The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-07-28

came with as little delay as possible. But with respect to the children, who, through no fault of their own, were placed in such cruel position, they should be taken care of.
 "Would you take my children away from me-these young children, madame?" asked Denise, whose face had become sombre and charged with something like despair.
 "Oh, we don't seek the responsibil- ity," said Lady Jones, with a cruel calm. "It is for you to ssy--",
 "Ah, what shall say?" cried Denise pressing her hands to her forehead. How could she endure to part from her children, who had been the chief solace of her life; and yet she began to feel the iron bands of necessity enfold- ing her heart. What future was there for her and her children but poverty and wretchedness? From this she could save them in sacrificing herself. The mental contest was a bitter one, but it could end only in one way.
 Madame, I thank you for your good wishes to my children. You shall take them. I think that you have kind heart where you have no prejudice, and that you will be kind to these little creatures. Yes, you shall take away my children. But take them now, at once. Do not lose a moment. Do not give me time to think. They are here-Cecile, Toto, will you not go e,a couture, with this dear lady, who will show you the shops, and buy chocolates for you and brtoche? You see, they are willing. Take them!"
 Denise turned to the window and averted her face from the sight. Lady Jones held out finger to each of the children and they trotted confidently beside her. But Cecile turned to her mamma dutifully. "Are you quite sure that you wish us to go?"
 "Yes, go, my child," said Denise, with heartbroken glance at her daughters face.
 All was going we'll with the little procession. Lady Jones was smiling down upon the children and talking to them in nursery patois, when, as they approached the staircase, the sight of the white and chilly descent, and some indefinite notion of an un- known world beyond where there was no mamma, worked so strongly upon little Toto's nerves that he turned and fled to his mothers arms.
 Denise darted toward the child with the spring of wild animal, and clasped him to her breast, while she turned face of defiance upon Lady Jones.
 "They are mine; you shall not rob ne. Cecile, come here. She is wicked woman that -"
 Just then step was heard in the corridor, and Robert appeared in the doorway; and upon him, too, Denise flashed out in anger.
 "You did we'll, monsieur" she cried, "to send this lady to take away my children; but now we shall trouble you no more. We shall find home for ourselves. And henceforth we are no longer of your friends"
 Robert darted an angry glance at Lady Jones, a glance that cut her to the heart. What had she not done for Robert? And yet, having to choose between her and a strange woman, he abandoned her and clung to the stranger.
 "You must have mistaken my aunt's meaning" said Robert. "Any- how, nobody shall take your children away. Have I not promised to be brother to them?"
 "Very well," cried Lady Jones, white with suppressed anger. "It is your affair, Robert; but if you take her part against me, it is a thing I shall never forgive. Oh! never, never. It strikes me here," she gasped, laying her hand upon her heart; and, indeed, her face had assumed an ashen hue, and she seemed as if about to faint.
 Robert ran to support her but she waved him away.
 "My carriage" she cried to Basset, who now appeared with smooth, inn perturbable face, and, leaning heavily on his arm, she slowly descended the StdlICdSt
 For moment there was gleam of triumph in the eyes of Denise. She had routed the enemy, she had still her children. But then came revul- sion of feeling.
 'I have kept you, my children, but it is only for your misery;;" and she burst into tears, while the little ones, amazed at such turn of affairs, strove in vain to comfort her.
 Robert, who had followed his aunt to her carriage, now returned, and Denise dried her eyes and addressed him:
 "I will not remain here to embroil you with your relatives. I will go back. I have friends in Paris who will help me toearn bread enough for these little OSies. I will return D