The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-04-23

''Aliss Clauson," said Mordle, 'can |
not do your errand for YOU This seems
scarcely the place for yol to enter"
mo, said Beatrice, Il alone can do it.
Plea d. not follow me; but | should be
| glad IL you will wat for me-"
Mrs. Rawlings good-natured, round,
commonplace face wore an expression OF
wonderment She saw at her visitor
was of a class different from that which
usually honored her with morning call.
AS tribute to Miss Clanson's undeniably
ladyl Ike appearance, the good woman
greeting which began with nod, ended
In someth ng like COR esy.
Please be seated, NJ SIS, ~ she said. 81
hear you want to speak to me. "
eyes, said Beatrice. II wish to speak
to YOU about the little child VIII CHI you
claim as yours. | wish to hear what you
have to say"
The woman's face grew grave. "Ah,"
she said, Il must send for my husband.
He manages the bnsin IS.
Beatrice made an impe ious gesture of
dissent "Whlt / have to say must be
sad to yo'. Kindly see that we speak
without Interrupt ion" Mrs. Rawlings
settled back in her chair rather sullenly.
and eyed her We led visitor with increased
curiosity Suddenly Beatrice again spoke.
TELL me- she said, in tones of strong
reproach, and perhaps unwisely, corn
tell me why you dare to ella m as your
own child whom you saw for the first
time few days ago"
1--WE lost little bow, " she faltered out,
"a dear little boy Of that age My man
Is certain this is ours."
but you-lou are not certain. A man
may make mistake as to his own chi d.
but not woman. The mother es not
forget her child, nor believe the child of a
stranger TO be her own"
MY man is so certain, :" repeated Mrs.
Rawlings, ''he must be right Poor fell
low, ever since our boy was lost he has
been seek hg him, high and low 1t
has driven him all but mad at times.
NOW he has found the child and means to
have him. .
"ile will never have him, . said Beatrice
slowly Listen 10 me. There Is no
chance OF Your obtaining the boy. His
mother knows In whose hands he Is. If
your claim is pressed, proof a. to whose
the child really is will be forthcoming.
Inc production will cause pain and grief,
but that Will be borne, If needful. Sec
mere she drew from her pocket the label
which had been cut off the child s cape
VIZ Pti'Oh hiiO hao llSul u iDuL cnllu /
must produce the half of the card which
fits this. When wanted it can be produced ~
II know nothing about cards and
proofs, aid the woman; ''all | know Is
that my husband swears 1t is our boy, and
Delieye MN, poor man. ore enough he |
has gricved for two years -neyer been the
same man since.
lyon do not believe him." said Beatrice
In the same deliberate way, but for the
sake of setting his mind at rest. Won humor
his deluson, and are willing to rob anoth-
er woman. You seem to be kind woman.
yet you are ready to work an irretrieyable
harm to anot er.
II mean no harm to anyone. miss If il
shouldn't be my child the mother can t be
OF much account who could desert pretty |
little dear like that. But there I've listen
ed TOO long and perhaps said more than
ought If you like to see my husband I'll |
senl for him. "
Mrs. Rawlings rose as If to terminate the
audience. Peatrlce also rose and faced
her. She threw up her veil. and for the
first time during tho interview showed her
face to her companion.
'No," she said, with strange vehemence.
~ have more much more to say TO vou.
Look me In the face, and feel sure that |
am speaking the truth. What II | tell
you that know the mother of this child |
know why IL was sent to Ha ,ewood
House-know that If forced to do so the
mother will claim 1t publcly-will face
whatever the shame rather than Weld IL
TO another Will these things have no
weight with you, and make YOU persuade
your husband to let the matter restg"
ITS no use, she said, shaking her
head. 'Not ut of use. He has set his
heart on the boy. He'll say it's only
trick I"
Then have yet more to say. Look at
me again and listen. Put yourself In my |
p ace and reall what you compel me to |
no. tell you the CHI Id Is mlne-it is mine.
DO you understand"
Mrs. Rawlings shook her head feeb'v.
ut Is mine, " repeated Beatrice. -, am
rs mother. Do | speak clearly enouphp
lhat boy Is my SON bore him in trouble
md In secrecy. Now will you or your
husband dare to lay claim 10 him dare to
swear 1t belongs to youP Answer me-"
On, Gear! oh, dear, dear!' calculated
Mrs. Rawlings.
Save myself and one other no one
knows of Us BIRTH" continued Beatrice.
u loved 1t and longed to have 1t ever
WIN me. But for years | scarcely dare
to see 1t. Then came chance. l schemed
so that IL might come to me and be always
with me, and yet no one need know 1t was
my very own. ! injured no one by so do
ing. had my child and could love 1t and
ARE for it, l was all but happy. And
now, Tor what can o. of no benefit to Won.
you would force me to tell my tale to the
world or part with my child. Yet you are
woman and must ha g a woman's heaIt!"
She looked at Mrs. Rawlings and saw
That tears were in her eyes.
II believe you are klno, =" she added in
softer voice. ''fou have forced me to
ell you all, but believe you will keep
my secret an help me to keep It. "
on my poor young LADY, My poor
young lady!' cried Mrs. rawlings. "You
20 young. so prouG-looklng. so beautiful
10 be led astrayl Oh dear oh dearl What
iilllans men are, both high and owl"
Miss Clauson flushed to the roots of her
lair. She seemed about to speak. bnt
checked herself. "You are sat led now?''
'he asked after pause
"Oh, yes, miss. Oh, am so sorry far
iou. You were right to trust me- Not a
word shall pass nv lips"
but your husbandP"
oh dear, oh dear. must do the best
an. must tell him II is not ours. He
VII De so unhappy. He's a good man
ma Kind husband. bu' rather excitable.
assure you. mi $, he was fully convinced
nat sweet little hoy was his. [ own /
Sash T. but | hum red him. seeing the
hought made him so happy. Any way |
would have Lowell the boy like my own.
VOW promise You there shall he no more
rouoie' But my poor man, he will be
disappointed. "
Aiter tbs Miss Clauson thanked her
,osteSs with grave dignity. Then sho