Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-02-27

the Chu, lNGEe Will DC less laEu lCtl'
ing on my sitc now; we will under-
stand. both of us how il all happened
and how we are to stand for the future,
Life has its Conversations, 100; have
my boy-and YOU" she could not re :
SiSt this little shot OF womanly vim
dictiyeness. you have your wife and
fortune and Qet us suppose it, anyway
happiness,
How hard woman ,aa be-" said
the laird, looking At her bcSeechiuSly.
Nay, Alexander, but how hard a
woman can be made.
Margaret he said, rising and eX-
tending his hand to her. which she,
however. did not take II suppose
must not come or see you again? |
gather that from your manner"
certainly not " she said, with deci-
sion; that is rot 10 be thought of,
No! No! Ii you attempt TO come here
again 1t will drive me out OF the place
have come to like really we'll have
my reputation as respectable widow
to sustain. They called ME a widow,
took il for granted when came here
ana knew too mach of the world to
eulighten them. And am not Wild
owed in the cruelest sense of the
word?"
Then is it to be good-by, Margaret: ="
he said, still offering his hand
She took it now and his fingers
closed on hers tightly.
YES good-by and God be wi We,
for our boys sake" she faltered, break
ing down at last and covering her eyes
with her hand.
The laird's ruddy and handsome face
had blanrhcd tc the Wilderness of her
own, he looked down upon her shaded
face with features struggling with in
ward emotion, noting his VWn ring
still upon her finger the ring he bad
eighteen years ago.
"Goodby, then, Margaret" he said,
at last. IF we never meet again, will
YOU believe the last word | leave with
you?"
Yes" she answered, looking up With
her eyes full of pain she could not
hide, Il believe you will speak sim
cerely, Surely you could not do other
wise now"
Then, Margaret, | love YOU yet, and
always will to my dying day" he said
huskily and turning away he cropped
through the dark passage and let him
self out into the night.
Mrs. Marin stood where he left her
for some minutes and then turned and
threw herself upon the bed. Sobbing
bitterly. Inside the room door A,ec,
who had seen and heard all, turned
with a long, shuddering sigh back to
bed In these last few minutes his
boyhood had died within him; he hal
become man all AT o. 'e, knowing
good and evil, understanding many
things he had wondered at In past
thoughtless years, seeing clearly before
him the one thing to be done.
He wants TO make a man of me,
does he?" he muttered under his
breath III let him see can make a
man of myself"
When utterly worn out with weep
ing, Mrs. Marin at last fell asleep. she
became dimly aware of Alec covering
her up with some warm blankets and
again through sorrowful mists of sleep
she half-conSciously felt his warm lips
on her cheek and was he crying? Or
was it fancy. that hot drop upon her
slumbcring face? Alas, the pressure
of sleep on the heavy heart was not to
be thrown Off a faint smile was all
the response she was able 10 give and
presently she was again ingulfed in
slumber.
1t was well or in the day when she
was aroused by a knocking at the shop
door, and, wondering why Alec had not
opened it and taken off the shutter,
she rose and finding herself dressed,
proceeded to the door.
But where was Alec? Her customer
was served and gone but where was
the boy? Not in his room; not in the
yard as she could see from his win
dow but what was this paper ad-
dressed "To my mother" on his table?
Mrs. Nairn brought the note out and
sitting down in the easy-chair opened
it with trembling hands Only few
lines hut how much they contained!
My Dear Mother: | suppose 1t was
wrong. but | heard all that passed.
can't stay here and know ] am the son
OF a man whom | cannot call father
lie wants to make a man Of me 1t
seems; prefer to make a man of my
SELF III be better away than here for
If | should meet him | might be
tempted to blacken his eyes for him
If you can forgive, | can't and sha'n't
either See if | do But you keep
your mind easy, mother; you haven't
kissed and cuddled and preached all
that good into me for nothing, as you'll
find ont some day, and II you don't
hear from me til I come back then
just believe in me all the more, even
If ! am the towns terror Your loving
son, ALEC"
Alas, alas, this was the hitterest blow
OF all She had said life had compen-
sations that she had her boy where