Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-05
CHAPTER III.

lift your train. Miss Dalmane; this Is
not quite the sort of place you are accus-
TONED to-"
next to godliness' is ignored by these un-
fortunates. Perhaps they know as little
of the one as the other" said Mr.. Fairfax
coolly, as he led the way into house
where restitution reigned in all its fright
full power. Upthe creaking, broken flights
of crazy steps they passed III silence and
paused at door whose many cracks emitted
feeble rays of light. In answer 10 cautious
zap shrill, unnatural voice cried, Come
an" At the sound Beatrice shivered rs II
an lev hand had touched her and drew
closer the large gray cloak that her
thoughtful companion had thrown around
when she left the ball.
On wretched bed in this most wretched
garnet lay woman so pale, &c. gaunt, go
Ike some eerie thing from another world
chat Beatrice stopped ere she had crossed
half the shadow haunted space.
do not be afraid, Miss Dalmane; tits
your mother" said Fairfax in tone low
bat triumphant.
mo, oh mol" she gasped, "'tis not true.
This is some hideous dream and 1t will kill
me. am already cold with the chill OF
DEATH" aud dropping the cloak which she
had grasped convulsiyely the white hands
with their circling jewels were thrown
wildly upward to shut out the sight before
her: ~, 49, .
Cor whom l have snned and suffered as
mother never suffered and sinned before,
have You no word for me, no glance OF
pity? am indeed your mother. Would
10 Heaven were not walled the wretched
woman. Lifting herself with the strength
of excitement and resting on her elbow
she leaned forward with a strong yearning
in her bright but sunken eyes and IN the
strange, wild accents of her voice.
Touched, she knew not how or why,
Beatrice's hands presently fell from her
face and she drew near the suffering, dying
woman, and sinking upon an old chest that
served as q seat she leaned over and wills
pered: You have something TO say to me.
am here and will listen"
With faint moan the haggard creature
sank back as If she had hoped wildly, vainly
for something more than these few cold
words. Steadying with q great effort the
shaking voice she said You are right. L
have but little time and must not waste IT.
For years all who knew me as Mrs. Dial
name have thought of mo as one who
slept with the dead. but have lived. and
lived TO know such anguish as hope may
never come to You. IL shall not. II 1 nave
She power 10 save you, my beautuui
child" After pause she continued: A
year and half before met MIR. palmane,
whom YOU have been taught TO call father,
j married Arthur Wexford. lie was WIG
and poor. with strange fascination OF
manner which my youth and inexperience
were powerless to resist. OF poverty and
ITS inevitable ills ! knew nothing. An
orphan, vain and rash, soon yielded 70
his wish for q secret marriage. Secrecy,
no said, was necessary, as his father.
. stern and incorporating man.
had other and. more ambitious plans
for him. Under cover OF visit
TO q schoolmate, Grace Elliott, q pretty
country girl. who loved me with enthu-
eiasn. We were married. A little while
nil WAS love aud sunshine, then the change
came. Arthur's erratic habits were dis
covered and enraged bis father. He left
me. promising TO return as soon as posi-
bic. and uttering vain hopes OF future
Was destined never TO know. Months
elapsed during which heard from him at
intervals: then there was a silence of long,
anxious weeks, and was sinking into deS-
pair when heard suddenly of his death
drowned while boating on the Thames.
left my child, the tiny girl Ito whom,
fmpelled by some strange impulse. had
given the hapless nane ~ Beatriec,) with
Grace Elliot and went TO dwell among
strangers in distant village. There / FIRST
eaw Mr.. Dalmane who. charmed with what
DO StNtt0 hAN RtuciFt ttetS oA0 btebtts
made me his wife, having been told
was Q widow, but knowing nothing of
your existence. That deception was
. grave error. and paved the. way
for inealculable SORROW. For several years
we lived on the continent / think he did
not care 10 bring his young wife in close
contact with the proud English relatives
Gil her manners had gained that polish
which travel and worldly knowledge give.
This did NOT Mound me, for did not love
him. Ny whole soul was wrapped in the
thought f my child, from whom was 80
cruelty parted. As We were about to re-
6urn 10 England Mr.. Dalmane died and I
eet out alone, not even bringing maid.
f0r I meant at last nj whatever risk TO take
70 nv ysarning heart my only child, OF
whose welfare had intelligence now and
then. when saw how daintily beautiful
Won we're / formed tho resolve TO secure
GeaIth and position for you BY giving you
Sour step-father's name. was received
81 The harebsy Deluanse - their brother's
IGNORED WIDOW, and ~ be had held but
Gftis communication With them since his
nnrria0e no questions wore asked about
m. For 8 time was happy N
Gala sost VI way. - one enjoys