The Delta independent., 1888-02-28

ere she sank to the ground. She bore
an infant in her arms.
"Poor thing! poor thing" he MUIR
INJURED compassionately, as he bent
| over her.
At this instant the light rested on
the wanderers pallid face. Oh. what
a cry burst from DR.. Dwire!
Lydia! My Godr'
For an instant he gazed upon the
well remembered face, care worn. but
pretty still. too stunned to move or
speak, his brain in whrl. But her
low moaning recalled him to the i'm
mediate necessities of the case, and he
ran hastily into the house. Stopping
at the door of the housekeeper's rooms.
he called loudly
"Betty! Betty! are you awake?"
'Be that you, Mr.. Dorien?"
Eyes. Betty. There is woman ly-
ing i'll, insensible. in the grounds. and
want your aid"
"All right. sir; I'll be wi ye direct
ly."
Speedily the old housekeeper made
her appearance and DIR. Dwire led her
to the place where Lydia yet lay.
II will carry her, Betty" he said.
hurriedly, land you must carry that"
pointing to the infant as he spoke.
Lord love ye. yes, Mr.. Dorien. Ay.
and there be child. too. Poor miter'
Lifting the inanimate form in his
strong arms, DR.. Dwire followed old
Betty until they reached his own
bright study. where he plac ed his bur-
den on lounge. And all the time h.
kept wondering what old Betty would
do when sh g learned who this woman
was.
The old housekeeper laid the babe
beside its mother. without looking at
either. and fastened away to prepare a
bedroom and light fire. She soon
returned.
"There'll be nice fire in minute,
Mr.. Dorien," she remarked. entering.
"And now I'll make the baby comforta-
BILE. How's the poor lady Pr
She bent and looked at the woman's
face.
"Why, Master Dorien, it's that gal"
she exclaimed, turning almost fiercely
upon him.
:Yes. it's Lydia Leyton." he answer
ed.
"What You knew it. and brought
her here, beneath this roof ?"
"Where else. at this hour. could l
have brought her?"
"Ye might have left her where ye
found her, outside. It's the fittest
place for the likes of her."
"Stop! Have you no charity. wom-
an ?' said her master, sternly.
For them as deserves it." she re-
torted, doggedly. Look. Mr.. Dorien,
I thought as much." pointing at the
white hands. There's no ring and yet
the child's sleeping at her side -
"And for that reason, Betty. she
needs our sorrowing compassion.
Think Of what she was-a bright. pretty,
innocent girl. See what she is-a wan
derer, without home, on such II night.
If she deceived me, she has not yet
been more cruelty deceived ? My good
Betty. barshness to anyone in distress
is not in your nature. Let us forge.
everything except that this poor crea-
ture needs our help"
'.Mr. Dorien. vowed never to for
give her; but as she's here. and as you
wish it, Pll try to forget and do what l
can for her."
Betty was as good as her word. and
spent the night with the unhappy
Lydia In the early dawn she came
again into the study.
WELL" she said slowly, II fancy
she's asleep. now, but what's the
matter with her can't make out. She
jest now looked up. and thought she
must have known me; but she laughed
in my face, and then jibbered some
thing without bit of sense to it."
~ fancy that is dclirium." remarked
DR.. Dwire, gravely. Il will go to her.
How is the child?"
.It's all right, sir. I'll see to it, DR..
Dorien. 1t will have enough to sutIcr
without being made answerable for the
sins of its parents.
The baby face and tiny, waxen
fingers had already taken firm hold up
on old Betty's sympathetic heart
"There!' she whispered, as they en-
tered the room. jest see her, Mr..
Doricn!'
Lydia was propped up in bed, her
hair falling about her, her large violet
eyes wide open, but cxpressionless and
vacant. She was slowly pulling her
hair through her fingers. and gazing
upon it with imbccilc wonder.
A great fear came over the doctor.
"Have you spoken to her, Betty"
he asked in n low tone.
Surely; but she either don't hear or
know, for she jest stares at mo as If l
were a stone"
"Dr. Dwire advanced to the bed"
Lydia" she said, tremulously,
She paid no heed.
He took her hand in his and tried
again.
Lydia, don't you know me-
II