The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-12-28
about, and everything was made ready
as for guest. He sat down, not think

u. .I..Hl. .7.I.II' '''II'
He caught the picture In his hands and
kissed it.
ing, but dazed. CHANGING up, he saw
MS face i'll a mirror. 1t was bronzed,
but it looked rather old and careworn.
He shrugged shoulder at that. Then
in the mirror he saw also something
else. It startled him so that he sat per-
fectly still for moment looking at it.
1t was some one laughing at him over
his shoulder child! He got to his
feet and tllrned round. On the table was
very large photograph of a smiling
child--with his eyes, his face. He
caught the chair arm and stood looking
at it little wildly. Then he laughed a
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 butpres-
entity he pointed toward the photograph.
She nodded her head eyes, 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
Ito 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 i'll his teeth.
He WINGED in spite Of himself 81 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 it all and
let me have it over. Say what you like,
and III not whimper. I'll face it. But
I 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 will bring your wife to you. :"
He said nothing, but assented with a
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 self
confidence when he has done thing of
which he should be and is ashamed.
1t seemed a long time-it was in
reality but couple of minutes-before
the door opened again, and Marion said,
Frank, your wife!" and then retreated.
The door closed, leaving stately
figure standing just inside it. The figure
did not move forward, but stood there,
full of life and fine excitement, but very
still also.
Frank Armour was COMPOUNDED. 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 fit
of pique and brandy? He could hardly
believe his eyes And yet her eyes look
ed out at him with something that he
remembered, too, together with some
thing which be did not remember, max
ing him uneasy. Clearly his great mis-
take had turned from ashes intQ fruit
''Lali, my wife!" he said, and held out
his hand
She reached out hers courteously, but
her fingers gave him no response.
I'VE have many things TO say to each
. oiNttt auo ndlu, DuI Ihey CdullOb U0
said now. shall be missed from the
ballroom.
Missed from tho ballroomt' He al
most laughed to think how strange this
sounded in his ears. AS if interpreting
bis thought, she added: lyon see, it il
) cur inst affair of tine season, and we are
al anxious TO dc our duty perfectly
! Will you go down with axe? We car
. talk afterward. "
HeF Continued self possession utterly
. confused him. she had utterly confused
. Marion also when tGld that her husband
. was la the house. She had had PRESENT.
I monts, and besides she had been school
ing herself for this hour for long time
! hiia turned toward the door.
! BAT kq esked like supplicant
! "our chiidY 1 want ~ see our child"
) she lifted her eyebrows. Fhep, seeinl
! enc photograph OF the baby ON the table
, end rstood bow he knew. Come witt
. me. chen. she said. with little mor'
r fa'inE
she ird tho way through the hall ant
Earssl at her door. Remember tina
! ~ have 10 appear among the guests di
3 Nriy she saia, - though TO war;