The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-11-27
HIS MOTHERS SIN.

Girl, what is this my son tells me!
Have you aspired TO be mistress here?"
Avice barrels sweet. shy eyes lifted
to the cold face of the woman who
stood over her, and the love-light that
had filled them gave place to shrink
ing look, almost of terror.
She had seen that face every day since
her earliest childhood, and it had always
been proud and cold to the orphan
whom, for some reason, but surely not
from love, she had sheltered in her
stately home; but never had the
naughty. azure eyes of Mrs. Conrad
So closely resembled steel as now,
when their glittering coldness met that
quick, startled glance of Avice.
Answer me! Is it trueP" cried the
hard, proud voice.
''Is what true, madam"
Trembling, waiting, Avice rose to
her feet-a slight, graceful, youthful
figure-and faced Mrs. Conrad; not
bravely, but with the sudden fear that
already had come the end of her love
dream-that the woman before her
was there to part her from the lover
who, an hour before, had whispered
that she was his life's sunlight and
asked her to be his wife-the dear,
brave lover, who was Mrs. Conrad's
only son!
is it true that Raymond has asked
you to be his wife?"
Yes, madam"
''And you have accepted him? You,
the beggar brought to my door fifteen
years ago by one who had no claim up
on me, but to whose child gave a
home - through charity! You, who
| for fifteen years have been sheltered
and cared for in this house and allowed
40 forget that the bread you ate, the
clothes YOU wore, were gifts from my
handi You, to dare lead on my son
until he offers you his name and hand
you, to think of taking my place
herer'
The scornful, naughty voice died into
silence; the scornful azure eyes sur
+ fyeyed- with freezing glance that young.
| shaking figure, that white, lovely face.
The beggar brought to my door,
| How those cruel words wounded the
| warm, throbbing heart of the girl SO
| recently glad with its love and hope!
! How they rang in her ears till the
| world seemed filled with their echo!
/ She never knew, never dreamed, she
was tkere without right-was pau
| per. Faint memories were with her
of a rich and elegant home, servants,
/ her mothers soft hands and rich gar
.ments.
II She knew she had come from luxury
las great as that which she had found
/ with Mrs. Conrad; that she. a Child oi
Ia, had travelled far. with a nurse to
4 serve her, and a pale, low-yoiced man,
Whe seemed to love her.
| And on the mans hand had flashed
i q Jewel like star, while about hel
4 own baby throat sparkled and glowed
stones which she knew must have been
diamonds.
A beggarl No. it bad never dawned
on her that she was that!
III did not known she faltered,
putting one hand to her throat, where
something was rising and choking her
"I'knew was an orphan, but thought
thought money had been given yOl
for me. Madam, what do you wish OF
me?"
What was that look, brief as breath
in the blue eyes of the woman?
1t might be terror; it might be angel
only; it was gone before Avice read it
Il wish YOU to renounce my son-tt
go. away until he has forgotten you,
said Mrs. Conrad, coldly. He viii
forget-of that | have no fear. G,
where he cannot find you. Leave hin
him believe your Hight was with an
other whom you preferred to him
That would"
Madam, he shall know the truth
/ will 20, but he shall know why,
spoke the girl, with sudden dignity
Her face was still white, but her lip
were set in lines they never knew be
fore. He has said he loves me. l
he loves me well enough my povert,.
shall not part us, since he is more thai
all the " orld to me-
You would marry my son agains
nv wishesP You would thrust youl
self upon NE as a daughter-in-iaw
That would he your ret@rn for all M
years of charity toward gu?
Madam, l will marry the man VIII
! loves me, the man love, if he wishe
it,
! 4 will prevent your doing so, insC
lent begyar!'' cried Mrs. Conrad; iosin
her self-control at last, aud flashing
look of wrath at the girl before hel
You shall not remain in this house a
hour! Raymond has gone to Alstown
He shall not find you here on his re
turn
A portly figure stepped into vie'
from where heavy curtain had hldde
it; and the stout housekeePer, VIII
. had been for twenty years in MIR;
Conrads employ, stood before tina
. lady with an expression of mingie
rage and shrinking of her fiorid face.
MRS. Conrad. do you forget dyin
mans words, dying mans trust
You, fifteen yeass aSS@ she asked
NsAaksA Ssssa