The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-05-26

| the stage. If she had fancled that such
construction could be put upon her
running away she would have stayed
or have returned again to clear herself
| of that. Arthur, she is pure as crys..
tai. am sure of it. know it. Shall
| I bring her here?"
"Tell her," said Tregarthen, huskily
-"tell her this before she comes. l
have only day or two to live. Hush,
Phil! No disclaimers can alter it. II
she can come here, if she cares to
come here, and tell me have wronged
her, I will believe her. I shall know
all about it by and by, but l will be-
lieve her. For my share in the fault
and folly l have borne enough to be
forgiven"
'Artfur," asked Phil, "why do you
speak like this? Why do you tell me
you are dying? You only need shake
off the fancies that Cypress you to be
happy and well and strong again"
''The doctor comes here" returned
Tregarthen, with CHASTITY smile, land
prescribes food l can't eat, medicine 1
can't drink and occupations which arc
impossible. l am dying, Phil, and
there is an end of it. l am glad to
60. This lingering taking leave is pain
full, but have been patient too long to
grow impatient now. There-go and
do your errand, Phil Prove, me twice
fool, and kill what earthly longing
may be lie it,"
To Pills mind the tragedy was too
complete for anything to add to it. The
boatmen rowed him back to Gorbay,
and he found Mrs. Tregarthen pale and
trembling with suspense, but self-pos-
sessed."
Tell me-" she commanded, "what
he said. You told hixl was here?"
Hard as it was 20 do it, he told hcl
all. She took the wondering child by
the hand and arose. She had not re-
moved her trayeling-drcss, and there
was no time lost in preparation. Phil
led the way silently through the sum
lit street, and down to the beach, The
waters sparkled softly, and the island
was all amber and amethyst in the sun,
for there was a little haze abroad, which
gave the effect of distance. They land
ed at the Sea-gate, and she remembered
her first coming there, and the last
time of here leaving, and the years that
had passed since then looked like
very gulf of time. When she stepped
upon the sands her limbs almost re-
fused to support her. but Phil lent her
an arm, and she walked to the house,
trembling. The housckeeper had seen
them approach, and half guessed who
the yelled lady might be. She stood
at the door with disturbed face, but
her expression changed to one of I'M
mixed wonder when she saw the child.
Phil, with Mrs. Tregarthen clinging
to his arm, walked down the corridor
to Tregarthen's room; and there, hay
ing raped once, he threw open the
door and surrendered his charge. The
actress and her child entered, and he,
having closed the door, went away.
Tregarthen, with his hollow eyes and
gaunt face, his jutting beard and neg
lected hair, was so unlike himself that
for moment his wife scarcely knew
him, though they were so near to each
other and each was entangled in the
others glance.
"Arthur!" she said. "Arthur!'
She was on her knees at his side.
He looked at her with intent inquiry,
and at the same time reached out a
hand for the child and drew her toward
him.
CLARA" he said, after dreadful
pause, you gave me right to doubt
you. You gave me a right to hate the
world and throw my life away. 1 am
dying, and know it. There is no one
here before whom you need pretend.
l shall know every thing in an hour or
two. 1t is not worth while to deceive
me for so brief time. Tell me the
truth. Why did you leave me?"
II had deceived you," she answered,
still entangled by his glance. Il knew
that you could never love nor respect
me any more. 1 could not bear to think
of it, and l ran away"
"Did l marry an honest woman,
Clara?n He had a right to ask the
question, and she knew it.
'This little child" she said, sis no
purer than was when we married,
Arthur"
"You can say that to a dying man,
and with your arm about the child?"
II can say it, Arthur, in Gods hear
ing, and call Him to witness that
speak the truth"
He turned away, with a weak gesture
Of head and hands.
"Shipwrecked," he murmured, "by
collision with bubble! That sounds
strange, Clara. And the ship went
down as though it had struck upon
solid rock. Is it of any use that the
ghosts who wash up against each other
after all these years should make a pre-
tense of being alive again?"
If this were but Il poor accumulation
for two mortal hearts, it was yet all
that was allowed them for the time.
Tregarthen was so weak that he fell
asleep after a few minutes in silence,
and his wife watched him with such
thoughts and regrets as may be fancied.
He slept till evening, and at dusk the
housekeeper dared to enter the room
and put light to the materials for a
fire which lay ready in the CRATE. The
child cried at this strange home-com-
ing, and her mother soothcd her; and
when the room was ruddy with the fire.
light Tregarthen awoke.
phil he said, softly, without rails
ing his -'where is PHILIP"
''Shall l send for himp' asked Mrs.
Tregarthen.
you are here?" he asked, turning
his eyes upon her. eve wasted day
or two of pleasure here. We shall
have time enough TO know each other
better. Where is PHILIP"
She moved quietly to the corridor;
and there was poor Phil, walking up