The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-10-06

her babes had just left after one of
their frequent gleeful visits, and she
was resting in preparation for the next
event. Her music was open on the
piano, and her plotting book on the
writing table; but her attention was
wholly taken up with certain patterns
of laces and silks and velvets that were
spread before her. She was evidently
choosing a dress or dresses for some
| important occasion, and she fingered
one pattern after another with linger-
ing care. Anna had always been hand
some, but she was handsomer now than
ten years back, and to-day, with an ex-
preston of gentle contentment upon
her face, she looked particularly well.
| She was so entirely engrossed in the
train of thought with which the silks
and laces were associated that she did
not notice the sound of footsteps COM
| ing through the garden, and started
when Mary ushered into the room "a
gentleman to speak to you, Miss Anna"
With flush of surprise on her beauti-
fnl face, she turned to encounter her old
lover James Darlington.
| There is some mistake, 1 think" she
said, drawing herself back haughtily
after the first shock of establishment
had passed. You can scarcely have
wished to see me-
There is no mistake" answered
James. II have come across the world
for that purpose. They tell me you are
still Miss Edgar"
"That is perfectly correct, but fail
to see what concern it is of yours
| now," she cried, with emphasis.
II have come across the world, as l
said, to seek you out, and ask if you
have forgiven me for what happened
ten years ago, Anna. This is my only
child" he said. pointing to little girl
| in a mourning frock, who hung shyly
| behind him.
Anna looked curiously at the child of
the woman who had supplanted her.
| She bore a softened resemblance to her
| mother, but in her face was strange
expression indicative of Anna knew not
what.
Indeed" said Anna, and paused in
quiringly.
81 have brought her with me-" re-
sumed James; ''she is all l have. 1t is
| almost two years since she lost her
mother
"And you probably wish her to be
educated in England. 1 am sorry to
hear of your loss; it is great charge
to be left with SO young child to
train"
Anna was aware that she spoke
stif1y and indifferently, but she was
still in the dark as to the meaning of
the present interview, and she resented
what she looked upon as an unwar-
rantable intrusion.
II brought her with me because
could not do without the only creature
I have belonging to me, and, besides,
want to show her to an English doctor.
Anna, you do not know what my lone
illness is, and how i'll can bear to be
alone. l never could bear to be by my
self. 1t 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 1 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
ried her. Then you came out, two
months too late, and it broke my heart,
Anna, for it was you always that l
loved"
"Hush!" exclaimed Anna, aghast, as
he ended with an appeal in his voice.
This is scarcely fit talk before your
wife's daughter"
do you not know he said, bitterly,
''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 the
child's face.
1T is a heavy trial to her and to 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. am
a rich man now in everything but hap
piness; 1 can give you all the luxuries
you were born to, and if you do not
/ choose to go to Australia 1 will sell my
property there and purchase an estate
where you please in England"
Anna had released the child, and now
stood proudly confronting its father.
81 am exceedingly glad to hear Of your
prosperity; it must surpass even your
expectations, and / trust that you may
long enjoy it. But, as said at the be-
ginning, you have made mistake; your
presence here is uncalled for"
81 KNOW" said James, earnestly,
''that you must even yet feel sore and
angry when you think of my treatment