Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-07-01
CHATTER XVII. -(CoNTINunD.l

'ticed that Pearl was listening now with
sudden wonder in hes face.
80 mother; she is aot here"
"You must bring her to me; prom
Ne me, Amos"
when she comes, will bring her
10 you"
I have something to say 20 her
and to you. / once wronged her in my
thoughts, and want to ask her for
giveness. She has behaved to me like
true loving daughter while you have
been away, and has given me money
egularly-though doubt she is trou-
bled in her mind about you, Heed
what say, my son. All the tales
whispered about her were false. She
n better than gold-she Is as true as
steel, and I misjudged her."
My breath came and went quickly,
and Pearl urged me to lie down and
rest.
~ will watch over your mother" she
baid, with a strange flush on her face,
who spoken" cried my mother,
striving to rise In bed, "You told me
Mabel was not here"
.'Neither is she, mother"
"She is. You can't deceive me, blind
~ am. 1t was Mabels voice heard"
The wonder expressed in Pearls face
grew and grew.
May" said /, there is no one in the
room but you, l, and a little maid
I'm fond Of Speak to my mother,
Pearl"
Can I do anything for your" asked
Pearl, timidly.
saw that my dear old mother was
wandering in her mind, and l whis-
pered to Pearl to humor her.
~ you think l have anything to
brgive," said Pearl, in low, trem-
bling voice, and with difficulty re-
Strainiag her tears, II forgive you"
"The Lord bless you and my son!"
murmured my mother; and the1 APP
peared to sink to sleep.
crept softly to the room below,
with hope and remorse newly born in
my heart Pearl followed me a mo-
ment afterward. She gazed at me tim
idly, wistfully.
"May l ask you a question:" she
said.
eyes, my child"
''Who is Mabel, and why is my voice
IKE hers:"
mabel is my wife, dear child"
ut was my poor mothers name"
said Pearl, her tears flowing. "She
was a sailors wife, and my father
was drowned. That is why hate the
Aea. Hush! l heard a cry outside! 1t
Is woman's voicew
She was Fastening to the door, when
I gently prevented her, and bid her
90 to my mother.
"And If you love me, dear child"
Isaid, as tenderly embraced her, "do
dot come down until / summon you.
Nay, ask no more questions now. l
will explain All to you before long"
After but moments hesitation she
vent slowly upstairs. Then l myself
Threw open the street-door.
also heard the cry; and the instinct
Vt affection, or remorse, led me to sus-
pect from whose overcharged bosom
1t had proceeded.
My instinct guided me Alright, Out
Nde by the window woman crouched,
hiding her face from me.
Mabel" 1 said.
AT the sound of my voice the woman
crouched lower and lower, with sobs
that might have come from q broken
Aeart.
Mabel" said again, you need not
fear me now. My passion is spent"
An unexpected note Of tenderness in
my voice gave her courage to raise her
head-to rise from the ground, and
face me.
Forgive me; oh, forgive mel" she
said, holding out her arms imploringly,
but should have died had stopped
away. You spoke Of a child-P PEARL
whom you saved from the wreck, and
who is here with you! II you were
not hooking me, II you have a spark
0f mercy in your breast, let me see her!
Oh, my heart, my heart!"
Hush! you will alarm her! l have
heard strange things tonight, and we
must speak plainly to each other, with
put reservation and without suspicion
Come inside"
drew her into the room, and once
mOre--oh, thank God! once more!--
single roof covered all ! had loved in
the world.
bid her sit down by the fire, and to
speak in a low tone.
my mother is abed, and perhaps at
the point Of death. The child l spoke
Of is with her. Mabel, this is the most
solemn moment of our lives. II I have
wronged you-and l pray to God that
l have!-I will do my best to make
Rtonement. Tell me your story, and
as you believe there is a God in heav-
an. speak the truth"
CtIT pTED XXyyTTY