The Forrest City times., 1891-04-03
already told you. left at the door Ul

0P NsbVt C III tS NVii They married me to this man when was little more than child.
 "More than once I tried to ruu away, but he always brought no back"
 "That night when you befriended mo they were all angry with me be- cause l would not help them to rob an unsuspecting traveller who had put up there for the night"
 Shut up, Megl snarled the man, grasping her by the arm.
 She turned upon him with q sort of fury in her eyes, and he shrunk back half in fear of her.
 Because 1 refused" she went on again, addressing herself to Richard, this man, my husband. came at me fiercely with knife, and caught me by the throat.
 "I struck him with all my strength upon the temple, and he dropped to the floor.
 Il had not meant to kill him, but they said he was dead, and suppos- ed he was.
 "m the confusion I escaped un- noticed.
 "I should have confessed all this be- fore--I have been weak and wicked, I know; but could not bear to see you shrink from me, and have tried to make myself worthy of you"
 Her voice faltered and broke. She took dark hat and shawl from q chair.
 'Good-by, Richard" she said "good-by, happy homel'
 She was gone.
 Richard started up and rusheGf~iid- ly after her, calling her name, but she only turned at the gate and waved him back, and then went on down the road through the June sunshine, with that swaggering evil figure beside her.
 A year later Richard was riding through little country hamlet in an another state.
 He looked old and haggard.
 His sorrow still lay heavy at his heart.
 Suddenly from the open door of a tiny cottage came the sound of q wom- ans voice, singing an old nursery rhyme
 His heart was in his mouth. Surely he knew that voice!
 He turned his horse and drove close up to the door.
 Rock -a-by, baby, upon the tree-top. When the wind blows the cradle win rock When the bough breaks the cradle will fall Down will come baby, cradle and all"
 Yes, it was Meg. sitting there in the sunlight, and rocking a baby's cradle while she sewed.
 She looked up at the tramp of his horse feet, and cried out, ill love and longing:
 "Riehardl"
 In moment he was beside her.
 "0h, Meg. Oh, my poor darling!'
 And he stood with clinched fists, de vouring her with his eyes.
 How pale she wasl
 How sweet and womanly!
 And the baby
 He looked at it doubtfully as it slept, with one fat little thumb thurs; contentedly into it's mouth.
 "He IS yours. Richard" she said softly; yet with some apprehension.
 Have you come to take him from me?n
 "Mine" exclaimed Richard, like ono in dream.
 Yes; do you not see that he has the Winthrop features? And sec"
 She drew the mans hand down be side the baby's.
 On each wrist was q tiny red birth mark. in shape of cross.
 He Is B months old Is he not q splendid boy, Richard7'
 Richard knelt by tho cradle. his emotion was too great for words.
 Meg went on, gently;
 And, best of all, there is no shadow upou his birth. for was truly you, wife. That man, Darke. tried to force me to return with him, but 1 would not. found employment for my needle and for my pen, and finally cn gagged n lawyer to look into my alleged marriage with Darke. It proved to b. n sham ceremony, performed to blind n poor ignorant girl. But l could no, return to you, Richard for il was not his wife was worse Darks is serving a life sentence in prison fol his evil deeds. have kind friends here who were good to me when baby was born--I am supposed to be a widow. l can earn enough for my modest wants with my needle and my pen. But the baby, Richard; you will not take him from me yet?"
 But Richard was upon his feet. and his arms were about her.
 "I shall take him home at once Meg" he said. ''I shall take my little son and his mother homer'
 She shrunk away
 "Oh, no. Richard. have wronced you too deeply already. Think what my life has been"
 But he only folded her the closer.
 But, child, you have been more sinned against than shining. but you are my beloved wife, thank God for that"
 HONG KONG AND CHINA.