The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-10-07

educated in England. am ssorry to
hear Of your loss; It is great charge
to be left with 50 young q child to
train"
Anna was aware that she spoke
stifay and indifferently, but she was
still in the dark as to the meaning of
the present interview, and she resented
what she looked upon % an unwar-
rantable intrusion
II brought her with me because I
could not do without the only creature
have belonging to me, and, besides, I
want to show her to an English doctor.
Anna, you do not know what my lone
illness is. and how i'll I can bear to be
alone. I never could bear to be by my
self. It was that that brought about
what you must look on as my treachery
toward you. You know how 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
met with Jessie. She told you all
about it; she was good to me and mar
Isried her. Then you came 3out, two
months too late, and 1t broke my heart,
Anna, for it was. you always that
loved" &
"Hush!" exclaimed Anna, aghast, as
he ended with an appeal in his voice.
s''This is scarcely fit talk before your
| wife's daughter."
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 tho
child's face. Y
1T is q heavy trial to her and 10 me,
and she has no mother. Anna, i 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. 1 am
rich man now in every thing but hap
piness; can give you all the luxuries
you were born to, and If you do not
choose to go to Australia I will sell my
property there and purchase an estate
where you please in England" i
Anna had released the child, and now
stood proudly confronting its father.
liam exceedingly glad to hear Of your
prosperity; it must surpass even your
expectations, and trust that you may
long enjoy it. But, as I said at the be-
ginning, you have'made a. mistake; your
presence here is uncalled for"
II know said James, earnestly,
shat you must even yet feel sore and
angry when you think of my treatment
of you; but you do not realize how much
too have undergone. Jessie was a good
woman, a good wife, but she was not
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 carried in my heart,
and it is you that have come back to
| seek. Anna, if you are still angry with
me, will you not have compassion on the
child? Think of her helplessness, for
what am as guardian to that little
thing? Women are always tender
hearted, and the child has never Of
Tended you. Think of her need and my
need, and of how have loved you al
ways" .~... "..>
"And betrayed me- said Anna; but
he: went on unheeding her. i
"And how I love you still. Will you
not yield? You are still Anna Edgar"
Il am" said she, blushing in spite Of
herself; ''but here is DIR. Wilberforce. 1
had better refer you to him, for this day
month I shall be Mrs. Wilberfore."
"Anna, Anna! am too late? Have I
come across the world in search of you
in vain?''
"You forget, perhaps" she answered
colby, ''that there was a time when you
led me across theworld in search of you
in. vain: loved you once, but I am only
woman, and if Iswere weak enough to
love you still should scarcely have
courage to risk a second betrayal
She stood before him, proud and pros
porous and happy, aid if she had de-
sired revenge for her past wrongs she
had it in that hour.-N.Y Y. Ledger.
|