Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-05-16


ed, dressed richly in velvet and fur, but
with n face so haggard that 1t was no
wonder even her brother did not at first
recognize her-sat the "leddy."
"Bellaw
"Yes, it's mel You didn't know, sup
pose"
Dear Bella! so glad to see you" And
he went over and kissed her affectionate-
". But Bella made no response.
stop minute" she said in hard,
dry tone. Don't be too glad to see me.
Ask your wife first, I'm not respected.
I've run away from my husband"
! Roderck started.
Not with man-Oh no, thank you!
I've had enough Of men'-with the ghost
of her old laugh-"cnly with baby"
She opened her hir cloak and discovered
the white long clothes Of tiny--5uch
very tiny-infant, with such an old, with
cred, ugly little face Nevertheless, ST.
lence sprung to it and took it in her arms.
"Oh, you're quite welcome, if you want
it. | don't though it's my own" said
Mrs, Thomson, with another laugh. "A
month old, when it was born, hated the
very sight of it, It was so like its father.
Now-well, l endure it, that's all! Isn't
it a miserable scrap of thipgP
1t certainly was but in an instant
Silence, throwing off her wraps, had sat
down to warm its skinny, stone-cold legs
by the fire, with look on her face that
even her husband had never seen before.
she seems born to be mother, which
LIN sure never was; / always hated chill
dren. They look exactly like young frogs
or toads. No doubt this will turn out
toad, and spit in my face like-0nly it's a
feminine, not masculine, article, thank
goodness! 1t can never grow up man
like him."
do you mean your husband?" said
Rodoricl, gravely,
ITO be sure, The man l was fool
enough to marry. Why didn't my mother
prevent me, as she tried to prevent your
marriage? But mine was all right-or
she thought so-as she thinks still I've
got handsome house, horses and car
riagcs, butler, three footmen and page.
Didn't | dodge them all cleverly? Crept
out in the dark of the afternoon and took
tram-me, Mrs, Alexander Thomson
common street tram-to the railway.
What would Mr.. Thomson have said?
Ha! ha! ha! wish he knew it, if only
just to vex him."
Roderick sat down by his sister, grieved
and sad. She was in such an excited
state that he did not attempt n single
question, but she went on rapidly talking.
what hunt therell be- Not that he
cares for me, not two straws, but 1t isn't
respectable to have ones wife running
away. And they will think have gone
mad and killed the baby-he knew l
hated 1t. But am not mad, I am quite
in my sober senses, Rody-is that a noise?
told the girl to bolt the front door, some
body might come after me, though don't
think it. And they never would imagine
had come here to you"
mo-" said Roderick, with involuntary
bitterness. Nevertheless, being still
your brother, and you having chosen to
take refuge with me, you are safe. BE
satisfied"
He laid his hand on her shoulder-she
was shaking from head to foot; then unity
ing her bonnet and cloak, he made her
lean back in the arm chair.
Tears started to Bella's eyes "Thank
you; you were always kind to me, Rody,
and you have got used to woman's ways,
| see. But don't be uneasy, shall not
faint-I never do. I'm tough, like NAM
ma, or should have been killed long ago.
He was such n brute-you've no idea
That is, when he was drunk. Sober, he
is-well, only a fooll must have been
blind-many silly girls are"-passing her
hand YEARLY over her eyesN'but, oh,
Rody, fancy to wake up after q week or
two and find yourself tied for life to
drunkard and a fool A brute, too, as l
say. Roderick" him by the
arm-'you, n man with wife Of your
own, and-yes, know!-wOuld you be-
lieve that the very day before that poor
little wretch was born, he-he struck
me?"
Roderiek sprang to his feet.
Don't get furious you can do nothing,
nobody can. It's only the drink. He's
decent enough, just fool at most, till he
drinks, then he's devil; and hate him
as l hate the devil. It's right"
Fright or wrong, you must keep quiet"
said the brother, himself making a violent
effort at quietness and self-control. "My
wife'-the instructive appeal which had
become habitual now-"my wife, come
here"
Silence came, with the small bundle,
so piteously still, as if only half alive, in
her arms. She had been going in and out
of the room with it while they talked.
"Your bed is quite ready. Come, sis
ter"
Bella, occupied with herself and her
brother, had apparently forgotten her
brothers wife. When Silence stood be-
fore her-the young mistress of the house,
the woman with the womanly heart,
which that forlorn babe seemed already
to have found out, for it was fast asleep
on her warm brcast--this other woman,
the miserable fine lady, the mother with
the unmotherly soul, was struck with
mingled feeling, half surprise, half com
NpunctiOn.
Eyes, of course we are sisters. But l
thought you would hate me-hate us all.
1t was Roderick ran away to. never
thought of you"
"That was natural But now, all that
are his are mine-as is also quite natural.
Come"
Bella grasped the offered hand and rose,
saying, with feeble laugh "Rody, your
wife must be an exceedingly good wom-
an"
"Ccla va sans dire, 1 hope" said he,
trying to laugh as he hurried them away