The morning call., 1891-06-14

ing articulate that he could seize upon. 1t
seemed to him as if some one had struck
him a staggering blow on the head, so tum-
bled and disordered were his thoughts. But
gradually incoherence gave place to order
and calm followed tumult. But might not
hatred have given rise to these terrible sus-
picions in jules mind. Had not her devo-
ton to him led her to diStort, to magnify,
to misinterpret? With a pertinacity at
which he himself wondered. Banvlle now
began to rummage through the recoilee-
tons of his five years of married life, pass
ing the most trifling things in review, TAX
ing them up month by month. day by day.
and every startling incident which he came
upon pricked the fiber of his heart ike the
sting Of wasp.
He completely forgot George. who, seated
on the floor had hushed his crying and ap-
peared to be waiting for his father TO speak
to him. But as no notice was taken oil him
he began to cry again.
Springing to his feet. Banville caught the
child up in his arms and rained kisses upon
his face and head. The boy at least would
be left to him. What did he care for all the
rest? He pressed that little form close to
his breast, and hid his face in the mass Of
golden curls, and strange and sweet feel
ing Of comfort and consolation came over
him.
George, George, my darling little son, I"
he murmured TaptufOusly, and then, as
hatred, its disheveled gray hair framing 1t
half demOn-like, rose before him, he checked
himself suddenly for an instant, but it was
only an instant, and again he began TO
shower kisses and caTeSseS on the chIidS
face and hair and hands and to pour forth
terms of endearment.
Now, he could feel the warmth OF that
little breast reach his. 1t thrilled him to
the very soul, filled him with delight, en-
cOuraged, strengthened, fortified him. Hold
ing that sweet child face off so that he could
get a better look at it, he riveted his gaze
upon it with a feeling so intense as to be-
wilder his senses, ana he kept on repeating,
MY darling George, my blessed babyl'
till it seemed as il he could not bring him.
self back 10 his customary cOmpoSure.
Suddenly he sprang up and began pacing
the floor, with the child clasped so closely
in his arms that the little creature began 10
fret and worry under the restraint Hating
in the center Of the room, Banville. warned
by the child's frett1ng, poised him on his
right hand and tossed him into the air, let
ting him drop so as 10 bring the little face
with its soft curls against his cheek. With
a Joyous exclamation Georgie pointed to
their reflection in the mirror. Banville
looked aud smothered cry of pain escaped
him. He staggered one side till he had
cleared the mirror. then having set little
George in an easy chair, he let himself drop
into another and began to weep and rather
sob loud and convulsively. This strange
sight so startled George that he, too, burst
into tears. and at that instant the front
door-bell rang out sharply. Banville leaped
up as if he had been shot There she Is"
he whispered to himself. Nov what shall
do?"
He made bound towards his room with
the intention Of wiping his eyes, but in a
few seconds another ring at the bell brought
him hurriedly back into thu salon, and then
he recolected that the nurse had not been
notified of jules departure. So there was
no one to open the door. What should he
do? He started toward the door a
singular courage and calmness had come
upon him. lie felt himself prepared for
strife and assimilation. But still he was
trem bling. Was ii fear? Could il be t at
lie was still afraid of her? Who can tell
how often cOWardice Is dashed into audac-
lty.
He halted at the door TO listen. He could
hear nothing but the throbbng of his own