Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-04-15
BY B.G.FXRJEON.
CHAPTER X.-(coxr,su.p.) }

CHAPTER X.-CoNTINuEp.)
placed my mother in chair, and
covered my eyes with my hands. All
doubt. all fear. was gone. Then. kneel-
ing by my mothers side. said. in a
tone tremulous from Joy while the hap
py tears ran down my face:
Il must go to them at once, mother.
What would you have thought II. when
my own dear father. your husband.
came home. never having seen his son.
he had dallied with the time, as l am
doing now, instead Of Fastening to your
side to embrace You and your child?
All, be just to me-and to Mabel! Can
you imagine that l am not hungering
for sight of my child and my darling
wife? All. you have filled my heart
with joy! Remember what we said to
each other when ! was last at home.
There is no happiness without love
none. 1t is true, 1t Is true! The world
would be hell, II love did not exist In
1t. 1t is heaven to me now. So. you see
that l must go without a moments de-
lay. Be happy till return. l will run
back soon, and tell you that all is well.
Nay, do not fear for me, mother. l will
be cautious with Mabel: I will take care
that do not frighten her: though 1t
would be a thousand times better II you
would go in first and break the news
gently to her. Are you equal to It?
Will you render this service to the son
that loves you as l love you. my old
mother-will you be strong for my
sake? You WILL know you will! Here
here is your bonnet and shawl. Never
mind the snow; I'll carry you through
1t. I'm strong enough to carry two
such fond. foolish mothers. and never
feel the weight. have a child-thank
God. have a child! Come, mother,
hasten, hasten: or l must go without
you."
She made no movement In response
to my appeal. The bonnet and shawl
I had thrust into her hand fell to the
ground.
Gracious Lordw I heard her mur-
mur, "how shall tell him? How shall
break the news to him?"
A film came into my eyes. and all my
fears returned with terrible force. In
another moment my mood had changed.
Mother" said I, in savage. impa-
tient tone, "in the name Of my dead ia
ther, I command you to speak plainly
to mel!
"Oh, Amos, my son." she asked, with
infinite tenderness and pity. ARE you
strong enough to bear it,"
60 on. My WIFE"
was not worthy Of you. was not
worthy Of my son! All, me-" she
moaned, wringing her hands. why
did bring her into this house? But
she was child then, and thought her
innocent and pure"
A strange calmness came upon me.
"If you do not wish me to curse the
tongue that casts doubt upon my
wife's purity, be silent. and speak not
another word. Ay. II an angel on this
holy Christmas night said to me what
you have said, would curse him as he
stood before me. l am going now to
Mabel's house."
made for the door, but my mother
strove to hinder me from my purpose.
crying:
stop, for mercy's sake, Amos! Your
wife Is not there"
"Ill see for myself" muttered. dog
gedly. "Ill give neither Mabel nor my
child cause to throw reproaches in my
teeth for lack OF faith or love. I'll stop
to hear no more enigmas."
walked swiftly through the snow to
Mabel's house. looking neither to the
right nor the left. 1t might have been
the brightest summers night, instead
of the bleakest and dreariest, for all the
notice took of 1t. knocked loudly at
the door, and almost Immediately more
loudly still, in my impatience; and
presently I received rough greeting
in voice that was strange to me. A
dog in the back garden began to bark
furiously, and I heard him tearing at
his chain.
who's there?" cried a man from the
window above. which had been partly
raised.
at is I, Amos Beecroft," I answered,
bewlldered by the strange voice.
Interesting to you, doubtless" said
the man, "but not SO to me. II you,
Amos Beecroft, don't take yourself OFF
instantly, I'll let loose the dog and
rouse the police. You've mistaken the
house, my man."
"One moment" I cried-'one mo-
. IT,.
know my name
II do not
81 am sea-faring man. and have just
arrived home after an absence Of three
years. was supposed to be drowned
| -
What is that to me?"
Nothing, l know. But listen," i'm
plored, for the window ratified as
though he were about to close 1t in my
face. "My wife shared the general i'm
preston, and believes that l am dead.
have only just come home, do you
hear? My wife lived in this cottage
when left. I have come here to see
her"
had no strength to proceed further.
THAT may or may not be-" was the
reply. But I am the owner OF
this house now, and have occt-
pied 1t for year and half, and
no woman lives with me. Women! !!
/ have had enough of women! A
false, brazen lot! You've got your an