Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-06-17
BY BG.FHRJEON.


factory, l am sure. to him, and quite
as satisfactory to me. Had he asked
me double the sum he named, would
have given 1t willingly. So there l
was once more in the old house at
home. To have obtained one of my
wishes thus easily was an omen of
good luck.
You are mistress here my dear
child" said to Pearl: and explained
to her how everything used to be ar
ranged in the old times. and what
pride we took in the shells which my
father and l had brought home. She
listened attentively, as though she was
learning a lesson. and after giving me
a dozen kisses. became excitedly and
delightfully."- busy. l told her to en-
gage girl to assist her in the cottage.
and upon her saying she did not want
one. l replied that 1t was. necessary
as l should be a great deal away from
home for few days.
Il must find my mother. Pearl"
l said. Il must not lose an hour"
But my inquiries appeared likely to
lead to no satisfactory result. until an
old man told me that l might learn
something II l could find the address
Of woman who had lived In the
neighborhood for few weeks some
eight or nine years ago. he thought.
and who got her living by her needle.
Or tried to get her living. l should
say" he added in correction. land
didn't succeed. Leastways. no ono
about here would employ her. and she
was out Of favor with everybody"
| ,hnt =
you had better ask the woman"
said the man; I'm not good at title
tattling."
I did not follow his advice. having
had enough In my time of gossiping
women's tongues. did more SEN
sible thing. I went at once to pri-
vate detective. and placed the matter
In his hands. promising to reward him
literally II he succeeded. OF my
mother I gave full particulars: of the
woman who would be likely to give in
formation of her could supply him
only with the slight clue which I had
gained from the old man.
Leave 1t to me-" said he: I'll find
one cr both in three days, IL they're to
be found at ALL
| I had no doubt but that this was a
boast: yet. for once n boaster's word
was good. He came to me on the
night Of the third day.
Pearl and I were sitting in the little
parlor at Brixton. II was then ten
o'clock at night. and heavy Novem-
Der fog enveloped the streets In dark
ness. Inside 1t was bright enough.
4 cheerful fire was blazing, and the
room was warm and cozy. Everything
In the house was arranged by my lit
tie maids hands exactly as II used to
be when l was n boy. Not word
referring to the past dropped from my
lips but was treasured up by Pearl,
and, II practicable. acted upon. She
had commenced the practice OF reading
aloud to me of n night, and she was
thus occupied on this night, when I
suddenly desired her to read no more.
The story Jared upon me: 1t appeared
to me to have been written but with
one purpose in view-to show the
character of woman in It's vainest and
most frivolous light.
"You don't like it, said Pearl !;
neither do /. Could anything make
you believe that women are as bad as
| the 1utnOT nakeS out.
l sighed as replied, my expert
ences OF women would have turned me
utterly against them but for you. my
dear, and for the memory OF my un-
selfish old mother. who loved me too
we'll, and whom l repaid with harsh
ness and ingratitude."
As l spoke It struck me as strange
that It was in this very parlor that l
had come into close and loving connec-
ton with the women who played an
active part in my life. Here had l
enjoyed the sweetness OF fond moth
cr's love; here had l seen Mabel for
the first time as n child and often
afterward. when she had grown into
n fair beautiful woman: here had l
learned how she had betrayed me; and
here I now sat with Pearl. who had in
a measure restored my faith, and
brought comfort to my bruised heart.
1t was on Mabel as n child that my
thoughts chiefly dwelt, and on the
happy time when l used to speak to
her of the voices of the shells. Could
l hear them now. what would they say
to me? l placed one to my ear. and
with closed eyes listened to the nweet,
confused murmur. There was har-
mony in 1t. but no design; presently.
however. came something that was
clear to me. In the midst of the soft
murmur few words of Mabel's IA
vorite song shaped themselves. and
heard her sweet and false voice sing
ing to me. I'm faith abiding, I'll
still be true Ah me! In those
words she had sworn to be faithful to
me. How had that vow been kept?
CHAPTER XXVI,
~~ T AROUSED myself