The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-16
Earlc's chilling hautcur had silenccd

Earlcs chilling hauteur had silencct
her.
She found no chance now to be lone
| some. Baby. as she continued to cal
her. claimed all her time and the chile
clung to her with passionate fondncss
Leading the child, Dot went int,
Earle's study one day. He was, a.
on the day the little stranger hae
fallen into his hands SO mysterionsly
| just one year ago, lazily reclining in tn.
same chair. lie arose as she entered
welcoming her with warm, pleased
smile.
..Ah. Miss Dot, you have baby. a,
usual"
Why, Of course! We are insepara
Bile. and love her SO.
lie saw the wistful. yearning look
that she cast on the child, SO full OF
anxiety, too, that he felt something was
amiss
What is the trouble, Miss Dot? Isn't
baby well?" And he took the curly
headed fairy up in his arms. He. too.
had learned to care for the blue-eycd
stranger.
Yes hesitatingly. baby is well;
but, oh. Guardy! want to talk to you.
May II" and she looked at him anxious
~. entreatingly.
.'Why, child. What do you mean?
Why ask if you may? Am not always
willinga"
Yes, Guardy. yes. But it is about
-Lucie. Oh, DON'T and she graspcd
his arm with both hands, as she saw
the look of mingled rage and conster-
nation that had swept over his face.
Dorothy
.Oh, Guardy, don't look so! Be pitt
full" and the tears welled up into her
brown eyes, while his face softened
slightly.
Think of all these years. and not a
word from Lucie. Don't you want to
see her?''
NO" Distinctly and harshly the
word fell, and he threw off her hands
and walked to the window.
One moment the girl looked after
him. irresolute and doubtful. then she
followed. This time she did not touch
him, but laid one hand on the head of
the child clinging to her dress.
"Guardy. | do not believe You.
know you do want to see her.
Miss Dorothy: and Earle looked at
her in amazement
Il mean it. Since baby came you
have relented toward your sister. O,
Guardy, forgive her fully
Dot. l cannot Think of mother.
You know and | know that it was
Lucie's disgraceful conduct that killed
her. Forgive her! Never
Think of your mother in Heaven
pleading for her homeless child. She
loved and would have forgiven her, in
spite of all. Guardy, for her sake, call
her back
With stided groan he staggered to
chair, burying his face in both hands
Dot cast herself down at his feet. lay
ing one hand on his bowed head.
''Guardy." There was depth of
plying tenderness in her young voice.
Let me tell You what know of Lucie
She is in B alone. Her husband is
dead. and she is longing to return home
long to have her. Her husband was
true. Guardy, and she loved him to the
end. Think of that. Oh. say something
to me! This awful silence frightens ME
so.''
lie lifted his head slowly.
LET me think, Dot am bewild-
cred" and he passed his hand over his
forehead.
''Ies, think, Guardy. Think of the
long years that have rolled by since she
last saw her home-her brother. And,
oh, Guardy, think Of the long. heart
broken year that has passed since she
held her baby in her arms Think how
she is yearning to feel the touch of
warm, baby lips once more. Knowing
all this, can you refuse to allow her to
return home?"
Her baby
"Yes, baby. This is hers. Her own
Alice, named after your mother. Oh,
don't send her away" and the girl
sprang up, clasping both arms closely
around the child.
''This-Lucie's child? Am l dream
ing?"
NO. it is true, and she placed the
baby girl in his arms. Without WORD
he dropped his head over that of the
wandering child.
And you knew it, Miss Doto''
"Yes, knew it," she repeated. hum
bly,; Il hoped you would learn to love
baby, then, for her sake. would forgive
Lucie. viii you do so, Guardy?"
LET me think. Leave me for min.
ute, Dot
He kissed the child, gently replacing
her in Dots outstretched arms. And
her heart ached as she saw the panied
worn expression on his face.
"Will you forgive me for my decei,
and intrigue first?'
Il have nothing to forgive. little Mis-.
Dot. and her eyes frightened as tn,
| old pet name fell on her ear.
She closed the door gently, throwing
| with bowed head.
A few minutes later the door wa.
pushed open. lie did not look up
thinking it was Dot, and he half ex
pected to feel her light hand laid on hi.
head. The silence oppressed him. ii.
lifted his head
''Luciew he sprang from the chair
took two steps towards the slight
black-robed figure, then turned froE
her.
NO, Guardy! Not that. and another
form flew across the room, graspina
his arm, and Dots fearful, pleading
face looked up into his For baby.
sake; for mother's-for mine-forgiv.
her"
"Lucie!'
Earle
The long-parted brother and sister
were in each others arms.
Little Miss Dot"
"Yes, Guardy."
II want little payment for all thi,
skillful strategem on your part. Can
have it?'
Tell me what you want first" ant
once more the roguish diInples danced
about in merry glee
| II want little Miss Dot for my own
my wife. Even though ain old and -
a soft hand was laid over his mouth.
| but shall be Mrs. Dorothy then,
and her sweet, ringing laughter ran:
through the room. And Earle Wellmal
was content-Lillian NJ. Leslie, il