Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-08-20

He paused before the last word to
give it point, for her husbands father
had made his money out of torpedoes.
She felt the sting in spite Of her, and
she saw the point. "And then we will
talk it over at the end Of the season, :"
he added, "and compare notes Good
afternoon.
"You stake much on your hazards, :"
she said. glancing back at Lali, who
still stood immovable. Eau revoir!"
She left the room. Richard heard the
door close after her and the servant re-
tire Then he turned 10 Lali.
As he did so, she ran forward to him,
with cry. "Oh, Richard, Richard"
she said, with sob, threw her arms
over his shoulder and let her forehead
drop on his breast. Then camo a sudden
impulse, in his blood. Long after he
shuddered when he remembered what
he thought at that instant; what he
wished to do; what rich madness pos
sessed him. He knew now why he hal
come to town. He also knew why he
must not stay, or, if staying, what must
be his course.
He took her gently by the arm and
led her 10 chair, speaking cheerily 10
her. Then he sat down beside her, and
all at once again, her face wet az
burning. she flung herself forward on
her knees beside him and clung 70 him.
"Oh. Richard. / am glad you have
come" she said. would have killed
her if had not thought of you. | want
you to stay. / am always better when
you are with me- l have missed you,
and know that baby misses You too.
He had his cue. He rose, trembling a
little. Come, come, he said heartily.
''it's all right, it's all right-my sister.
Let us 90 and see the youngster. There.
dry your eyes and forget all about that
woman. She is only envious Of you.
Come, for his imperial highness. "
She was in o tumult Of feeling IL
was seldom that she had shown emotion
in the past two years, and il was the
more ample when IL did break forth.
But She dried her eyes, and together
they went 10 the nursery. She dismissed
the nurse, and they were left alone by
the sleeping child. She knelt ut the
head Of the little cot and touched tf
child's forc head with her lips. He
stopped dow also beside il.
Hes grand little fellow" he said.
"Lali," he continued presently, lit =
time Frank came home. am going TO
write for him. II he does not come at
once, / shall go and fetch him"
Never, Never!" Her eyes flashed an
grily. Promise that you will not Let
him come when he is ready. He does
not care. She shuddered little.
But he will care when he comes.
and you-you care for him, Lali. "
Again she shuddored, and white.
ness ran under the hot excitement Of
her cheeks She said nothing, but look-
ed up at him, thon dropped her face in
her hands.
"You do care for him, Lali, he said
earnestly, almost solemnly, his lips
twitching s!.,Atlv. You must care for
him. It is lis right. And be will
swear to you | know he will-care for
you"
In his own mind there was another
thought, hard, strange thought, and
il had 10 do with the possibility Of his
brother not caring for his wife
Still she did not speak
ITO a good woman, with good hus-
band, ;" he continued. there Is no one
there should be no one-like the IA
ther Of her child And no woman ever
loved her child more than you do yours
He knew that this was special pleading
She tremblcd and then dropped her
cheek beside the child's. Iwant Frank
to be happy" he wenton. There isno
one care more for than for Frank.
She lifted her face to him now, in 1t a
strange light Then her look ran to con