The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-27

his shoulder child He got to his
feet and turned round. On the table was
very large photograph of smiling
child--with his eyes, his face. He
caught the chair arm and stood looking
at it little wildly. Then he laughed u
strange laugh, and the tears leaped to
his eyes. He caught the picture in his
hands and kissed livery foolishly men
not fathers might think-and read the
name beneath, Richard Joseph Ar
mour," and again, beneath that, the
date of birth. He then put it back on
the table and sat looking at it-looking
and forgetting and remembering.
Presently the door opened, and some
one entered 1t was Marion. She had
seen him pass through the hall. She had
then gone and told her father and moth
er, to prepare them, and had followed
him up stairs. He did not hear her.
She stepped softly forward. Frank, "
she said, Frank, " and laid hand on
his shoulder. He started up and turned
his face OH her; then he caught her
hands and kissed her. "Marionp' he
said, and he could say no more, but pres
emily he pointed toward the photograph.
She nodded her head. "Yes, it is
your child, Frank, though Of course you
don't deserve it. Frank, DEAR" she
added, 81 am glad-we shall all be glad
TO have you back, but you are wick
ed man." She felt she must say that
Now he only nodded and still looked
at the portrait. '"Where is-my wife?"
he added presently.
"She is in the ballroom. Marion
was wondering what was best to do.
He caught his thumbnail in his teeth.
He WINGED in spite of himself. II will
go to her." he said, land then the ba-
by"
81 am glad" she replied, "that you
have that much sense Of justice left,
Frank-the wife first, the baby after
ward, but do you think you deserve
either?"
He became moody and made an impa-
tient gesture. Lady Agnes Martling is
here, and also Lady Haldwell, she per-
sisted, cruelty. She did not mind, be.
cause she knew he would have enough
to compensate him afterward.
Marion" he said, "say IL all and
let me have it over. Say what you like,
and I'll not whimper. I'll face it. But
want to see my child"
She was sorry for him She had
really wanted to see how much he was
capable Of feeling in the matter. "Wait
here, Frank" she said. THAT will be
best, and 1 will bring your wife to you. ~
He said nothing, but assented with O
motion Of the hand, and she left him
where he was He braced himself for
the interview. Assuredly man loses
something Of natural courage and sell
confidence when he has done a thing Of
which he should be and IS ashamed.
1t seemed long time-it was in
reality but couple of minutes-befme
the door opened again, and Marion said,
Frank, your wifep' and then retreated
The door closed, leaving stately
figure standing jnst inside it. The figure
did not move forward, but stood there,
full of life and fine excitement, but very
still also.
Frank Armour was cmfounded. He
came forward slowly, looking hard
Was this distinguished, handsome, re.
proachful woman his wife, Lali, the In.
dian girl whom he had married in a fl
Of pique and hrandy?- He could hardly
believe his eyes. And yet her eyes look
ed out at him with something that he
remembered, too, together with some.
thingwhich he did not remember, max.
ing him uneasy. Clearly his great mis-
take had turned from ashes into fruit.
"Lali, my wifep be said, and held out
his hand,
She reached out hens courteously, but
her fingers gave him no response.
"We have many things to say to each
other," she said, "but they cannot be
said now. I shall be missed from the
ballroom.
missed from the balhoomp' He al
most laughed to think how strange thii
sounded in his ears. As if interpreting