The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-07-10

by the open window playing with the
its sill; he was talking merrily as en-
tered, and looked the personification of
life and good spirits. A girl was stand
ing by tho mantcl-piece with her back
toward me, and had barely time TO adj
mire the slight figure and graceful pose,
before Crawford's voice rang out in
hearty cordiality.
"Ah! there you are at last! Let me
introduce you to my wife. Beatrice,
this Is Mr.. John Lennox."
She had half turned when he began
spcaking; but as he said my name, she
gave n sudden gasp and confronted me
with large, startled eyes. have seen
the eyes of shared bird and those of II
hunted stag, but have never seen such
q look of piteous fear as dwelt in hers
then. For one moment she seemed
half mad with terror; but the next it
fled rs quickly as 1t came, and she held
out her hand in greeting. As she did
SO an ugly scar on the smooth, white
wrist caught my eye. 1t looked to me
like an unskillful but intentional cut
from knife, and while we were ex-
changing commonplaces as to my Jour-
ney, ETC., l was wondering whether she
had ever attempted her own life. She
was in the first flush of her womanhood,
and her glorious blue eyes and coil of
auburn hair would alone have sufficed
to stamp her as n beautiful woman, had
1t not been that the curious expression
of her face outweighed every other fas-
cination. She gave me the impression
OF being literally consumed by a terrible
dread, to the nature of which l, OF
course, as yet held no clew; and with
this dread an equally strong desire to
suppress all outward indication of it.
Add to this the fact that her face was
entirely colorless, and that the hand she
gave me, in spite of the warm June
sunshine, was cold as ice, and it will be
seen that my first case promised to be
full of interest.
She poured out the tea silently, while
her husband and l went on chatting,
and she did not speak again until he
pro posed to ring the nursery bell.
1--WE have not seen BERTHE all day."
he added, "and know you would like
to show him Oft to Lennox'"
HE is having his tea," she rejoined
quickly. "Show him off in the morning,
Arthur; don't think we want him
now."
go fie! there is an unkind mammal
/ wonder what BERTHE would say to you!
He can finish his tea here, dear; I'll
fetch him."
"No, no; I'll CO." She ran out oi
the room as she spoke; and Crawford
turned to me with weary-looking
smile.
"You see, Lennox, l generally give
way; but l am afraid it is growing
upon her. He is such splendit
fellow!' As he spoke his wife returned
with the boy in her arms
81 met him in the hail." she ex
planned; she was just coming in from
his walk. No, Arthur; don't tax,
him; he is not at all heavy" This last tt
her husband who had advanced will
outstretched hands. "Look here
BERTHE, darling. Who likes cake?'
She seated herself on low chair, still
keeping jealous arm around tn,
child. and went on talking. thi
time to me. ''Arthur and quarre
over this small boy She laughed .
little, but it sounded very mirthless
1.-THE last cause of disscntion is hi
health. l think he is growing delicat,
and wants change, and papa doesn'
agree. Does he, my beautyp"
The boy laughed as she held him We
more closely to her; and looking at hi
rosy cheeks and bright eyes, it seemed
to me that there could not be healthie
youngster.
II am afraid Imust take papa's side.
/ said. "You must not alarm yoursel
unnecessarily, dear Mrs. Crawford. TO
l think" stopped abruptly, alarme,
by the expression on her face. l wa
new at my work, be it remembered: br,
l think that older men than woult
have been frightened. Rertie had re
belled against the retaining arm; anC
sliding on the floor, had run to hi
father and climbed into his arms.
A fine game of romps now ensued
and the mother sat and watched them
Sitting there facing her, /, too, wa
watching. In my student days, ha,
kept a tame lizard, and by whistling t,
it, had been able to direct its move
ments at will, and now was reminded
of my whilom pet by watching Beatrice
Crawfords eyes. Every motion of he
husbands, as he ran round the room
tossing the laughing boy in his arms
appeared to hold fascination for her
and her gaze never left him but once
That once was when she walked swift,
to further table and possessed hersel
of paper-knife, which she handed t,
me, commenting on its curious make
1t was of steel and sharply pointed; ant
/ handed it back again with the remark
that it would make nasty weapon j
needed She took it without glancin,
at me again; but her husband hal
caught her words, and now came up t,
US breathless and laughing, with Berti,
clinging around his neck.
"Don't hold that thing, my darling,
he said, tenderly. ~ hate to see sucl
an ugly knife in your dear little hands.
"Give it to BERTHE, mamma" erie,
the child, stretching dimpled hands TO
the coveted treasure; and his father
with an injunction to be careful, wa
taking it from her to give to him. when
with muttied cry, she snatched tn
knife back and dashed it through til
open window into the garden beyond.
You shan't have it!-yo9 shan't hay
it!'' she cried, cxcitedly, while brigh
red spot burned on either cheek. "Yo
would -" With marvellous self-con
troll. she stopped dead short; and afte
an almost imperceptible pause, she add
ed, in her usual quiet tones: "Pray
forgive me, Arthur; l am so afraid q
BERTHE hurting himself. Go up to tn
nursery, dear. Mamma will come t
Il you." Ie'er.H lan