Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-07-08

experience. Their jests and pranks and
stories. and laughter were ringing at
their height when the doorbell sounded.
The woman quailed, shrank and turned
white. She caught the child i'll her arms,
kissed him violently and said:
'John, your father has come. !"
This instantly recalled the boy from !
his dream.
ct want him." he eagerly said.
The woman led him into the drawing |
room, seated him and went out and ad-
mitted three men-a detective, a police
man and Mr.. John Edward Landor,
capitalist and gentleman.
ssMaster John is here with me, the
woman quietly remarked, land we have
been enjoying g very delightful visit
with each other. Will you enter, gem
tlemen? I have been expecting you.
am very sorry I have caused you any
Inconvenience, but I knew that as the
trail which 1 always leave is very broad
and easily followed, you would have
little difficulty i'll finding US. By the
way, Mr. Landor, that intelligent nurse
girl of yours is spending the day with
her mother" Her laugh was hard and
malicious.
ssTake us to the boy, Clarisse, :" the
! detective bluntly commanded.
sBy all means Enter, gentlemen.
She led them into the shining draw
ing room, and Master John, with cry
and a bound, sprang into his fathers
arms. where he was held strongly and
securely while Mr. Landor glared saw
apely at the woman standing SO defiant
and sneering before him.
81 am greatly obliged to you, gentle
men, said he to the officers "and Will
now leave you to do your duty"
The woman pricked up her ears at
that.
"Come, Clarisse,' commanded the
detective. "Get your hat and cloak. 4"
"Why!' she exclaimed, beginning to
show fierce aspect.
srYou may need them on the way to
the prison.
"What am charged with?'
Tomorrow Mr.. Landor will swear
to complaint for abduction. y
The woman started.
oAnd that means that his money and
power will send me to the penitentlary. =
ssThat is exactly what it means, ]" re-
marked Mr.. Landor, the coldness and
hardness of his sneering mouth COM
porting oddly with the malignant and
implacable hatred that blazed in his
gray ewes. "You will be placed where
, YOU will be unable to steal my son.
ssYour son! Oh, God, that is truel
did not abduct him. You dog, you COW
E ard. YOU beast! You know I'm defense
), less. You know was only exercising
r right that is the most sacred on this
: earth. -
Q .sI suppose you have told him." Mr.
r Landor said.
l 'sI have told him nothing, hound!
4 am not SO low as that. y
4 Her manner then suddenly underwear
= a change. Tears sprang to her eyes ane
. poured down her cheeks. Surely, sh
4 pleaded humbly, "you will not SEM
4 me up. It was only a little prank, John
n couldn't help it-upon- my soul,
: couldn't help it. Was it not enougl
4 that YOU robbed me of our baby ant
q sent me adrift an-outcast? will neve
v speak to him again, John, but Will g
n away tomorrow and never come back.
She came near and laid one hand on hi
r. arm and the other on the shoulder G
p Master John. Don't be hard on me
N Remember the happy old days, john
t. meant no harm. !"
~ "Gentlemen, do your duty" coldl
9. said Mr.. Landor, as he contemptuousl
nboolx the woman off and started for tn
e. door.
She stood rigid and dazed, but
strange incident revived her. Maste
n John wriggled unexpectedly and wit
so much vigor that he escaped from n
fathers arms and ran to Clarisse, wh
instantly caught him up. He threw n
ii arms around her neck and kissed her.
y "You are very naughty to call III
no fahyer a beast and dog, he said, IN
q playful tone, "'cause he ISN'T ye
ur know"
,s eyes, yes, John, know" she +
or sponded, returning his caress hundre'
fold. "You love me, don't you, john
in she pleadingly asked.
he "Oh, yes.
,is every much?''
nd .Oh, ever so many times much.
On She threw swift look of triumph
-es Mr. Landor.
he .sAnd you will always remember n
and love me?"
ns eyes, Just as long as I live. !"
ful The agony of love that went into Il
Ter kisses with which she now smother'
ak the child may not be measured by me
She surrendered the boy, and with
NJ look of infinite sweetness and sadne
re- saw him borne out of the room IN
arms of his father.
arn "Goodby, John," she called.
"Goodby," came back the partl
ly, word in a childish voice whose mu
'dy sang in her soul.
5ht There she stood, radiant, transfi1
and beautiful, the embodiment OF wo
ace anly grace and loveliness. She was
nd called to herself by an impatient ord
llle "Hury up, Clarisse.
he She started, moaned and staggel
lde into the next room. She was heard
the oven drawer, and in another nom
stl- the two officers were startled by plS
ned shot. They sprang to the door. :.
'We are too late, " said the detectl
and San Francisco Call.