The Washington times., 1894-09-02

life, and yet she has never forgiven me.
never see her look at a child that 1 don't feel
she is resenttng my depriving her ofthat hap
piness.'
Then there came the same thought that had
occurred to Mrs. Allison. Did she want her
to make amend for opposing her ten years
ago, by not opposing her now?
But that was so different. she argued that
had not been wicked and degrading.
Maria's little story had curiOusIy softened
her heart toward the boy. If be had come to
them she might have grown 70 love him; they
might have been happy in him.
We're he with them now there could be no
question OF this awful other thing. And then,
as one rends a veil, she rose up trembling az
flash OF thought.
Maria, she said, "how old is Mr.. Arm
strong?"
Maria, too, rose. Attempting to steady
herself by the table, somehow she brushed
one of the precious cups TO the floor; she did
not even look at It.
He is twenty years old, = she said, pale as
Virginia
And what is his full name?''
His name is Philip Ambrose Armstrong,
said Miss Maria.
Hardly knowing what she did Mrs. De
Forest dropped into chair and covered her
face with dish toWel-that being the only
screen at hand.
her own tempestuous emotion Virginia must
have marveled at her proud sisters manner.
Il meant to tell you, L truly did, she
said, II meant 10 tell you before my next
birthday; that is why l began the story
partly why-for wanted the others should
know, too, but 1 hadn't the courage to
finish before them. She touched Nir-
ginia's shoulder softly Indeed I have
felt rsmorse at deceiying you all these years,
hut hadn't the courage TO make breach
between US. People suppose I am so fear
less-that is all they know about i'll am
coward where l love people. l was a coward
with you; couldn't bear to hurt you after
YOU had been hurt so dreadfully.
And l coul ID not give him up. Winnie. dear,
consider how had nursed him through that
fever. The doctor said 1 saved his life. l
gave him his life. Winnie, what could his
mother do mOre?n The blood dyed her face
and throat, but she spoke resoluIely. Vim
ME don't think il impossible after that month
| was fighting for his life and he couldn't
bear to have me out of his sight. I felt as if
We're his mother. 1 had a dream, tool
| don't believe in dreams. but this one has
haunted me ever since. His mother seemed
! to be telling me such long, sad story OF her
| life, and was crying over it, and then she
gave me the boy Make his life happier.
| she said. So 1 could not give him up. But
deceived you. 1 pretended to send him
| away.
''Then, afterward, he came back. Lydia
| took care of him. | gave her money. l have
| always seen him every year; have written TO
| him each week: whatever he wanted l loved
to get and send him. Up stairs in little
! box have all the letters he has written me,
| from the scrawly little things just after left
| him to last year. l had 10 stOop TO mean de-
| vices and deceit to conceal this from you. and
| 1t has made me miserable. Try to forgive
me, Winnie" She leaned over her; she would
have kissed her if they had been little fur
| ther ont of view.
Mrs. De Forest very gently pushed her
! away please don't talk to me now" she
said. Il do forgive you. butt am dizzy
She walked of into the house. upstairs TO
her own room.
That evening at dinner little note lay on
| Miss Marias plate:
II do forgive you: please forgive me. By
and by will talk to you about it. Your low
ing sister. WINNIE"
Marie read the contents of the note.
THANK you" she said to Mrs. De Forest,
| who had just entered. Il hope your head
ache is better. dear
Thus do we make believe TO hoodwink our
mon servants and women servants But
Elizabeth Akers, who had been Miss Maria )
maid for twelve years, smiled TO herself.
1T is all gone" said Mrs. De Forest.
She made no further reference to the conyer-
sation then or during the week, but lirs. ALI
son almost fell OFF her porch-ehair that same
evening, beholding Mrs. De Forest and young
Armstrong driving together.
ST don't see anything remarkable in that,
said DIR. Allison. winnie has suecumbed TO
Maria. that's all. But il is an awful pity The
strangest thing is that he seems a nice, mod
est, manly fellow. But he IS il poor busi-
ness, poor business"
For the next week rumor busted itself
about equally with Miss Maria's birthday
party and Miss Maria's possible marriage. II
was related that the greenhouses far ant
wide had been stripped for the function. Th,
lawn was to have lanterns and tents. and ii
the great hall the efanily, Bible, erected on {
stand and surrounded BY flowers, was to pro