The San Francisco call., 1896-05-17

They had grown much closer in spirit
now The woman's frenzy in its various
forms had passed and her heart had
| settled down into sweet sense of the
child's possession, tempered with vague
bitter reflections upon the past and future.
! But the sweetness of the present was
sufficient, and in that her soul was bathed
Illuminating all other feelings was her
! triumphant realization that in spite of all
the wild and uncomfortable vagaries of her
conduct that day she had achieved long
march in the conquest OF the child II
am winning him." she said over and over
in her heart, land he VIII love me, he will
| love me!'
She held him there, still keeping her
face concealed, and gently leading his
mind into other ways. With infinite tact
! and sweetness she coaxed him in to talk
ing OF his own affairs, and she held her
| self under perfect control when he spoke
of his father and mother.
Presently she became aware that dark
ness was falling. She released the child.
| lighted the rooms brilliantly and gave
him an abundance of good things to eat,
she joining him in the feast Two chill
! dren were never happier. The bov seemed
! to have forgotten all about his home in
the glowing life and radiance which filed
/ the place. Never had companion so
| sparkling and charming, so various. daz-
zling and beautiful appeared to his expe-
rience Their jests and pranks and stories
and laughter were ringing at their height
when the doorbell sounded. The woman
! quailed, shTank and turned white. She
caught the child in her arms, kissed him
violently and said:
John, your father has come"
This instantly recalled the boy from his
dream.
II want him. he eagerly said.
The woman led him into the drawing
room, seated him and went out and admit
ted three men-a detective a policeman
and Mr.. John Edward, Landor, capitalist
and gentleman.
master JohE is here with me-" the
woman quietly remarked, land we have
been enjoying a very delightful visit with
each other. Will you enter, gentlemen :?
| have been expecting you. l am very
sorry if / have caused you any inconven-
ience but knew that as the trail which [
always leave is very broad and easily fol-
lowed you would have little difficulty in
finding US. By the way, Mr.. Landor, that
intelligent nursegirl of yours is spending
the day with her mother" Her laugh was
hard and malicious.
Take US TO the boy, Clarisse, !" the detec-
tive bluntly commanded.
by all. means. Enter, gentlemen"
She led them into the shining drawing
room, and Master John with a cry and a
| bound sprang into his fathers arms, where
he was held strongly and securely while
| Mr.. Landor glared savagely 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 detec-
tive. "Get your hat and cloak
'Why?" she exclaimed, beginning to
show fierce aspect.
"You may need them on the way to the
| prison"
What am 1 charged with?'
Tomorrow Mr.. Landor will swear to a
complaint for abduction"
The woman started.
And that means that his money and
power will send me to the penitentiary. {"
! That is exactly what it means" re-
marked Mr.. Landor, the coldness and
! hardness of his sneering mouth comport-
ing oddly with the malignant and i'm
! placable hatred that blazed in his gray
eyes. You will be placed where you will
/ be unable to steal my son.
Your son! o God, that is truel I did
not abduct him. You dog, you coward,
| you beastl You know 1 am defenseless'
You know was only exercising a right
! that Is the most sacred on this earth"
81 suppose you have told him." Mr..
! Landor said.
Il have told him nothing, houndl lam
/ not SO low as that"
Her manner then suddenly underwent
change: Tears sprang to her eyes and
! poured down her cheeks eSurely." she
pleaded humbly, ''you will not send me
up. 1t was only little prank, John. l
! couldn't help it-upon my soul, 1 couldn't
/ help 1t. Was 1t not enough that YOU
1 robbed me of our baby and sent me adrift
an outcastP | will never speak to him
again, John, but will go away tomorrow
] or1d mo- ha.1
laid one hand on his arm and the other on
/ the shoulder of Master John. Don't be
hard on me. Remember the happy old
I days, John. | meant no harm"
Gentlemen, do your duty" coldly said
Mr.. Landor, as he contemptuously shook
the woman off and started for the door.
She stood rigid and daZed, but a strange
| incident revived her. Master John wrig-
gled unexpectedly and with so much vigor
| that be escaped from his fathers arms and
ran to Clarisse, who instantly caught him
up. He threw his arms round her neck
and kissed her.
"You are very naughty tc call my fahver
a beast and dog" he said, in playfully
chiding tone, "cause he isunt, you
| know"
Eyes, yes, John; l know" she respond
ed, returning his caress a hundredfold.
You love me, don't you, John2" she
pleadingiy asked.
1 Ou, yes.
Every much?"
'0h. ever so many times muchW
She threw a swift look of triumph at
Mr.. Landor.
"And you will always remember me and
! love me?'
Yes, JUS as long as live.''
The agony OF love that went into the
kisses with which she now smothered the
| child may not be measured by men.
She surrendered the boy, and with
look of infinite sweetness and sadness saw
| him borne out of the room in the arms of
| his father.
"Good-by, john" she called.
"Good-bv," came back the parting word
in ch ildish voice whose music sang in
her soul.
There she stood, radiant, transfxed and
! beautiful, the embodiment of womanly
grace and loveliness. She was recalled to
herself by an impatient order:
Hurry up. Clarisse."
She started, moaned and staggered into
the next room. She was heard to open
drawer, and in another moment the two
officers were startled by pistol shot.