St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-07-31

lie drew from MS DfeaSC-DOcket d
photograph of the child, and Phil upon
his first glance at it gave little ex-
clamation.
"With a change of costume" he
said, regarding the picture attentively,
land another arrangement of the hair,
it might pass as photograph from the
picture;" and indeed the likeness was
remarkable.
He wrote letter that night (though
he had little hope of piercing the dark
ness in Arthur's mind), in which he
told how he had that day for the first
time learned of the existence OF a
daughter of Mrs. Tregarthen's, how
the surprising likeness OF the child to
Tregarthen had appealed to him, and
how he had been moved again by this
new knowledge to write in behalf Of
most unhappy and virtuous lady. lie
inclosed the photograph; and having
posted the letter with his own hands,
awaited response, without much hope.
When it came he experienced shock.
my dear Phil" Tregarthen's brief
| letter ran, Goods hand has so nodded
my child S face that should be fool as
well as villain to deny her. She at
least is mine 1t may be that you are
right and that | have been mistaken.
| | shall resolve that doubt before long,
for am dying
Whether this news were true OF IAN
| ciful he could not tell, and he could
| not set his mind at rest except by an
immediate return to Tregarthen, but
| before he started he must see Marsh and
| consult with him, if only for a mo-
ment.
eff he is dying" said Marsh, who
| could not share PILLS doubt, not
| guessing at the reason he had for
doubling, or even knowing that he
doubted '''she should know it, and
should let her own heart decide whether
she shall see him."
you have known her longer said
Phil, "and better than l have. You can
take the letter to her. If she should
decide to 60, she may accept my es-
cort."
Marsh accepted the errand, and full
filled it. In effect Mrs. Tregarthen de-
cided to see her husband, if he would
receive her; and she and her child, in
| Pills charge, started upon the journey.
! 1t was now thirteen years since she had
SO foolishly run away from home and
happiness, darkening her own life and
| the life of the man who loved her. But
! that had never seemed her crime. Her
| real folly was hidden in the shadow of
the mere reticence which had always
seemed criminal. Perhaps, since she
felt it so. and had always felt it so, her
sin really lay there, though few people
would have cared to characterize it by
so harsh name. She had reaped fame
and riches and a heart full of regrets,
| and none of the purposes for which she
had lived had seemed worth much to
her, except in SO far as they seemed to
| avenge Arthur. and then they became
valuable.
Phil left her, with her child and her
maid, at one of the hotels; at Gorbay,
| and crossed to the island alone to spy
out the land before her. Tregarthen
sat where he had sat be1Rre, and Phil
supposed at first that his downward
gaze was still directed at bit of crys-
tai, but when he drew neK he saw the
child's photograph in the YNher's hand.
He had knocked at the door, and had
received no response, and now he had
to lay his hand upon Arthl IRIS shoulder
to arouse him from his reverie. He was
startled at the hollow eyes and the
gaunt face which turned toward him.
''You are here again, PHILIP" said
Tregarthen, in a Understanding voice.
II am glad of that. I wanted to see
you again, but l did not care to ask you
to come"
II came because of your letter, Ar
thur answered Phil. THAT is the
photograph sent you?"SN
Eyes
II have brought your sittle daughter
with me- said PIN +remulously.
''Would you like to SCI ae 80
"Yes,'' said Tregart Akn. 81 should
il Like sbs to see her. Bring % me- Where
II left her at Gorbay,' returned
Phil. 'sArthur, your wife is with her.
She longs to see you. She never knew
till lately that you suspected her of
worse than that deceit of hers about
the stage. If she had fancied 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 as pure as crys-
tai. I am sure of it. / know it. Shall
bring her here?"
Tell her, said Tregarthen, huskily
-etell her this before she comes. |
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 I will be-
lieve her. For my share in the fault
and folly ] have borne enough to be