Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-12-02

Ana soon AFTER, the three visitors
arose to depart. They took a respect.
full leave Of Mrs. Greville. and then
went to shake hands with their late
captive.
''Good evening, Master Greville! We
hope to see you at school again after
the Christmas holidays" said the cler-
gyman.
when all that Is disagreeable to be
rem embered shall be forgotten" added
the professor.
And twill depend upon yourself
whether you are happy with us or
not" concluded the schoolmaster.
And with three more deep bows to
the lady of the house, they withdrew.
"And now, my darling, that they are
gone, and We are quite alone. tell me
why you LETT the school where placed
you:' said the lady, affectionately put
ting her white and jewelled hand upon
his rough head.
But the fish boz did not reply.
IF you have received just cause for
dissatisfaction, would it not have beer
better to have remained for few days
longer, until my return from Europe.
which you know was hourly expected?
But let that pass. And now that we
have met, tell me. tell your mother all
about it,"
MY lady, you are not my mother,
no more nor the Queen o. Sheba is!"
said the fish boy, sorrowfully.
"Oh, Fulke! Fulke! ungrateful boy!
| how can you speak to me in that cruel
way?" said the lady. with tears in her
| eyes.
How can 1 help it? It's the truth,
my lady! you are not my mother! 1
wish you vast"
Wish l was? Well. l am, Fulke!
that is, l am all the same. And am
sure have never let you know the diff.
ference. Have l now, Fulke?"
The fish boy was so touched by her
plaintive voice and tender look, that
he answered evaSively. and referring
only to the present time:
Il know you try to be mother to
ne, my lady"
Yes! do not. boy? But leave Off
calling me my lady, you absurd fellow!
Where did you ever pick up such
habit? Yes. Fulke. ever since l mar
ried your father, when you We're but
three years old, I have taken you to
my heart of hearts and cherished you
even as my own child. Didn't you and
Lois share one nursery. one school
room. Were not you and she like the
truest brother aaG sister, although you
We're the son OF Mr.. Grevilles first wife
and she the daughter of my first hus-
band? 1t used to delight us both to
see how fond you We're of each other
in those childish days, before it became
necessary to send you to separate
schools. Oh, Fulke. don't you often
think of those happy days of infancy?"
The fish boy did not reply. He was
thinking of the days of his infancy. in
deed, an infancy passed first in the
arms of the tramps and beggars of
Westminster and afterwards sus-
tanned by the crusts and bones thrown
to him. as to a little stray dog, by his
poor neighbors.
"And in all those days, Fulke. do you
remember one single instance in which
l treated my own child better than
you?"
The fish boy did not remember any
thing about the matter, and he said SO.
and after your poor father died,
did l not continue to treat his orphan
son with as much tenderness as l
gave to my own daughter? You know
1 did,"
The fish boy could not deny it, since
he knew nothing about it, and the lady
continued:
And when, a year ago, my failing
health rendered it necessary for me to
relieve myself of all family cares and
go to Europe, did not wish to take you
and my daugter with me? But your
guardian. Mr.. Courtney, objected to
your leaving the United States. and
requested that you might remain at
school? And then, when l placed you
at the Collegiate School, did not give
up the idea of taking my own daugh-
ter with me, who would have been a
great comfort to me, indeed. and did
not place her at ladies' boarding
school here, so that she could be near
you and see you often? And, oh. Fullle,
what could mother do for son more
than that?"
''Nothink," answered the fish boy,
will: tears in his eyes-tears called up
by the recollection that he had no
mother to do anything for him.
Then, my dear, dear boy, why do
you wound me by saying that am not
your own mamma, only your step
mOther?"
''Ay lady, you mistake! never said
as how you were my step-mother.
Cause you're nyther my mother, nor
yet my Slep-mOtueF. ! WISH 10 the
great goodness alive as how you was!
Boo-hoo-oo," blubbered+ the fish boy.
grinding his greasy cuffs into his over
flowing eyes.
These words were sossmothcred and
drowned in sobs and tears that their
meaning scarcely reached the lady's
sense She drew his hands aside from
his tear-stained face and said:
There, do not cry; did not mean to
hurt your feelings. But do not ever
leave me again, my deur dear boy!
Oh! think what an event to meet me
on my return to my native shores! 1,
all eagerness to see you and your Sis
ter, called at your school before COM
ing to my own house, and there, to my
astonishment and terror, was met with
the news that you had eloped! Be
tween that time and this, l thought 1
should have died Of fright and ankle
ty and suspense! But there. all is over
now, and all forgiven! Only. for my
peace, promise you will never leave me
again without my consent, Fulke, at
least while you are a minor. Promise
your mother"
''My lady, would promise you any
thing TO nlpase Won: but one little word