Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-06-25

CHATTER AANu.-tCONTlNuED'|
It startled me to hear her speak OF
my wife in tone of love, and l no.
ticed that Pearl was listening now with
= sudden wonder in her face.
no mother; she is not here"
''You must bring her to me; prom
Be me. Amos
when she comes, will bring her
to you"
81 have something to say to her
and to you. once wronged her in my
thoughts, and l 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
regularly--though l doubt she is trou-
bled in her mind about you. Heed
what / say, my son. All the tales
whispered about her were false. She
Is better than gold-she is as true as
steel, and misiudged her"
NY breath came and went quickly,
and Pearl urged me to lie down and
rest.
"I will watch over your mother" she
said, with a strange flush on her face.
"Who spoke?" 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
IS am, it was Mabel's voice heard"
The wonder expressed in Pearls face
grew and grew.
"Nay," said l, there is no one in the
room but you, l, and a little maid
I'm fond of. Speak to my mother,
Pearl"
Can 1 do anything for you?" asked
Pearl, timidly.
saw that my dear old mother was
wandering in her mind, and 1 whis-
aered to Pearl to humor her.
IF you think l have anything to
,Drgive," said Pearl, in a low, trem-
bling voice, and with difficulty re-
straining her tears, Il forgive you"
"The Lord bless you and my SOM"
'murmured my mother; and then ap-
peared to sink to sleep.
l 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.
Yes, my child"
who is Mabel, and why is my voice
like hers:'
Mabel Is my wife, dear child"
at was my poor mothers name"
said Pearl, her tears flowing. "She
was sailors wife, and my father
was drowned. That is why hate the
1ea. Hush! l heard cry outside! 1t
rs woman's voice"
She was Fastening to the door, when
gently prevented her, and bid her
go to my mother.
and if you love me, dear child"
said, as i tenderly embraced her, edo
not come down until I 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.
I also heard the cry; and the instinct
VI affection, or remorse, led me to sus-
pect from whose overcharged bosom
1t had proceeded.
Ny instinct guided me Alright. Out
Vde by the window a woman crouched
hiding her face from me.
Mabel" l said.
AT the sound of my voice the woman
crouched lower and lower, with sobs
chat might have come from a broken
heart
Mabel" said again, you need moi
fear me now. My passion is spent
An unexpected note of tenderness in
my voice gave her courage to raise hei
head-to rise from the ground, and
face me.
Forgive me; oh, forgive mel" she
said, holding out her arms imploringly
but l should have died had stopped
away. You spoke of a child-Pearl!-
whom you saved from the wreck, ant
who is here with you! If you were
not hooking me, if you have sparl
OF mercy in your breast, let me see her
Oh, my heart, my heart!"
HUSH. yOu Will dldIu ueT. 1 nave
heard strange things tonight, and W.
must speak plainly to each other, with
out reservation and without suspicion
Come inside"
L drew her into the room, and onc'
more-oh, thank God! once more!-;
single roof covered all 1 had loved il
the world
I bid her sit down by the fire, and tt
speak in low tone.
"My mother is abed, and perhaps a
the point of death. The child l spok
Of Is with her. Mabel, this is the mos
solemn moment of our lives. If hav
wronged you-and l pray to God tina
have!-I will do my best to max
atonement. Tell me your story, an
as you believe there is God in heav
en-. speak the truth"
CuA pTER XVIII