The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-11-06
ful face, she turned to encounter her old

fnl face, she turned to encounter hsr old
lover James Darlington.
There is some mistake, l think, she
said, drawing herself back haughtily
after the first shock of astonishment
had passed. "You can scarcely have
wished to see me-"
ssThcre is no mistake" answered
James. IT have come across the world
forYtbat purpose. They tell me you are
still Mss Edgar"
THAT is perfectly correct, but ! fail
to see what concern it Is OF yours
now" she cried, with emphasis.
81 have come ACROSS the world, a. /,
said, to seek you out, and ask If you
have forgiven me for what happened
ten years ago, Anna. This isimy only
child" he said, pointing to little girl
in mourning frock, who hung sAyly
behind him. ~
Anna looked curiously at the child OF
the woman who had supplanted her.
She bore softened resemblance to her
mother, but in her face was strange
expression Indicative of Anna knew not
what. s..s s s.
Indeed" said Anna, and paused in
quiringly.
II have brought her with me-" re-
sumed James; "she is all have. 1t is
almost two years since she lost her
mother"
"And you probably wish her to be
educated in England. am sorry to
hear of your loss; it is great charge
to be left with 30 young a child to
train" tr1&
Anna was aware that she spoke
stifiy and indifferently, but she was
still in the dark as to the meaning Of
the present interview, and she resented
what she looked upon as an snwar
rantable intrusion nrfs
81 brought her with me because i
could not do without the only creature
l have belonging to me, and, besides, ]
want to show her to an English doctor.
Anna, you do not know what my lone
illness is, and how i'll can bear to be
alone. I never could bear to be by my
self. 1t was that that brought about
what you must look on as my treachery
toward you. You know how I urged
you to come out to me, and how you
would still wait till could come to
fetch you. 1t was too lonely, and then
I met with Jessie. She told you all
about it; she was good to me and mar
ried her. Then you came out, two
months too late, and it broke my heart,
Anna, for it was you always that
loved" r asH ro
"Hush!" exclaimed Anna, aghast, as
he ended with an appeal in his voice,
''This Is scarcely at talk before youa
wife's daughter" ~ sts:.,ss lssnssfk
do you not know" he said, bitterly,
1.-The child is stone deaf? The same ca
lamity that deprived me of her mother
took away her hearing. We may say
what we choose before her; she only
knows what we say on our fingers"
"Poor little soul!" said Anna, sud.
denly relenting toward the mute LITTLE
figure, and taking her into her friendly
arms. She understood now the strange
expression that she had noticed on the
child's face.
1T is a heavy trial to her and to me
and she has no mother. Anna, have
come to see If you can be won to forgive
me the past and take the place now that
you have always had in my heart. lam
a rich man now in everything but hap
piness; can give you allethe luxuries
you. were born to, and if you do no,
choose to go to Australia will sell my
property there and purchase an estate
where you please in England"
Anna had released the child, and now
stood proudly confronting its father.
"Iam exceedingly glad to hear of you
prosperity; it must surpass even your
expectations, and trust that you may
long enjoy it. But, as said at the be
ginning. you have made mistake; you
presence here is uncalled for"
II know" said James, earnestly
that you must even yet feel sore and
angry when you think of my Treatment
of you; but you do not realize how mucl
too have undergone. Jessie was a GOOD
woman, good wife, but she was mo-
the woman that i loved"
More shame for YOU" interrupted
Anna.
James put up his hand imploringly.
"You speak truly; but it was you
you always that 1 carried in my heart
and it is YOU that / have come back Il
seek. Anna, il you are still angry will
me, win you not have compassion ON thu
child? Think of her helplessness, TO
what am as guardian to that it'll
thing? Women are always tender
hearted, and the child has never of
Tended you. Think of her need and M,
need, and of how ! have loved You al
ways"
And betrayed me-" said Anna; bu