~ must send for my husband, He's
managing the business"
Beatrice made an imperious gesture OF dis
sent. "What have 20 say must be said %
you. Kindly SEQ that We speak without In
terruptlon,n Mrs, Rawlings settled back in
her chnir rather fullenly, and eyed her yelled
visitor with increased curiosity Suddenly
Beatrice again spokei
"Tell me, she said, in tones of strong re-
proach, and, perhaps unw!sely, scon-"toll
mo why you dare to claim as your own q
child whom you saw for tho first time few
lays agoN
Mrs, Rawlings seemed troubled, Sho could
not 200 her visitors eyes but had tho un-
comfortable feu.,ng that they were gazing
sternly at her, ns II striving TO read tho
truth In her pcrhrbol features,
"Wo lost Il lit.lo boy" hhe faltored out,
a dear llttlo boy Of that age My man is
certain this Is ours,'
'But you-you arc not certain, Aman
may mako a mistake aa 20 his own child, but
not woman Tho mother does not forget
her child, or believe tho child Of q stranger
10 bo her OWN
my man IL 10 certain,n repeated Mrs,
Rawlings, "ho must DO right, Poor fellow,
ever since our boy was lost ho hos boon seek
ing him. high and low, IL has driven him
all but mad at times Now ha has found tie
child, and means 10 have him. sho spoke
tho last sentence somewhat doAantly.
"lIo will never have him" +" said Beatrice,
slowly, "LlGten tome, There Is 10 chance
of your obtaining that boy His mother
lnowsi In whose hands no IN. II your claim
Is pressed, proof as 30 whose tho child really
Ia win be forthcoming. Tho production VIII
cause pain and grief, but that win DO borne,
II needful. SEQ horen-sho drow from her
pocket tho labs! which had been cut or the
chllds cape-"tho person who he's n right TO
that child must produce the haf Of tho card
which lts this When wanted II can bo
produced"
~ know nothing about cards and proofs"
said the woman, whose understanding could
not, perhaps, grasp tho ingenuity Of tho
device. "All know is this, misai my hus-
band swenrs II Il our boy, and believe him,
poor man. Sore enough no has grioved for
two yearI-neyor boon tho Same man fince,"
"Nou douot believe him, said Beatrice,
In tho samo deliberate way, "but for tho
ial;o Of setting his mind at rest You humor
his deluslon, ana aro Wiling TO rob another
woman. You seom 30 DO kind woman, yet
you aro ready TO work irrotrioyablo harm TO
another.n
~ mean no harm 10 any one, miss, II II
ihouldn't be my child. tho mother can't bo
Of much account who could dcsert n pretty
little dear llllo that But there, Two listened
too long, aud perhaps said moro than ]
ought, lfyou liko 10 500 my husband, I'll
send for him.
Mrs. Rawlings roso os II TO terminate tho
audience. Beatrice also roso and faced her.
She threw up her veil, and for tho first timo
during tho interview showed hor faco TO hor
companion.
"No,n she said, with strange vchomonco;
~ havo more, much moro 10 say 20 you.
Look mo In tho face, and feel guro that am
speaking tho truth. What II / toll you that
1know tho mother Of this chlld-know why
II was sent 10 Lakewood Houso-Lmow that
II forced 10 do 80 tho mother will claim II
publicly VIII faco whatever the shame,
rather than yiod ID 10 anothorl Will these
things hayo weight with you, and mako you
persuade your husband 20 lot tho mattor
rOgtp
Her impassionod mnnnor had itsclrect upon
her listener Mrs. Rawlings ldgotcd about,
and her round eyes, which hitherto had
rested wondoringly on Boatrico's facc, woro
cast down.
"Its no use, sho muttorcd, shaking her
hoad. 'Not u bit Of uso. Ho has SIT his
heart on tho boy, Holl say IT'S only o
triok.n
"Thcn havo yet moro TO say Look at
mo again, and listen, Put yourself In my
place, and realize what you compel mo TO do,
tell you tho child Is mino-lt Is mine, Do
You undorstandp
Mrs. Rawlings shook her head focbly
ut Is Mines repeated Beatrice, ~ am It's
mother, Dol speak clearly ououshi That