The evening world., 1890-05-16

and he would then come home. to toss, The
remainder Of the night, in wild dreams.
All. 1t was wretched household there, at
Duchesne Place. At last, Mrs. Duchesne
grew to believe that some madness had come
upon her son.
One night they were all startled By the
sudden appearance OF the old gardener. He
was pale and trembling, and could barely
gasp out his errand.
" Fiossie is ill-dyingi'' he said: land
she asks for the young master-for Mr..
Hugh. Where is he7
Hugh was summoned. and hastened away
with the old gardener to the latters little
cottage. Just outside the grounds.
" How strange |" said Mrs. Duchesne.
"and yet not strange. Hugh was always so
kind to her when she was a child. have
10 doubt she feels that he can help her. Ho
childish faith In him was so great"
But the night went by. and Hugh did not
return. Mrs. Duchesne could not sleep. In
the gray dawn. Hugh camo In. pale an
haggard. looking years older.
How is Flossie1" his mother asked.
"Dead!" he answered. And an going
away for few days. Mako my excuses to
tho guests. Imperative business calls me.
Two days later he came back. With him
came woman. evidently q servant, and =
child-a beautiful, laughing boy, year and
half old.
Into the presence OF his mother and his
guests lie bade them come.
have o confession to make before you
all. he said. II want you all to know me
as 1 ana poor. weak. miserable coward.
all Ia
child Of my wife. who died two days ago.
married her secretly. four years ago. 1 ad-
mired her pretty face, and was fond OF her
as one is fond Of toy, and so married her.
But dared not confess IL TO my mother.
When repented OF the step rushed away.
and never knew Of this child's existence
till the night before last. when Its mother
lay dying. Good God!-to think OF all she
suffered for me. Aud 1 killed her. She
heard my mad words TO another woman q
week ago, and they killed her. She felt
that she was in the way of my happiness.
and she lay down and died like wounded
lamb. And when she knew she was to die
she told me OF our child. and asked me to
care for It. And so have brought 1t home.
and you have heard the whole miserable
story"
Take the child out Of my sight" cried
Mrs. Duchesne, turning aorcely upon tho
nurse.
'Motherl' cried Hugh.
But she silenced him.
do you think will ever own II. or let II
bear our name7" sho cried. Tho miser-
able. low-born child OF q servant. Take 1t
away. out of my siRht"
The nurse turned to 20, but hand de-
tanned her.
Give the child to me. said ssoft voice.
and Lisle GRAY put out her arms, and the
child laughed ani leAped into them.
II am going away tomorrow. she said.
turning with dignity to Mrs. Duchesne. II
will take the child with me-"
God bless You. cried Hugh. 7" But do
not go. Oh. II you will do this for my
child. will you not stay for meT"
She looked into his face. there. before
them ALL the child still upon her breast
twill come back. IL you want me. I" she
said. smiling. but only on condition that
less little one. Otherwise you must come to
me-"
So Lisle went But in due time Mrs. Du-
chesne thought of the mortgage on Duchesne
Place; and, forgetting her wrath. sent for
Mrs. Gray and the child. And even Mrs.
Hildreth, when she read the marriage notice,
sighed sigh of relief.
For. thank fortune !" she said. ''Lisls
can't spoil any more OF my plans"
But as for CArrie-ah. well ! she hid her
hurt as only proud women can.
lIHE ESD.l