Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-06-20


face 70 face this woman who had
brought such fearful suffering to her
and hers, till she saw her. and then her
heart was so deeply touched that there
was no room for any other feeling
than sorrow and loving compassion.
You here Delphine Lathrop said,
falling back when Hyacinth came in.
T'llt the girl stretched ont her hands.
"Oh, don't turn from me-. she said.
falteringly. II could not leave you
alone now / know
And Delphine flung herself down at
Hyacinth's feet, and buried her face in
her hands, with wild tears and sobs
And, somehow, then the Barrier
seemed TO be broken down between
them, and Hyacinth tried to soothe the
unhappy woman with her gentle sym
patty, and the soft touch of her hand
on the bowed head, till at last Del
phine allowed herself to be raised, and
sat beside the sister whose only kim
ship with her indeed seemed that of
common dust.
And yet, perhaps. there was more
than that, for there were impulses for
good that had lain dormant all these
years, and which perhaps Kindness and
sympathy might bring out.
And whether it We're impulse, mere
emotion. or not, it was strange how
Delphine clung to the pure-hearted
girl, who did not shrink from her, who
never seemed to think she was doing
anything in the least out of the way in
coming and giving all she could to the
woman who was stepped in sin, end
who had done her best to blast her
sisters honor.
''But you're like him, said Delpniae
in a subdued way.
Hyaclnth had got her to promise she
would strive to quit the life she had
hitherto led. and make a new begin
ming In new country.
''He didn't forget / was woman,
though / am so scorned, and took
things for granted, so that I wished
they were there, and there was no
freedom, because I'm not like you.
Men, you know, even when they're
nice, there's sort of a way with
them that lets you know you're cheap.
oh, but mustn't talk like that to you,
you innocent girl"
Delphine caught herself up.
81 wish l hadn't been bad to you. |
do wish it,"
'Ah! never mind that" said Hya-
cinth, earnestly; she smiled half
brightly, half wistfully. "After ALL
she said flushing a little, IF through
that You are made happier and-and
better, shall not think the price too
heavy to have paid
''You," the woman said, looking a
moment at the exquisite face half
turned from her; she sighed bitterly
sMy dear, you are just an angel.
haven't done wondering at you both
yet. | never shall You must so now, y
she said. wistfully: your husband
your children want you. 1t was very
good of you to corle--I'll never forget
it, even if i don't keep to all you want
ME to do. But I'll try" she added,
hastily. II will indeed"
~ am sure YOU WILL" Hyacinth said,
gently. and she bent and kissed the
other on the forehead. Il shall see you
again before You leave England
.Will you9 Will he let you come:
But | suppose you do as you likeT'
said Delphine, with sigh.
But Hyacinth shook her head.
eOh, no." she answered; mot If he
didn't think it right. But he will let
me come, / know"
So they parted, and Gerald only
knew by the close, convulsiye clasp Oh
her hand as it sought his on the drive
home how shaken Hyacinth had been
by this interview.
sit was the coming away" she said
to him with long drawn breath. u,
coming home, to you, to our children,
to love and care and tenderness, leav-
ing her alone with only her thoughts,
and the hundred temptations she VIII
have from within, as soon as the ex-
citement is over. All! Gerald ! think
sometimes people don't always realize
what terrible thorn-set path IT must
be for such a woman 80 tread. How
very, very forbearing one ought to be-
Gerald kissed her tenderly, and drew
her head down on his breast.
"You loving heart" he said, softly.
81 half wish | had not let you go
though, my darling, you make me
anxious. you take it all so bitterly to
heart"
"Oh, Gerald, no, don't say That sre
pleaded. '.you mustn't make me selfish,
and 50 wrapped UP and sheltered that
/ know nothing Of the sin and misery
about me-
''well darling, you shall do as your
heart dictates" said her husband, ten
derby. Heavens knows. | would put
no bar on the possibility of your doing
that poor girl any good-only, my
child. you must remember that ] can
only let you see her when ! can go
with YOU. nor must she come here, OF
be seen with you. And J should Ike
YOU to tell me all you want 70 40,
dearest. in the way Of providing any
thing for her, for he said, smiling,
and caressing the gllttering eurls on
her forehead, you are but young era