The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-08-27
w.
BY BL.FARJEON.
INTERNATIONAL Pn1as ASSOCIATION.


1t startled me to hear her speak of
my wife in a tone of love, and I no
ticed that Pearl was listening now with
a sudden wonder in her face.
mo mother; she is not here"
'You must bring her to me; prom
lse me, Amos"
when she comes, I will bring her
to you"
IT have something to say to her
and to you. once wronged her in my
thoughts, and 1 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 1 doubt she is trou-
bled in her mind about you. Heed
what I say, my son. All the tales
whispered about her were false. She
Is better than gold-she is as true as
steel, and / misjudged her."
My breath came and went quickly,
and Pearl urged me to lie down and
rest
81 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
rs 1 am, it was Mabel's voice I heard"
The wonder expressed in Pearls face
grew and grew.
may" said I, there is no one in the
room but you, 1, and little maid
I'm fond Of. Speak to my mother,
PEARL"
Can do anything for you?" asked
Pearl, timidly.
I saw that my dear old mother was
wandering in her mind, and 1 whis-
pered to Pearl to humor her.
"If you think I have anything to
forgive" said Pearl, in a low, trem-
bling voice, and with difficulty re-
straining her tears, II forgive you"
"The Lord bless you and my SOM"
murmured my mother; and then ap-
peared to sink to sleep.
I 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 ask you a question:" she
said.
yes, my child"
"Who is Mabel, and why is my voice
like hersoo'
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
sea. Hush! I heard cry outside 1t
Is a woman's voicew
She was Fastening to the door, when
I gently prevented her, and bid her
so to my mother.
"And if you love me, dear child"
said, as tenderly embraced her, edo
not come down until 1 summon you.
Nay, ask no more questions now. 1
will explain all to you before long"
After but a moments hesitation she
went slowly upstairs. Then 1 myself
threw open the street-door.
also heard the cry; and the instinct
OF affection, or remorse, led me to sus-
pect from whose overcharged bosom
1t had proceeded.
My instinct guided me Alright. Out
side by the window woman crouched.
hiding her face from me.
Mabel" said.
At the sound Of my voice the woman
crouched lower and lower, with sobs
that might have come from a broken
heart.
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-Pearl!-
whom you saved from the wreck, and
who is here with you! If you were
not hooking me, If you have a spark
of mercy in your breast, let me see her!
oh, my heart, my hearth"
Hush! you will alarm her! l have
heard strange things tonight, and we
must speak plainly to each other, with
out reservation and without suspicion.
Come inside"
/ drew her into the room, and once
more-oh, thank God! once more!-a
single roof covered all 1 had loved in
the world.
I 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 1 spoke
Of is with her. Mabel, this is the most
solemn moment of our lives. II have
wronged you-and I pray to God that
/ have!-I will do my best to make
atonement. Tell me your story, and
as you believe there is q God in heav-
en-, speak the truth"
CHAPTER XVIII.